fukawi2

Wife bought me a Hornby train set several years ago. It's now totally useless because the shitty Hornby control software "expires" as soon as you install it, and activation server appears to be off-line.

Fuck proprietary software, especially when it's "required" for operation of real world things that shouldn't need it.

Anyone know suitable OSS alternatives to "Hornby Railmaster"?

Jul 16, 2023 at 6:18amWeb
Show threadFranciscoJul 16, 2023
@phs if it based on date try to set an older one before installing it. Maybe will work for a bit.
Show threadfukawi2Jul 16, 2023

@TaleQ It's supposed to be a 90-day trial - but even if that worked, it only buys me time since the activation key won't work.

Disappointing first model train experience for Mr 4. Good lesson on proprietary software though!

Show threadJustified Ancient of MoominJul 16, 2023
@phs @jpm to my knowledge Hornby and everything else uses DCC/DCC++ for the actual control of the model trains and if you have a background in Computer Touching then there are FOSS packages available to control DCC model locomotives using Arduino, Raspberry Pi and similar. As for web & app interfaces for controlling the trains I’m not as familiar.
Show threadBrian Danger HicksJul 16, 2023
@ThermiteBeGiants @phs @jpm There are several apps that use the WiThrottle protocol, but you need to either hook your DCC system up to a computer or buy the right add-on
Show threadsmikwilyJul 16, 2023

@phs Waaay out of my realm here, but found the following page. Not sure if it will be helpful or not, but including it just in case: https://uk.hornby.com/community/forum/problem-down-loading-railmaster-345519?ccm_paging_p=1

Also found this, but can't tell if it is a new system or works "with" the existing system(s): https://www.jmri.org/