A standard! A standard!

Ed Kolis · #1 January 11th, 2003, 01:07 AM

Anyone find it annoying how when you download a shipset you have to check where the files will unzip to because sometimes they unzip to the current directory, sometimes they create a subdirectory under the current directory, and sometimes they create a whole directory structure that looks like a pared-down Version of the SE4 directory? What we need is a standard so when you create a shipset you do things one way and when someone downloads it they don't have to go guessing as to where the files will appear!

Rant off.

Fyron · #2 January 11th, 2003, 01:35 AM

Don't use the wizard of WinZip, and you'll be fine.

DavidG · #3 January 11th, 2003, 01:41 AM

I agree. So what should that standard be? I think the most common way I've noticed is that you extract them to the SE4 root directory. Actually since peaople may have SE4 installed in defferent direcotries that is probably the only standard that makes sense.??

Suicide Junkie · #4 January 11th, 2003, 01:46 AM

It seems to me the only two methods that would make sense are:

1) extract to SE4 directory
2) extract to new modfolder in SE4 directory.

#1 is safer as long as the zip follows the standard.
#2 is safer as long as the user remembers what he has to do, and works no matter what the zip's format is. (At worst, you'd need to move the files wholesale after unzipping)

Mephisto · #5 January 11th, 2003, 02:38 AM

Use an installer?

I can post a link for the setup suit and my setup script for the TDM-Installer if anyone is interested.

Fyron · #6 January 11th, 2003, 03:27 AM

Installers suck big time Mephisto.

Gandalph · #7 January 11th, 2003, 04:11 AM

I, personally, prefer it when the race folder is listed. I know well enough to extract to the %install folder%\pictures\races folder.

geoschmo · #8 January 11th, 2003, 04:14 AM

My personal preferance it to have only the directory the files are actually in. The race name directory for example for a shipset. But for a mod I like the Modname folder and the data folder under that. I will put it where it needs to be thank you. But a standard to me would be useless anyway cause I will never stop checking them before extracting them.

Geoschmo

Cheeze · #9 January 11th, 2003, 06:25 AM

When installing a new race/shipset, sometimes the problems comes from how completely the creator worked on it. Some are just a shipset and generally the AI files so it can play as a computer foe. Others have list of design names and perhaps one or more empires files to go with the shipset. This would require files in different directories, so the creator was just trying to be helpful. These creators usually include a readme file to tell you how to install it, so you might try looking at the zipfile's contents before unzipping.

Gryphin · #10 January 11th, 2003, 07:35 AM

I unzip to a folder totaly separate from the game
My main game folder is: D:\SE_TDM_FQM
I unzip to > d:\SE\Races\RaceName
Then I go to whereever it unziped to
Cut it
Paste it to the ..D:\SE_...\Race
Extra steps but at least I know where everything is.
I guess a standard would be nice. I'll follow it when i am ready with my sets.