My thoughts on the concept of the SE5 Design

[Suicide Junkie]

The "dummy" or prototype mod folders would be like that, yeah.

Including the whole mod would make the patch sizes way too big. But advertising their existence wouldn't hurt at all.

[President_Elect_Shang]

Using a dummy system would be great. It would avoid all the issues of keeping updates running. Excluding certain mods so only particular ones are included shows favoritism and elitism and would automatically negate the validity of such a noble endeavor. For example which of you two play my SFTC or Lite? Have you even tried it yet? Does that mean I would be included or excluded? Anyone who applies to have a dummy folder for their mod should be allowed to participate. Otherwise who amongst us is so qualified as to determine who can be included and who can't? Using a dummy system; as you point out SJ, will keep the download times down... short(?). Now this is only for mods, images and the like shouldn't be included. Well maybe UI improvements too.

Anyway we agree that it should be a dummy system for mods. Now SJ how can a system like that be implemented so it takes Aaron virtually zero effort? how is this for tossing ideas out. Sticky post here, SpaceEmpires, and whatever the other "official" site is asks for modders to place a dummy folder with a good link in it. Then just before the next patch a few of us round them up and paste them to the Beta site. Finally Aaron copies them into the update, zips it up, and poof off it goes? What kind of plan is that, where are the holes, how can it be made better? Final thought. Is there a way that the link can be built into the Mod_Definition.txt? This may be shooting to high so blame it on my lack of technical knowledge. What I have in mind is the player downloads the update with the dummy folders and a "dummy Mod_Definition.txt". When they start SE5 they see the selection screen and if they click on the duumy mod it gives a short description (this part would need to be limited to a certain number of characters) and also a link to the download site. How feasible is that?

[Fyron]

It wasn't about favoritism or elitism... geeze. I was referring more to the "basic" mods like balance mod. That mod could be included in whole in a patch, as it isn't very big (needs no images, for example).

[Suicide Junkie]

Near zero effort:
- The patch adds a folder and places a mod definition text file in it.
- Repeat for each submitted mod.

And for best effect, submit a modified title pic along with your description which makes it clear that the mod needs to be installed still. Such as a standardized red border with "download from XYZ.com" across the bottom.

[President_Elect_Shang]

How would we pull all the dummy files together? Wouldn't we need a site for the modders to drop their work, or two, or three? Then it gets picked up by you or me or another volunteer and moved to where; the Beta site? SJ I think you have already figured it all out but you need to spell it out for the rest of us. How about an example dummy folder with the altered pic you are talking about, can you do an example and place it here please?

Fyron what are the "basic" mods and who decides that a mod is basic? What if a new mod comes along is that basic? Or are you referring only to Kwok Stock? Which pretty much null and voids SJ's entire idea. Define what you mean and who will sit on the panel or council or whatever to decide a mod is basic? My cat Tom is volunteering for the duty but I never will be part of a system that says "I'm sorry your work just isn't good enough to be 'basic'. Maybe next time ol' chap!"

[Captain Kwok]

I say when SE:V Deluxe is release, include a bunch of user created gametypes on the disc. I wouldn't bother with the pseudo gametype entries that point to the mod download sites - leave it up to the mod author to advertise their stuff.

[Suicide Junkie]

I imagine an "email Aaron with this stuff attached when you want you mod to be added to the list" system

[President_Elect_Shang]

Suicide Junkie said:
I imagine an "email Aaron with this stuff attached when you want you mod to be added to the list" system

Oh, that is simple. I wonder if Aaron would actually add it or forget to. I was looking for a more "error free" system?

[Fyron]

I should note that the suggestion to directly include a few basic mods was not in any way related to the idea of mod stubs, and can happily coeexist with it.

[President_Elect_Shang]

Edited: Misunderstanding about what should be included. The stubs or full mods or both. Full mods should not to keep download times of the patches short. Only stubs.