My reservation with using this approach is that it limits use to NTFS file systems only (which btw is not
quite the same as saying "it will work only on Windows 2000 and later" - I do know of XP users with FAT32 file systems, for example
). Admittedly though, this is prolly not as much of an issue now as it was two and half years ago when SH3Cmdr was first developed.
The other problem you have is that creating backup files *within* the SH3 structure has been known to cause crashes, regardless of whether you change the file name *or* the extension.
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Originally Posted by Kar
I dont know if I will continue developping this program. I do not want to create another SH3 commander actually Ill be happy if author of SH3 commander implement this function into Sh3 commander.
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As SH3Cmdr is a stand-alone application, and thus can be installed wherever the user wants, implementing a hardlink approach would run the risk of breakage if the user attempted to run SH3Cmdr on a different volume to SH3 (I know numerous SH3Cmdr/SH3 users that do this), let alone run it on one that is not NTFS. I could try and force a "must be installed onto the same volume or drive as your SH3", but, like, yeah, that will be followed by all.
Using hardlinks is definately a way of increasing loading times and has the advantage of not requiring any physical file moves (that is a big plus), but IMHO the disadvantages of compatibility and likely user confusion (it would need extensive explanation, and explanation better than Wikipedia's
) outweigh the advantages. For example, this approach could be considered
similar to Vista's "File virtualization", which as many readers here will have observed, has been a bane of existance for many Vista users.
But a good idea nonetheless, and one I'll keep in mind for if SH3 players consider this a "must have" tool.
I'm sure I could build in a test to determine the file system and handle accordingly (well, I *know* I could
).
To that end, you may like to take your idea to Potoroo who is developing an SH4 version of SH3Cmdr, called SH4 Skipper. With SH4 being a newer game, requiring newer computers etc, the advantages of this approach may actually outweigh the disadvantages. But then again, loading speed may not be as big an issue either.
:hmm:
PS: It may have been more appropriate for you to at least contact me prior to just "hacking" at SH3Cmdr. Kinda poor form I'm afraid.
