[REL] JoneSoft Generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) v2.6.0 now available!

[JScones]

DOWNLOAD JSGME here in SUBSIM Downloads

v2.6.0 Latest and last version

This is the JonesSoft Generic Mod Enabler, a vital program for installing and running mods for virtually any game. It lets you install with the click of a switch, warns you of potential conflicts and uninstall them again if you don't like them.

Changes:
- Fixed: now correctly disables mods that have [ as the first character in the mod name
- Added: new enhanced game file compare feature
- Changed: snapshot/compare feature now based on MD5 sums, not date stamps

A minor update, but one that includes a number of improvements and enhancements.

If you use the snapshot/compare feature, then you will need to take a new snapshot after you install this updated version.

I RECOMMEND THAT ALL JSGME USERS UPDATE TO THIS LATEST VERSION! There are no benefits running an earlier version of JSGME.

IMPORTANT!
If you intend installing over any previous version of JSGME, you MUST disable all enabled mods first. Not doing so will corrupt JSGME and hence your game. Once you've disabled all mods, you can install the new version over the top of the old version and resume using as normal.

INSTALLATION
JSGME can be installed one of two ways:

==1. CENTRAL INSTALLATION==

You can install the JoneSoft Generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) to a central location and point it to each of your games through creating shortcuts. To do this:

1. install JSGME to a central location (for example, “C:\Games\Generic Mod Enabler”). Keep the “Create a desktop icon” option selected in the installer
2. once installed, DO NOT RUN! Copy and paste the newly created JSGME desktop shortcut as many times as you have games and change the “Start in” folder of each shortcut to point to each game’s base folder. To change the “Start in” folder, right-click the shortcut, select “Properties” and then the “Shortcut” tab.
3. rename each shortcut to something meaningful, such as “JSGME - GameName1”, “JSGME - GameName2”, “JSGME - GameName3” and so on. To rename a shortcut, simply right-click the shortcut and select “Rename”

Using JSGME with subsequently installed games is simply a matter of copying, pasting and editing an existing shortcut (steps 2 and 3 above). And whenever JSGME is updated, you only need to install it once.

==2. SEPARATE INSTALLATION==
If you prefer, you can install separate copies of JSGME into each of your games. To do this, simply install JSGME to the base folder of the game that you would like to mod. The base folder usually contains the game’s main executable file and usually has a name unique to the game. If in doubt, consult the game’s online community. If you keep the “Create a desktop icon” option selected, the installer will add a uniquely named shortcut to your desktop.

Language Packs
If you use a language pack, please download the updated version from http://jonesoft.jaennahre.com. Note that some packs have not yet been updated with new translations - new versions will be uploaded as soon as possible.

As always, please feel free to announce in other game forums...

AND REMEMBER - THE ONLINE USER GUIDE IS YOUR FRIEND!

[JScones]

In case it isn't obvious enough:

IMPORTANT!
If you intend installing over any previous version of JSGME, you MUST disable all enabled mods first. Not doing so will corrupt JSGME and hence your game. Once you've disabled all mods, you can install the new version over the top of the old version and resume using as normal.

[JScones]

A few people (literally) have indicated that JSGME is not correctly removing folders added by mods. If you experience this problem, and you are 100% sure that you have both the folder and any files within the folder closed, pls post details to me including the exact steps that I can follow to repeat the problem. Also include details of the OS you are using and any error messages.

Saying to anyone else that "JSGME won't remove folders" won't fix it.

[Gerald]

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by JScones

There are no benefits running an earlier version of JSGME.

Except for the part where I have so many mods so carefully arranged, and some I've actually altered files to, that it could take literally weeks of experimenting to get them back the same way? Plus I'm in the middle of a patrol, and a career, that could be zonked by doing all that?

Oh well.

[JScones]

Create a mod profile first (Tasks>Save mod profile...). Then, after you have installed the new version, load the same mod profile and JSGME will automatically return your game to "how it was" (in the same activated order and including your "personalised" files, assuming the changes were made to the mod folder copies).

Now, if you've manually added or edited files in situ, then your best bet is to create a new mod of just those files and apply it after you have reloaded the mod profile. This is the correct way of doing it anyway, because as soon as you modify game files outside of JSGME, all bets are off with JSGME.

[TopcatWA]

Thanks

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by JScones

Create a mod profile first (Tasks>Save mod profile...). Then, after you have installed the new version, load the same mod profile and JSGME will automatically return your game to "how it was" (in the same activated order and including your "personalised" files, assuming the changes were made to the mod folder copies).

Now, if you've manually added or edited files in situ, then your best bet is to create a new mod of just those files and apply it after you have reloaded the mod profile. This is the correct way of doing it anyway, because as soon as you modify game files outside of JSGME, all bets are off with JSGME.

Thanks for the advice.

On the other hand it probably won't be a week before something goes wrong and I have to reinstall SH3 all over again anyway.

[JScones]

Bump in the absence of moderators...

[JScones]

[eagleFMJ]

Many thanks for program I use it with all the games I have mods for

[raymond6751]

[quote] Changes:
- Fixed: now correctly disables mods that have [ as the first character in the mod name
- Added: new enhanced game file compare feature
- Changed: snapshot/compare feature now based on MD5 sums, not date stamps
[unquote]

While I applaud upgrades to the software, I am unsure of why I need it. What is about to go wrong, as in what has needed a fix?

The above quote indicates a new feature but not what makes it of value.

As already mentioned, if you are involved in play, what about this makes it an immediate concern?

[JScones]

- Fixed: now correctly disables mods that have [ as the first character in the mod name

In earlier versions, mods with names starting with [, for example "[My Mod] Name of mod", would not be disabled correctly by JSGME. Presumably a problem affecting only very few people, for I was only alerted to it earlier this year, seven years after initial release. But, a problem it was, so it needed to be fixed (even though the workaround was very simple).

If you don't have mods starting with [, then you won't notice any difference.

However, as the enabling/disabling code has been changed, I decided that it would be prudent to ask all users to disable ALL mods before installing v2.6 in order to minimise the potential for problems.

- Added: new enhanced game file compare feature
- Changed: snapshot/compare feature now based on MD5 sums, not date stamps

Not critical, just some improvements to the file compare feature for those who use it. The comparison is now presented in a dialog box where users can scroll through or sort for easier analysis.

Using MD5 sums to compare files now means more accuracy over the previous time stamp only method, which was only ever meant to be temporary...it just took me a few years to update it to something more robust.

Besides the above, one or two people have stated that v2.5 has a problem with removing new folders that neither v2.4 or v2.6 has. I haven't been able to replicate the problem on my XP or Win7 installs, so this may be limited to certain system configurations (IIRC the users were running XP SP3). As no-one has reported this problem with v2.6, I strongly encourage all users to upgrade as soon as practical...but there will be no issue if people prefer to wait until they finish their current career or whatever.

[Highbury]

Although I never ran into issues with the previous versions (and I use JSGME for EVERY game I mod so much as a texture in), I do really appreciate the new version. For me the drag-and-drop feature, as well as the auto refresh of the mods list are pure gold.

Thank you for the continued development!

[skwasjer]

With many free apps I'm like, **** it, it's so ****ty I'll just build it myself. No such thing with JSGME.