A Simple Request to all of you Beloved Modders

Soundman · 11-21-08, 04:03 PM

Hi guys,

Everyone greatly appreciates all you have done to make this wonderful sim so much more enjoyable. But please, put a separate link or just post the readme files for us to view so that we don't have to download the entire mod to see the install instructions or.. if we wish to install it at all.

Thanks in advance!
Soundman

fred8615 · 11-21-08, 05:15 PM

If you're not going to download it, why do you need separate instructions? And even when the instructions are included, people still don't read them (and I speak from personal experience from just the last couple of weeks), so putting them separate would make instances like that even worse because of people forgetting to download them.

Now if you're asking for more info on what's in a mod, that's different. I try to include as much as I can in my mod posts, so users can see what they'll be getting and can decide better if they want to download them. But considering I tell them the readmes contain the install and setup info, and they still don't read them sometimes, what's the point of separate instructions?

banjo · 11-21-08, 06:33 PM

I think what Soundman is asking for is what you say you do--tell us about the mod so we don't have to download it to find out whether we can use it or not. Good idea.

Soundman · 11-22-08, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

I think what Soundman is asking for is what you say you do--tell us about the mod so we don't have to download it to find out whether we can use it or not. Good idea.

Yes Banjo, that is the main issue with me, but I also agree with Fred. Many people may not read the instructions, but I and many others certainly do. And Fred, I have used your mods and THANK YOU very much for giving the needed info up front, that's basically all I'm asking for. (Thanks for the fine work by the way). Far too many times here, I see a link to a mod I may be interested in, only to be taken directly to a download with no information whatsoever. That's my main gripe.

As far as instructions go, I do prefer to read instuctions first. Some mods I have seen here require altering ini files for example. While I can handle it, some poeple are uncomfortable doing so. Also keep in mind, some folks may still have a dial-up connection, and imagine downloading for hours only to find it to be a waste of time.

I just feel my request is a very simple one to comply with and would be of great appreciation to many.

tonschk · 11-22-08, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

I think what Soundman is asking for is what you say you do--tell us about the mod so we don't have to download it to find out whether we can use it or not. Good idea.

I agree

tomoose · 11-22-08, 09:32 AM

...that's a fair request. I believe almost all mods have some version of a "readme" file built in but you still have to download the whole file to read it so I can understand the OPs request.

Along the same lines, I have limited my dl's to TMO and RSRD as I'm not sure which of the many, many smaller mods are the "latest" due to the plethora (there's a $10 word! LOL) of threads in each mod's original post. i.e. Page one has the mod and it's link etc but there are 20 more pages of responses identifying problems or changes etc so it's difficult to know.

I've seen some posters list their huge list of mods and admittedly I'm curious about some of them but have no idea if they're included with TMO or RSRD etc so I just leave well enough alone. Yeah, I'm a chicken when it comes to screwing around with one of my favourite games (despite the flaws)!!!

11-22-08, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomoose

Along the same lines, I have limited my dl's to TMO and RSRD as I'm not sure which of the many, many smaller mods are the "latest" due to the plethora (there's a $10 word! LOL) of threads in each mod's original post. i.e. Page one has the mod and it's link etc but there are 20 more pages of responses identifying problems or changes etc so it's difficult to know.

it would be nice if the big mods would just start a new thread when releasing a newer version of the mod. but not for minor changes or patches but just when they update it to address things so you dont have to read 200 posts about stuff that was fixed long ago yet still leaves questions about is it or isnt it a problem any more. if this were done then it would be easier to see what "issues" a mod might have without being confused by issues that are solved and "fixed" already.

i think its an understandable feeling not wanting to repeat an answer to a few questions that were already asked many times before but allowing the thread to get so long as to have people not even try to read through it is not helping anyone. as we all know very few read through all those posts so having 10 pages of posts doesnt stop newbees from asking those same questions over again anyway. (heck, most are too lazy to read the read me lol)

having the old thread unstickied and the new one stickied is an easy thing to do so why not help the membership with a new thread so only "real" issues and problems are addressed and talked about.

lets be honest here, who reads through all 2,166 RFB posts or all 1,298 RSRDC posts or all 752 TMO posts before asking a question? :hmm:

11-21-08, 04:03 PM	#1
Soundman Commodore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 617 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	A Simple Request to all of you Beloved Modders Hi guys, Everyone greatly appreciates all you have done to make this wonderful sim so much more enjoyable. But please, put a separate link or just post the readme files for us to view so that we don't have to download the entire mod to see the install instructions or.. if we wish to install it at all. Thanks in advance! Soundman

11-21-08, 05:15 PM	#2
fred8615 Saint of the seas Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sorrento, Louisiana Posts: 1,320 Downloads: 265 Uploads: 127	If you're not going to download it, why do you need separate instructions? And even when the instructions are included, people still don't read them (and I speak from personal experience from just the last couple of weeks), so putting them separate would make instances like that even worse because of people forgetting to download them. Now if you're asking for more info on what's in a mod, that's different. I try to include as much as I can in my mod posts, so users can see what they'll be getting and can decide better if they want to download them. But considering I tell them the readmes contain the install and setup info, and they still don't read them sometimes, what's the point of separate instructions? __________________ Frederick J. Barnett Radio Stations & Music Captain's Desk Photos FJB Camera Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start Office links, Info Boxes, & 50 cal Crew Rank Fix Sub Class Info Real Subs SH4 Randomizer Sub Images Office Images Sub Pinups & Pics 24 Hour Clocks Office Posters Nav Map Make-Over Add-ons FJB Navigation Maps Office Window Chronographs Someone's got to take the responsibility if the job's going to get done! Do you think that's easy?! - Gregory Peck, The Guns of Navarone.

11-22-08, 09:32 AM	#6
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	I think... ...that's a fair request. I believe almost all mods have some version of a "readme" file built in but you still have to download the whole file to read it so I can understand the OPs request. Along the same lines, I have limited my dl's to TMO and RSRD as I'm not sure which of the many, many smaller mods are the "latest" due to the plethora (there's a $10 word! LOL) of threads in each mod's original post. i.e. Page one has the mod and it's link etc but there are 20 more pages of responses identifying problems or changes etc so it's difficult to know. I've seen some posters list their huge list of mods and admittedly I'm curious about some of them but have no idea if they're included with TMO or RSRD etc so I just leave well enough alone. Yeah, I'm a chicken when it comes to screwing around with one of my favourite games (despite the flaws)!!! Last edited by tomoose; 11-22-08 at 09:33 AM.

11-21-08, 06:33 PM	#3
banjo Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 762 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	I think what Soundman is asking for is what you say you do--tell us about the mod so we don't have to download it to find out whether we can use it or not. Good idea.