Andruha on 27/4/2005 at 18:33
Well, Boogalou.. designing is a creative process and I had a lot of fun solving the loader problem in my free time. I do know this design can be useful, but it may not come to its realization..
Anyway, I did ride my wave of enthusiam because of T3Ed and TDM. It got me here, but I am not sure now if I should continue with parts 2 and 3.
Huckeye on 27/4/2005 at 18:34
I don't mean this to sound as rude as it might, but there is no logic in comments like just because we already have something, someone shouldn't try and make it better. How many examples would it take to emphasize the reason why people should strive for perfection? Cell phones already made phone calls, so why create a device that text messages too, and so on. So, sure we already have a loader to T1 and T2 missions, why not have an extra app? Why not have a single one that adds features and loads them all?
You have every right to sit there and not create something you don't agree with, but I don't see what gain you get, or anyone in the community for that matter, when you correct people for wishful thinking or trying to offer ideas to make things better. If its not possible, or people aren't willing to try, that is one thing. But to tell people they don't need it or shouldn't be asking for it just makes no sense to me. There are a couple of other places where someone said "you don't need it cause you already have it". Well we have an engine that plays thief, but I am thankful that people weren't content with what they saw and soon we will experience Thief on UT2004 engine and Doom3.
ZylonBane on 27/4/2005 at 18:47
Quote Posted by Huckeye
Cell phones already made phone calls, so why create a device that text messages too, and so on.
Umm, text pagers existed long before cell phones did.
My point was, the best way to ensure a program never gets finished (or even begun) is to start out with a massive, pie-in-the-sky, wannabe-futureproof, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink design.
Andruha on 27/4/2005 at 19:01
Huckeye,
Thanks for your support.
A bit off topic: in this (
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95097&page=4) thread you asked about patching T1 and T2.
I solved the same problem with existing tools. Here is what I deed:
- created a central updates repository for T1, TG and T2.
- manually created custom configs, updates and fixed files following instructions in Thief Series FAQ (Technical / Purchasing / Etc.) (
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75031) thread.
(most useful fixes for me: Game Freezes within a minutes / Running Thief on a Dual-Processor System or Got a Pentium 4 with Hyperthreading? and Direct 3D Device does not accurately report texture memory usage, or Help! I only get a black screen!)
- saved updates in the repository.
- installed a synchronization utility (I use SyncBack - it's free)
- created profiles for the sync. utility.
Now, whenever I reinstall any of the games, I just fire up the utility and tell it to run a bunch of profiles. In seconds, I am ready to enjoy my favoutire games.
Incidently, your question is strongly related to the functionality of the proposed design.
Andruha on 27/4/2005 at 19:09
ZyloBane,
After reading your reply to Huckeye, I really doubt you take time to carefully read.
I appreciate your comments, but they do come accross as of someone who jumps to conclusions, does not give others benefit of doubt and is not open minded. Am I wrong?
Fingernail on 27/4/2005 at 19:17
I appreciate the ambitious one-stop-shop internet-powered database/content delivery/fm management/allthingsthiefy ideas here.
If I understood correctly... :confused:
Ziemanskye on 27/4/2005 at 19:46
Okay.
Most of that is still way over my head, but okay.
I'll just stick at EEP!
And wish you (and anyone else working on this kind of idea) good luck. I may even end up using your tools, but for now, EEP!
Andruha on 27/4/2005 at 19:53
Fingernail,
It is not ambitious and not complex as one might think. There are only concepts in the design. One is free to implement those concepts as one will. The really important part adherence to standards and interoperability solution.
The interoperability solution I have not posted yet. Standard is just a set of agreed formats. Nothing fency - text as medium, INI as synatx. A set of keywords. That's it.
As for the application itself, given the standards and interoperability, community members are free to implement the elements as they want (they don't even need to adhere to my design, even so it is easier to develope when one knows what to do). Just for fun I will outline a loader that can be implemented quite fast:
- Containers - just a set folders (repository, temporary, profiles, etc..). These all can be even one folder.
- Catalog - a simple file that contains deliminated data (each collum corresponds to a keyword, like Title, Game, Rating, Finished, Mod Location, etc..)
- Update tools can be skiped at all - user can use RSS feeds to see what's new and visit e.g. Komag.com and download missions into mods directory.
- Syncronization tool - get a ready one that supports arguments.
- Someone-in-the-know should post here in forums what exactly happens when T1/T2/T3 mods is installed.
- Predifine a specific location (source) for a mod to be installed and manually unzip mod files in there.
- Based on mod installation instructions, create profiles per each game; Source is known (see previous), target also (where games are installed).
- Mod manager - translate user input into a batch file for the sync tool; execute the batch.
- UI - an existing program (DarkLoader, FlashLoader, or Java program) can be repurposed. Shoulb be able to pass arguments to the Mod manager, and write to the text file (Catalog).
That's it - a very basic set of tools that implements a Mod Loader.
(I know it sucks, but I spent more time typing then thinking about it :) )
Ziemanskye,
what is EEP?
Fingernail on 27/4/2005 at 19:57
So you've dumped a specification before us and expect US to follow it if we make any loading tools?
Or have I still not understood? :confused:
ZylonBane on 27/4/2005 at 20:06
Quote Posted by Andruha
It is not ambitious and not complex as one might think.
Then write it.
