Addons at ease, self-executable or typical archive

[hardrock 1]

I just read SpecOps Thread about current OFP problems and thought it would be quite interesting to addon makers how they should release their addons.

So in which format do you like new addons the most?

Hopefully this thread is in the right forum, if not, feel free to move it

[Supah 0]

I like normal archives the most, dont mind the executables as long as they are well designed and dont make like start menu entries (unless its a full conversion mod like CSLA then thats ok by me).

[Ironsight 1]

Single addons in normal archives but MOD's in self-extracting archives, saves a lot of time

[Acecombat 0]

A normal RAR would be fine , i hate exes they always clutter up the start menu.

[calm_terror 0]

I like normal archives.

i hate those add=ons at ease.

it puts entries into the uninstall menue and just annoying.

i want to put add-ons in folders I want. and don't want 50 add-ons that leave things in the uninstall menue.

it is pointless..

[TeRp 1]

I like simple archives most.

executables lack of possibilites where to extract the addons, or, if it is an archive with multiple addons in it, you cannot extract a single addon.

addons at ease is a good intention, but i hate that it adds a remove option to the system registry. i just want the addon, no changes in my registry.

[SpecOp9 0]

I think the organization of addons is more important.  AAE is just a way to make things more easy to install, or at least it tries to.

The problem is not how easy it is to install addons and missions, the problem is that there are so many addons available for download, it's often hard to keep up with.

I think a program needs to be made, either by BIS or the community that helps organize these addons.  There are hundreds of addons in people's folders that makes everything very difficult and overwhelming to deal with.

Of course there is one possible solution the community has found, and that is the use of MOD folders.  BAS mod folder, DKM mod folder, NAM mod folder, ToW mod folder, ETC.

If BIS or the community can continue to travel down this road, the addons will be more easy.

[MEDICUS 0]

Definitly "Normal archive". I'm not a big fan of "self-extracting" files ore executibles.

Mfg MEDICUS

[Acecombat 0]

The only thing i care about is COMPRESSION when distributing files since many people still use 56k and cant afford huge sizes and yearn for smaller d/lds ven if its only a few 10 MBs. It makes a huge difference for us.

Therefore i like RAR it has the best compression.

[Migebuff 0]

Theres no need for installers or self extracting archives......

I want to be able to choose the files I want to install. I dont want to have 500 readmes and pictures in my addons folder.

[Lt_Phoenix 0]

Theres no need for installers or self extracting archives......

I want to be able to choose the files I want to install. I dont want to have 500 readmes and pictures in my addons folder.

And not to mention deciding where to put the addons. I have my OFP installed on a different hard-disk, and absolutely hate having to search through my whole HD to find out where that bloody installer has managed to place the files this time. And let's not forget those damn shortcuts that get placed on the desktop or in my start-menu

Thats the reason I prefer to use normal archives

[SpecOp9 0]

Well the main problem is, you should'nt trust self extracting EXE in the first place. (Unless you trust the person giving it to you)

They are too dangerous, and you can't always be sure what is inside of it. A virus, adware, anything. I never trust self extracting EXEs, never will. I think the current way to install Addons is simple enough. Drag and drop. Done.

It's not a matter of the ease of installing, but the ease of use afterwards.

[Gollum1 0]

RAR is the way to go. I'm not an idiot (I can only speak for myself), and I don't like my start menu being cluttered up.

[void_false 1]

hell these all installers are suxxx. i hate it. i dont want to have 50 items in my start menu and so shortcuts on desktop and so items in uninstall menu. selfextractors suxxx as well, because i need to specify where to extract. i prefer two clicks: rightclick+extract here. i'm dreaming to set my registry to 'read only'

[m21man 0]

I hate self-extracting EXEs, and AAE drives me up the wall. Normal archives are the way to go.

[Gordy 0]

Addons at ease = sucks because I am treated like an idiot

Exe = sucks because I am treated like an idiot

Rar = rules because I know where everything is.

[void_false 1]

WTF invented aae??!!

[SpeedyDonkey 0]

I see a reason for bis to have AAE. Maybe not so much for ofp but it is a good testing ground for future products such as ofp2.

I have friends that enjoy playing games every now and then. But some of them wouldn't even know what a zip or rar is. So sure, there is a need for AAE.

[hardrock 1]

I think AAE was a good idea, they probably didn't think that there would ever so many small addons come out, so they thought for MODs it'd be good to be easily uninstalled.

But now there are so many addons out that this system would spam your registry if you would install every addon with AAE.

I still think with large Addons with Missions and all the stuff self-executables are good, that you only need to extract into the OFP dir or the mod folder.

[MiG2003 0]

Well, we must see several situations: I can accept self-extract exe files in demos, mods or addons collections. I hate this pack method in single addons. I never used Addons at ease but i think that an independent folder is created and all addons go into there. If so it's a good solution cause don't overload the regular bis addons folder. I think that the regular addons packed in rar or zip are the best solution, but that's my oppinian and i know where to place the addons. For a regular ofp player that don't understand much about game structure the best solution is self-extract exe or Addons at easy

[mr burns 132]

Addons at ease = sucks because I am treated like an idiot

Exe = sucks because I am treated like an idiot

Rar = rules because I know where everything is.

lol, same for me here

but there are alot of peaople playing ofp who don´t even know what to do with the addons/missions folders

[m21man 0]

Quote[/b] ]but there are alot of peaople playing ofp who don´t even know what to do with the addons/missions folders  

Then they can learn, or we get to have all the addons and missions to ourselves! MWAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Gordy 0]

Well, cmon!

Using a computer requires some basic skills and programs.

RAR or zip are almost obligatory formats used whether you like it or not.

[Gollum1 0]

Quote[/b] ]but there are alot of peaople playing ofp who don´t even know what to do with the addons/missions folders

Then they can learn, or we get to have all the addons and missions to ourselves! MWAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

You'll go far one day, son!

Well, I think the verdict is in, Zips and Rars are the way to go!

[ag_smith 0]

The method DKM release their new addons is very good - you download self-extracting rar (to satisfy the kiddies), but then you can simply rename the file to *.rar and then you've got a regular archive.

It makes downloads bigger, though.