Community Extended Mod Pack {EMP} v1.4 & 2.01

[Cycrow]

whats so stupid about the installer exactly ?

[Stevio]

I dont live in caves

I just dont like this stupid installer and this stupid spk files thats all

but thanks anyway

cycrow put all that effort into coding the plugin manager for the good of the community FOR FREE!!!
and you turn round and call it stupid? that is just rude and inconsiderate!

and how exactly is it "Stupid?"

[XGamer]

First I dont have anything against him/his work and his effort into the community and stuff...

I just dont see why I should have an extra filetype, an extra file and an extra programm just for a script or a mod. I dont need an application for a mod or a script. So I just dont see the need for it. Others seem to see it and seem also to need it - no problem with that.

^^ That's what im thinking about since it exists.

Further it made my game not working or working wrong after I was forced to try it once coz a mod was - how else - ONLY distributed as spk file. So I download it installed it tried it and my game was messed up. Somehow the installer made several errors during install. So I deleted the whole things it created (it even created some files in the scripts folder for itself) and copied the files which belonged to the mod i wished manually and everything works well.

^^ that was a further point for me to never use it well I havent liked it anyway so just a confirmation that as more progs you use for such a simple thing as more errors may happen.

Again I dont see the need. I can copy those files by myself and also can count and rename falsepatch mods if needed. I anyway wish to know what happens and whats created where on my system. I cant do that with the installer which is another reason for not using it.

I will not download any spk files anymore. If ppl thing they need to distribute it as an spk file only then they should do - I wont use that mod then or if I _really_ need it or its really good then i'll ask for a version in an common file format as happened here. If I cant get one I simply wont use it.

Again: nothing against cycrow and his work - I respect that he did that all and spend the time. I personnely just dont like the result. And sorry for call it stupid.

[Cycrow]

well not really sure how it would mess u your entry game, thats certintly never happened to anyone else.

and as for not knowing whats created on your system using the installer is completly wrong.

not only can u turn on debug that logs every action the program goes through including every file its installed, but you can also view the list of every file thats attached to each script.

but its ur choise if you want to miss out on some scripts, just coz u dont like the program that everyone else uses

[Stevio]

You can use the plugin manager to extract the spk packaged scripts/mods into their \scripts, \t, and \mods folders basics and istall them manually

[XGamer]

Debug Option? Havent seen one but might not looked good enough.
See all files? havent seen that too. there might have been a list but cant remember...

And anyway its not just the options the programm gives or does not give. Its the needless... why make create a file where you need an extra prog to create and open it when you can just use zip or rar where you do not need an extra programm to create and open them? Everyone has an rar tool on his PC and Zip can already be created and opened with pure windows. Give me some good reason why to use an extra apllication for such things when you can use formats then everyone can use without any extra software.


==

and to the messed up game: I might have hyperbolized a bit. But I had several ReadText errors not only in the mod also in other parts which had nearly nothing to do with the mod or at least should not have to do with it. After I uninstalled the mod & installer and copied the mod files by myself readtexts were gone. I guess it was coz of the installer poped up a window with some question about changing language of textfiles of the mod. I just pressed Enter quickly without reading the message proofly. Somehow this must have gone wrong and I had readtext errors...

[Cycrow]

well the installer does alot more than winrar or winzip can do.
it can create text files for other languages of the game automatically
it can create and use custom wares which would be impossible without the installer.
it can read and detect file versions to make sure only the newest files are used, especially useful for Shared files across scripts.
it keeps track of al lthe fiels isntalled making it easy to remove or disable the each script package.
detects files that are shared between multiple scripts to prevent one script from breaking another.
it is easier to create and install scripts via the installer, users just simply have to double click on the file to install.

there are many other advantages over standard rar and zip files as well

but a few readtext errors is hardly completly breakign a game and could prolly be easily sorted

[LLDB]

First i wish to say that I have your script installer and I think you have done an outstanding job. Not only does your work help each individual but it also helps the Relm of the Modder. Wich in turn adds longevity to the game we all love. http://forum3.egosoft.com/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif
Razz

Now for part II.
I am now patched to 2.02. many of the scripts require the EMP.
Is the 2.01 gonna do the job for now? Really don't want to botch things up.
I do keep a back-up of save games, I do this periodically. I do realize the the Xtended mod group handle this critter but so far as I have seen you be the knowenist person in this forum.
So is Emp 2.01 compatable with the 2.02 patch?
If I run it is it gonna mess with your installer and scripts?

Nuts..... my smiley dude didn't work. ain't it funny how the small things get us upset?

[Cycrow]

2.02 didn't modify the wares file, so there was sno changes to be made between 2.01 and 2.02, so it should work fine.

as for other mods like Xtended, usually they do have emp included within thier mod, however, it wont do any harming installing EMP as well, if they have added it, then it will just overright the current EMP causing no problems

[XGamer]

it can create text files for other languages of the game automatically

which isnt working correctly btw as that makes my game having those Readtexts - so you might need to check this feature

it can create and use custom wares which would be impossible without the installer.

Not if the author already implented the new wares in the tfiles and the textfiles correctly and uses them correct ingame.

it can read and detect file versions to make sure only the newest files are used, especially useful for Shared files across scripts.

Thats indeed a very nice feature which i havent know of.

detects files that are shared between multiple scripts to prevent one script from breaking another.

same as above.

it is easier to create and install scripts via the installer, users just simply have to double click on the file to install.

I dont see how having this installer does the script writing easier - but no worries I know what you wanted to say. But I have to say it seems to be very complicate to create such an spk file (tried it yesterday).

==

congratz you made it - I no longer think the installer is soo[...]oo bad as I thought before... - still needs some work though and still dont like another file type for just a mod or a script - but it has nice features which might really be useful.

[Stevio]

why make create a file where you need an extra prog to create and open it when you can just use zip or rar where you do not need an extra programm to create and open them? Everyone has an rar tool on his PC and Zip can already be created and opened with pure windows. Give me some good reason why to use an extra apllication for such things when you can use formats then everyone can use without any extra software.

2. It compiles the whole package into one manageable file
   - rar and zip are a prime example! they are not neccessary either most scripts are not that big in file size but the rar and zip archives are used in exactly the same way as an spk
   
   
3. It does much much more than rar and zip archivers can or will do for game scripting/modding
   - reference Cycrows post for details
   
   
4. It keeps new script users from having to post frequent questions
   - "Where do scripts go and where would i put text files?"
   
   
5. It allows easy updating for Script authors and the users
   - update feature allows users to see if a newer version is available and if neccessary download and install

[XGamer]

I just want to let you know that Im using Index 136

Code: Select all

28;0;0;0;0;136;10603;0;638600;1;1;0;638600;0;0;0;SS_WARE_SW_CUSTOM16_3;

greetz
XGamer

[Cycrow]

it can create text files for other languages of the game automatically

which isnt working correctly btw as that makes my game having those Readtexts - so you might need to check this feature

well it works fine for everyone else, althou readtext can come from other problems as well, but as like u said, u got a question about the language and chose to ignore are, are you really surprised it doesn't work for u ?

it can create and use custom wares which would be impossible without the installer.

Not if the author already implented the new wares in the tfiles and the textfiles correctly and uses them correct ingame.

not the same, if all the authors did it by your method, then they will all be imcompatable with each other and u'll only be able to run one of the scripts as you cant run multiple mods that change TWare files.
Thats y theres EMP, but the plugin manager is alot more customisable than EMP, as you can choose the type of ware, the exact price and notority required, changing the cargo class and volumn, etc. And unlike EMP, u only have the wares for the scripts in the game, not all of them

it is easier to create and install scripts via the installer, users just simply have to double click on the file to install.

I dont see how having this installer does the script writing easier - but no worries I know what you wanted to say. But I have to say it seems to be very complicate to create such an spk file (tried it yesterday).

this is how easier to is, if i was to use winrar for my scripts what i would do is copy all the scripts and text files into another directory then pack them up into a rar file then finally uploading it to my server, the problem is as my scripts share alot of files, if i update one, i will have to update them all so there arn't versions that have older shared files that can mess things up, especially with the text files, quite alot of work really. whereas with the plugin manager, i double click on my batch packager file and it creates new packages for all of my scripts using all the latest files directly from the X3 directory and creates them all automatically and uploads them directly to my server, all with a single double click.

and one final feature that i forgot to mention that u cant do with winrar, scripts can be autoupdated without the user having to search for new versions and downloading them, it can all be done automatically, as well as finding new scripts to install

[XGamer]

hmpf - why did you tell me now? After I already searched ages for a ware in EMP fitting to what I need? So thats for what the wares table in the Packager is... it adds a ware to the files to a new ID which is definately free in everyones game. Nice.


So you mean if I for example use one textfile for all my scripts or a library script then If I edit that one all mods/scripts using that file can be updated by a single click? What would I need to setup to make that working?

[Cycrow]

u need to create a packager script, u can do it automatically in the packager by going to generate package script option.

the script is a simple text file that sets all the details and files for the package and can use wildcards.

then to do them all, u just create a batch script, which is simply a list of all the packager script files.

it should all be in the help file, as well as information on the main web page

[Khaak_Slayer]

The top two links in post one appear to be buggered, though the compatible version is fine.

[manning37]

I recently had to reinstall windows X3 and have tried to down load the EMP again but the com wont alway say error and the two mirror sites are no good. is there something to get around it or another place to downloads

[Cycrow]

The third link should be workin fine

http://x3.ircwhore.co.uk/emp.spk

[ChemODun]

Hi, pilots!
Can I use ware numbers 251 and 292 for my scripts?

[juskom95]

I am having a problem with the EMP. After I installed the X3 patch (up to 2.02) none of the EMP scripts were working. I re-installed the EMP and now the new M7 ship has dissappeared from the game. If anyone could help me I would appreciate it.