32 replies to this topic

[lostincarnation]

I'd like to write an auto-installer for the Big World Project because the installation procedure is so long and tedious.
Furthermore, a single mistake may corrupt the whole installation, which is frustrating.

The auto-installer is supposed to do the following:
1. Detect the game version to ensure that the proper patches have been applied.
Verify the key files to ensure that the current installation is a clean one.
Automatically backup the key files.
2. Verify the downloaded mods and patches to ensure that their version is correct??
3. Begin the installation without the user's interference.
The information of all the choices to be made and patches to be applied will be saved in a separate cfg file in a simple format.
So the modder can easily modify the cfg file to make adjustment to the installation procedure.
4. After the installation, verify the weidu log to check if the installation is successful.
5. The dos windows can be hided and a progress bar can be displayed.
6. Automatically clean up the game folder of the mod files.

As the cfg files are separated from the main program, the auto-installer is supposed to work with any other mega mod installation.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Edit:
Leonardo's auto-installer is written in batch files which have a lot of limitations.
As stated in Leonardo's post,

1. The .bat files are not compatible with WeiDU 2.01. Some mods like BG2Fixpack, NEJ, CtB cannot be installed with this method.
2. The installation stops when a window opens
3. Apparently some mods get skipped, especially on a faster Computer. Happened installation should be checked autamatically.
4. Copy and paste should be performed automatically.

My auto-installer will solve these problems and won't need any user's interference during the installation procedure.

But if anyone has already written an auto-installer in a language other than batch, please tell me and i will stop the project.

Edited by lostincarnation, 21 October 2007 - 02:48 AM.

[dragonian]

as far as i know it is being done by someone form Leonardo`s Group

[Chevalier]

Take a look at The BiG World Project

[lostincarnation]

Leonardo's auto-installer is written in batch files which have a lot of limitations.
As stated in Leonardo's post,

1. The .bat files are not compatible with WeiDU 2.01. Some mods like BG2Fixpack, NEJ, CtB cannot be installed with this method.
2. The installation stops when a window opens
3. Apparently some mods get skipped, especially on a faster Computer. Happened installation should be checked autamatically.
4. Copy and paste should be performed automatically.

My auto-installer will solve these problems and won't need any user's interference during the installation procedure.

But if anyone has already written an auto-installer in a language other than batch, please tell me and i will stop the project.

[Azazello]

You can never have too many auto-Installers.

[Miloch]

That'd be great if it can do all those things you say, and if it works with the latest version of WeiDU.

[CrowLord]

Yes please do this, as i enjoy playing mods for this game, but i am really bad at the installations of them. an auto installer like you would get for a proper store bought game would be fantastic. please do it

[Silinde Ar-Feiniel]

PLEASE just do it. The auto-installer would would be a miracle! Many people would be greatfull for all time and i would be the first!

[Kulyok]

Verify the key files to ensure that the current installation is a clean one.

Not possible, since most mods only modify dialog.tlk and add new files to override - they do not modify chitin.key/other key files. You might try
interdia.2da or songlist for NPC mods, but Dungeon Crawl or Romantic Encounters, for example, do neither. You could try dialog.tlk, but what if the user has a French or German version of the game, and wishes to play with English mods?

Automatically backup the key files.

While it's useful, I always recommend each user to keep a handy backup they can always upload on their own, because it's not possible to determine if they have a clean install or not(see above).

2. Verify the downloaded mods and patches to ensure that their version is correct

Er, how are you going to do this for each mod? I'd really like to know that.

5. The dos windows can be hided and a progress bar can be displayed.

I'm getting the progress bar part, but I wonder how you're going to deal with hiding the console window(s), since they are essentially the core of each installation.

6. Automatically clean up the game folder of the mod files.

This means you will delete all backups, as well, which means that you won't be able to reinstall/uninstall anything, and weidu.log becomes useless.

[Azazello]

Before poo-poo the effort, I think we should let the person at least create a beta of the process...

I believe all the options can be automated, but it'll have to be developed in such a way that even a, er, challenged user can understand. Coding the "hand-holding factor" alone will be massive.

[Miloch]

Not possible [etc., etc., snip...] becomes useless.

Indeed, why bother. What's the point? It's destined for failure. Doomed!

[Chevalier]

[Kulyok]

Indeed, why bother. What's the point? It's destined for failure. Doomed!

Awww!

[berelinde]

I recently biffed my override directory, for the first time ever. Let me tell you, it was quite an experience!

Since I was testing Crossmod Banterpack, and I had every NPC mod under the sun installed, with all their wav files, my override directory was over 2 GB. Given that my total HD capacity is only about 80 GB (I got an old computer, OK?), this was a significant chunk. When I tried to run BG2, the lag was unbearable.

And I found something that shouldn't have been surprising: I could no longer mod my game. Everything threw out error messages. File needed was in bif, or some such.

So, with that in mind, I don't discourage folks from doing the mega thing. By no means! Customize your game as you see fit. But remember: only biff once, and that at the end, when you're satisfied with your installation.

[quinlan]

my total HD capacity is only about 80 GB (I got an old computer, OK?)

Thank you for making me feel worse about my computer (HD=40GB).

[Jarno Mikkola]

Thank you for making me feel worse about my computer (HD=40GB).

Well, the only thing you need is about 200$ and you'll have 540GB's. But I'll recommend you to checkout other places first before you go and buy that, as it's just an example!

[Marvin]

I'd like to write an auto-installer for the Big World Project because the installation procedure is so long and tedious.
Furthermore, a single mistake may corrupt the whole installation, which is frustrating.

The auto-installer is supposed to do the following:
1. Detect the game version to ensure that the proper patches have been applied.
Verify the key files to ensure that the current installation is a clean one.
Automatically backup the key files.
2. Verify the downloaded mods and patches to ensure that their version is correct??
3. Begin the installation without the user's interference.
The information of all the choices to be made and patches to be applied will be saved in a separate cfg file in a simple format.
So the modder can easily modify the cfg file to make adjustment to the installation procedure.
4. After the installation, verify the weidu log to check if the installation is successful.
5. The dos windows can be hided and a progress bar can be displayed.
6. Automatically clean up the game folder of the mod files.

As the cfg files are separated from the main program, the auto-installer is supposed to work with any other mega mod installation.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Edit:
Leonardo's auto-installer is written in batch files which have a lot of limitations.
As stated in Leonardo's post,

1. The .bat files are not compatible with WeiDU 2.01. Some mods like BG2Fixpack, NEJ, CtB cannot be installed with this method.
2. The installation stops when a window opens
3. Apparently some mods get skipped, especially on a faster Computer. Happened installation should be checked autamatically.
4. Copy and paste should be performed automatically.

My auto-installer will solve these problems and won't need any user's interference during the installation procedure.

But if anyone has already written an auto-installer in a language other than batch, please tell me and i will stop the project.

Hi,

I'm from the German forum and I would love to see an Installer like this.
As far as I know, there is no one in our who is working on an installer like this.

I know that Leonardo and Lokadamus wanted to update the .bat files in a way that they can be used with WeiDu 2.01 and that all the fixes, translatiions and patches are automatically applied.
But an installer like you described it was plannd in the future.

It would be great if you could do a thing like that, even if it's half as good as you described it
I'll send the link to Leonardo!

Marvin

[Silinde Ar-Feiniel]

Please continue the auto-installer! I would like to play this mega mod, but i had many problems with the install. I tried a BP+BGT+NEJ+CTB+SOBH+DTSC+NTSC but i missed. I'm not very experienced but that which makes it difficult for me is to try to link 7-12 "read me" files, some of which are not up to date, missing the new versions of the mods which in some cases have replaced the older versions which now don't exist! whoa! Even in forums, i can't find help because everyone has a diffent opinion and my head is going to blow up with the million suggestions. PLEASE make the auto insaller! It is the only hope for people who are not modders!

[Azazello]

What berelinde wrote. Only, I would make biffing an option, not a requirement.

There's some aspects of "un"-biffing to consider, but maybe leave that for another thread.
Oh yes, remember biffing doesn't save you space: it just gets stuff moved from override folder to BIF files.

People forget or didn't know that Classic MegaInstall used an installer, at least for the bigger mods (formerly known as the "BP mods".)

[melkor_morgoth75]

People forget or didn't know that Classic MegaInstall used an installer, at least for the bigger mods (formerly known as the "BP mods".)

Yes mate but it handled "only" 5 mods (big ones) but just 5, not 100+ !

mm75