Why .zip?

newguy · 11-11-2007, 12:29 PM

Honestly, why has v1.1 been distributed as a .zip file and not .exe? I had a discussion about this with some other guys the other night and we all agreed that .zip sucks, and that people tend to avoid .zip files. I would seriously consider that you release a .exe version of v1.1.

Paft · 11-11-2007, 12:32 PM

Ideally they want people to use CrosuS !

DoC · 11-11-2007, 12:39 PM

I have crosus and it just auto-updates.

qui · 11-11-2007, 01:01 PM

People avoid zips?

bokko · 11-11-2007, 01:10 PM

Yes, zips are evil, avoid them at all costs!

11-11-2007, 02:06 PM

I have to agree here.

EvilIguana966 · 11-11-2007, 02:31 PM

.zips work but they just don't come across as being as professional as an exe does.

EquilibriuM · 11-11-2007, 08:45 PM

I have no prob with zip's, but i do agree with these guys all updates need to be exe. For the main part most of the community in FF right now are beginners never even played tfc. And alot of ppl that play online dont do anything else with there pc's but install games, maybe browse the web for pr0n and thats about it.

Saint Thoth · 11-11-2007, 10:05 PM

I do agree that exec's help get more players, and depending on people to download yet another piece of software, such as CrosuS, is not wise (I put it among the things that killed Wizard Wars, when we tried the same with Vapor)... I shall just copy what I put in tech support:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saint Thoth

For the computer illiterate, I offer this patch installer:

http://www.thothie.com/ff/ff_1.1_patch_installer.zip

Exec is inside the zip. It will automagically find your Steam folder, and proper install path for the patch. This install is also kinder in that it will not overwrite your cfgs. (Plus compressed a tad better, at about 50MB)

I could make one for the full install, but I fear a file that size would cause havoc with my host.

Excuse the logo on the installer – it’s for another mod I work on. >_>

----------------

For the devs:

One thing I noticed tends to really limit a mod’s traffic is lack of a proper installer. Sadly, a lot of gamers are not very computer literate, and have trouble finding their Steam folder (not that Valve has made that one of the easier folders to find – especially for HL1 mods). I know some may believe they don’t want to play with computer illiterate folk, but I would point out that there are at least as many computer literate jerks that make games unpleasant, if not more, so ya midas well attract all the players you can.

This package includes a template for creating NSIS Fortress Forever self-installers that can detect a users Steam install via the registry, and thus put the files in the proper place automagically. (Plus it uses LZMA compression, which is quite a bit better than RAR):
http://www.thothie.com/ff/NSIS_Steam_Install_Maker.rar

Instructions are included in the package (they are originally written for another mod, but I've adapted them). It, of course, also requires NSIS to generate the self extracting packages, which is free and open source.

**mervaka** · 11-11-2007, 10:10 PM

maybe we should spoon feed people FF, and hand out complimentary FF napkins?

Saint Thoth · 11-11-2007, 10:14 PM

Actually, you need to hold them down and force it down their throats, in my experience.

Seriously though, easier install = more players, tis as simple as that, sadly. On a certain mod we doubled our player base as soon as we got an exec installer (reminds me, I need to make another one for... yet another mod...)

Camphlobactor · 11-11-2007, 11:19 PM

I love .zips, since it doesn't clog up my 'installed files' list and l know exactly what is being changed. By doing so I avoided my .cfg files being overwritten on the last patch, and I gain a sense of control. Next patch put up both.

EquilibriuM · 11-11-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camphlobactor

I love .zips, since it doesn't clog up my 'installed files' list and l know exactly what is being changed. By doing so I avoided my .cfg files being overwritten on the last patch, and I gain a sense of control. Next patch put up both.

^^ same

EngeeMan · 11-12-2007, 12:37 AM

For a game that is touted for its depth and un"newbification" you'd think the players would be able to right click on a damn .zip file and extract to the sourcemod folder.

StatisticZ · 11-12-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mervaka

maybe we should spoon feed people FF, and hand out complimentary FF napkins?

QFT!

Saint Thoth · 11-12-2007, 02:40 AM

True, both would be best... Although with a self-extractor all you have to do ie lie about your Steam folder location and cut & paste form there - only nubs can't figure that out.

**mervaka** · 11-12-2007, 09:19 AM

see if an ice axe in the head makes them think harder? fuck sake!

Paft · 11-12-2007, 09:22 AM

All I know is Next>install>next>Finnish. :'( j/k

Ginger Lord · 11-12-2007, 10:46 AM

If you cant extract a .zip right....well...

Mrbbad · 11-12-2007, 10:51 AM

I'd rather have a self-installer myself, but a zip is no big deal...

...now installing another damn program on my system, that annoys me. I have more than enough, so no CrosuS for me.

11-11-2007, 12:29 PM	#1
newguy Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Why .zip? Honestly, why has v1.1 been distributed as a .zip file and not .exe? I had a discussion about this with some other guys the other night and we all agreed that .zip sucks, and that people tend to avoid .zip files. I would seriously consider that you release a .exe version of v1.1.

11-11-2007, 12:32 PM	#2
Paft Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK - http://forums.fortress-forever.com Class/Position: [O] Med Gametype: CTF/Skills Posts Rated Helpful 67 Times	Ideally they want people to use CrosuS ! __________________ TFC Resource TFC/FF/TF2 customs at: ZZUBYTTIHS - www.tfcgaschamber.com - www.ozfortress.com - www.fpsbanana.com - mrclan.com - TFC Essentials Jan 2012

11-11-2007, 08:45 PM	#8
EquilibriuM G9- D&A Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Class/Position: D Solly,Engy Gametype: ALL Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I have no prob with zip's, but i do agree with these guys all updates need to be exe. For the main part most of the community in FF right now are beginners never even played tfc. And alot of ppl that play online dont do anything else with there pc's but install games, maybe browse the web for pr0n and thats about it. __________________

11-11-2007, 10:10 PM	#10
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	maybe we should spoon feed people FF, and hand out complimentary FF napkins? __________________ Support FF:

11-12-2007, 09:19 AM	#17
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	see if an ice axe in the head makes them think harder? fuck sake! __________________ Support FF:

11-11-2007, 12:39 PM	#3
DoC I M HW Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I have crosus and it just auto-updates.

11-11-2007, 01:01 PM	#4
qui Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	People avoid zips?

11-11-2007, 01:10 PM	#5
bokko when ff will out? D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Yes, zips are evil, avoid them at all costs!

11-11-2007, 02:06 PM	#6
vtrickzv Guest Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	I have to agree here.

11-11-2007, 02:31 PM	#7
EvilIguana966 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	.zips work but they just don't come across as being as professional as an exe does.

11-11-2007, 10:14 PM	#11
Saint Thoth Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Actually, you need to hold them down and force it down their throats, in my experience. Seriously though, easier install = more players, tis as simple as that, sadly. On a certain mod we doubled our player base as soon as we got an exec installer (reminds me, I need to make another one for... yet another mod...)

11-11-2007, 11:19 PM	#12
Camphlobactor Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I love .zips, since it doesn't clog up my 'installed files' list and l know exactly what is being changed. By doing so I avoided my .cfg files being overwritten on the last patch, and I gain a sense of control. Next patch put up both.

11-12-2007, 12:37 AM	#14
EngeeMan Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	For a game that is touted for its depth and un"newbification" you'd think the players would be able to right click on a damn .zip file and extract to the sourcemod folder.

11-12-2007, 02:40 AM	#16
Saint Thoth Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	True, both would be best... Although with a self-extractor all you have to do ie lie about your Steam folder location and cut & paste form there - only nubs can't figure that out.

11-12-2007, 09:22 AM	#18
Paft Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK - http://forums.fortress-forever.com Class/Position: [O] Med Gametype: CTF/Skills Posts Rated Helpful 67 Times	All I know is Next>install>next>Finnish. :'( j/k __________________ TFC Resource TFC/FF/TF2 customs at: ZZUBYTTIHS - www.tfcgaschamber.com - www.ozfortress.com - www.fpsbanana.com - mrclan.com - TFC Essentials Jan 2012 Last edited by Paft; 11-12-2007 at 10:48 AM.

11-12-2007, 10:46 AM	#19
Ginger Lord Retired FF Staff Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sunny England Affiliations: Custard Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	If you cant extract a .zip right....well...

11-12-2007, 10:51 AM	#20
Mrbbad tf2.org Gnome Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I'd rather have a self-installer myself, but a zip is no big deal... ...now installing another damn program on my system, that annoys me. I have more than enough, so no CrosuS for me.

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