Solution for permission issues?
Posted by ZaZ
Releasing mods for GP4 has been quite difficult as getting all necessary permissions can be cumbersome.
As a result there are template mods. With a template mod the end user needs to download the content him/herself and place stuff in the correct folders.
Once you know what you are doing, it's not too hard as the ini's are already set up for you, but it's a lot and to the less tech savvy users it can be disencouraging.
So I have been thinking a little bit about it and might have come to a 'solution' - a compromise.
Let me try to explain in a few steps.
Imagine downloading an empty mod and the readme contains things like:
"The author suggests you use the ferrari by michael bolton
Download it here www.gp4.com/downloads/ferraribolton.rar"
Nothing wrong with that.
What if the readme was loaded in csm in rich text so the link is clickable?
Nothing really wrong with that as well.
Well, what if the author of the mod includes a script to unrar a downloaded file and puts the right stuff at the right places?
See where I'm going?
How about a CSM detecting a mod is not complete yet and CSM offering you to 'Get the Ferrari by Michael Bolton now!', which then takes you to the download page by using its internal browser.
That way mistakes are hard to make. By doing it this way and not completely hidden, the website(s) show all necessary banners and get the clicks they want.
Once you download the file via the internal browser, CSM monitors it and once it's done, it will do all things necessary to place it in the mod like magic.
Links change and 'die', so there's an online database also where my tools look at.
You can download complete mods and trackpacks from there also.
Anyway, this is a thing I have been working on, but would like to get opinions.
IMHO it's not disrespecting for the authors who are lost or didn't give permission to include in the mod itself.
Once you download a template it was already possible to place just about anything in the mod.
The only limitation is how tech savvy you are.
With this, things will just get easier and take far less time.
Ok, now it's your turn.
Go.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
As a result there are template mods. With a template mod the end user needs to download the content him/herself and place stuff in the correct folders.
Once you know what you are doing, it's not too hard as the ini's are already set up for you, but it's a lot and to the less tech savvy users it can be disencouraging.
So I have been thinking a little bit about it and might have come to a 'solution' - a compromise.
Let me try to explain in a few steps.
Imagine downloading an empty mod and the readme contains things like:
"The author suggests you use the ferrari by michael bolton
Download it here www.gp4.com/downloads/ferraribolton.rar"
Nothing wrong with that.
What if the readme was loaded in csm in rich text so the link is clickable?
Nothing really wrong with that as well.
Well, what if the author of the mod includes a script to unrar a downloaded file and puts the right stuff at the right places?
See where I'm going?
How about a CSM detecting a mod is not complete yet and CSM offering you to 'Get the Ferrari by Michael Bolton now!', which then takes you to the download page by using its internal browser.
That way mistakes are hard to make. By doing it this way and not completely hidden, the website(s) show all necessary banners and get the clicks they want.
Once you download the file via the internal browser, CSM monitors it and once it's done, it will do all things necessary to place it in the mod like magic.
Links change and 'die', so there's an online database also where my tools look at.
You can download complete mods and trackpacks from there also.
Anyway, this is a thing I have been working on, but would like to get opinions.
IMHO it's not disrespecting for the authors who are lost or didn't give permission to include in the mod itself.
Once you download a template it was already possible to place just about anything in the mod.
The only limitation is how tech savvy you are.
With this, things will just get easier and take far less time.
Ok, now it's your turn.
Go.
You might come into the problems where Barry Manilow complains that you're using Michael Boltons car over his.
But great idea!
But great idea!
Bigbrother Schreef:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The only thing is that some files are uploaded and
> released on servers that doesn't contain the file
> for a long time so that could be a problem with
> your system.
That's where the online db kicks in. Everyone can report dead links and post new links, which then only need to be approved.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
-------------------------------------------------------
> The only thing is that some files are uploaded and
> released on servers that doesn't contain the file
> for a long time so that could be a problem with
> your system.
That's where the online db kicks in. Everyone can report dead links and post new links, which then only need to be approved.
The files aren't in the online db. The only db is just a db containing info about what to get where.
If the file is hosted somewhere else, the db could get updated.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
If the file is hosted somewhere else, the db could get updated.
I think its a superb idea. The whole community only lose with all the permissions nonsense. If you release this sistem, Ill be the girar one to get onboard. 
Since when is Michael Bolton a carshaper instead of a singer?
My Grand Prix 4 Files
I'm a total dick. How many people can say that?
SchueyFan Schreef:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like the idea, very innovative!
>
> Would the DB contain cars that are known to be
> leeched?
No, leeched stuff will not be in de DB or it will be removed if it turns out to be leeched
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like the idea, very innovative!
>
> Would the DB contain cars that are known to be
> leeched?
No, leeched stuff will not be in de DB or it will be removed if it turns out to be leeched
Well, as you can see there is a lot of encouragement already. I, personally, think that this is a great idea, too. And if this new CSM is really possible to be created, this'll be a big step for GP4 modding.
To be honest, I'm pretty sure that there will be some authors who won't be fine with this kind of working. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about. What your new tool does is simply what any private person would do when creating a mod for himself/herself. So please go on with that, it's an incredible idea. And I'd love to beta-test this tool when it's done some time!
GPGSL : Team Owner of 'Maverick Track Performance' (MTP)
To be honest, I'm pretty sure that there will be some authors who won't be fine with this kind of working. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about. What your new tool does is simply what any private person would do when creating a mod for himself/herself. So please go on with that, it's an incredible idea. And I'd love to beta-test this tool when it's done some time!
GPGSL : Team Owner of 'Maverick Track Performance' (MTP)
msater Schreef:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So would this work for TSM, too?
>
> This really does have the potential to work!
Yes, it will work for TSM, too.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy
-------------------------------------------------------
> So would this work for TSM, too?
>
> This really does have the potential to work!
Yes, it will work for TSM, too.
Another great idea.
Thank you for still supporting the GP4
Thank you for still supporting the GP4
Just as an aside (i think the initial idea is awesome), would there be a way of getting a version of CSM to work the same way as TSM, where you basically can download whatever cars you like, point it at the files, and then have a list of available cars you can stick in the game? (sorry this is slightly off topic - was just a thought that occurred to me!)
Personally, if it can work, I think it could be a new dawn for GP4 modding - I might even abandon my old fashioned way of doing it (i'm still using one of the very first versions of easywad!)
_______________________________________________________
Team Japan Owner - GPGNC
Personally, if it can work, I think it could be a new dawn for GP4 modding - I might even abandon my old fashioned way of doing it (i'm still using one of the very first versions of easywad!)
_______________________________________________________
Team Japan Owner - GPGNC
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