50 replies to this topic

[Zeracles]

Hi everyone, i've decided to play BG again and do the right thing for the community - not just download all mods needed for Big World, but also download them right to my server (I've even registered a nice domain for it ):
http://www.bigworldproject.ru - some index page with description is coming soon (does anyone need it - isn't apache indexing good enough?)
The downloading process is still not complete (currently the last mod found is 13.15 13.41), but it will be soon. Also, all mods are "repacked" - all installers/self-unpacking-archives/subfolder-structures are "re-archived", so all you'll have to do is download everything to your BG folder, select archives and press "Extract to current folder" - no more pain with searching those mods (torrent coming soon (just as everything is found and ready )

Edited by Zeracles, 31 December 2011 - 08:08 PM.

[dabus]

Uhm, I hope you did ask for permissions.
Sorry, but I doubt that somehow, since the idea is not new.
Guys want to stick with installers and use specific pages within their control.

Also guys would not be so stupid and put lots of work into installers and patches if they could just host the files for a working mega-installation.

Edited by dabus, 31 December 2011 - 11:13 AM.

[ShadowTek]

Uhm, I hope you did ask for permissions.
Sorry, but I doubt that somehow, since the idea is not new.
Guys want to stick with installers and use specific pages within their control.

Also guys would not be so stupid and put lots of work into installers and patches if they could just host the files for a working mega-installation.

One other thing, on my Install guide like dabus's comments above, and common sense suggestions from members here, I change all my links to the actual pages with the download links as opposed to the actual download so people could find the latest versions of each mod as just in the last few weeks a fixpack and ToB EX were updated that I know of. This place is constantly updating and improving there mods. So other then what dabus's posted, that would be a issue as well I would guess.

[Kaeloree]

Please remove all SHS mods from your site. I assume that G3 and PPG will ask the same.

[ShadowTek]

I know you mean well my friend.. But you cant just take others hard work, re-package it.. and re-distribute it without there permission, its the wrong thing to do. These people spent in many cases years perfecting there mods. I would guess that as long as this site has been around.. and seeing the incredible expertise here.. if they had come up with a way to click a single click download mega install, they would have. Plus people will want choices and pick the mods that they want..

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 05:18 PM.

[Zeracles]

I know you mean well my friend..

Yes, I've been playing Baldur's Gate and big mods for a very long time now. The main reasons, i've downloaded all those separate files to a folder on my home gentoo server, instead of just privately downloading them to a non-public folder are:

1. Tired of seeing 404 pages, instead of desired mods. What's the point in writing a detailed guide to installing a megamod if the particular version, mentioned in the text is no longer to be found anywhere (whether because the developers abandoned it, or they've updated their mod from v6 to v7). Isn't it obvious, that the MegaMods are the only future of BGModding?

2. I think that http://rutracker.org...c.php?t=3732559 is very wrong. You see - it's the complete Big World Installation, everything included (along with original BG1+2), just click&install. This is the thing, that kills all fun in BGModding - you even wouldn't know, that there were separate mods somewhere in that game. But if someone new to the Big World (and BG Modding) will try to install everything from scratch - how many will succeed? Installing Big World is like installing Gentoo or even Linux from Scratch - just finding and downloading all the mods is a very very non-trivial task.

But you cant just take others hard work, re-package it.. and re-distribute it without there permission, its the wrong thing to do.

1. Explain me, what's the difference between putting all mods into one public folder or using a tool like Big World Setup (the one which uses the Auto-IT scripts), which simply downloads all the mods to that folder? What's wrong if I just rename the mod's filename from "mod_name.rar" to a "13.14 mod_name.rar"
2. Why repack? And why my NOD32 Antivirus discarded 20% of all those mods as a viruses? The only exe, that should be in the mod's archive is unmodified, unencrypted WEiDU executable isn't it? Then why all those alerts? Are they trying to build a botnet from some dedicated RPG players?

if they had come up with a way to click a single click download mega install, they would have. Plus people will want choices and pick the mods that they want..

The Big World Setup was such tool, wasn't it? Plus the maximum possible choises one can get is just downloading all the mods they like and skipping those, they don't like. Just doing that in 5 minutes, instead of hours and days would be very nice, i suppose.
Of course, plain apache indexing isn't the best solution for something like a public download folder, maybe it should be something like wiki, but i'm ready to provide anything for the interested developers from CVS-versioning & subdomains (pointing to a developer's home PC (or any other PC) (with anything he wants to share (from pre-alpha mod version for public testing to a collection of mp3's he see's his mod is best played with) to a server's shell access for those, who need something very different (from public community multi-player game server for anyone to play, to streaming videos and something like that). It's nice, that SHS has it's own VBulletin license, but in 2012 you can really have much more, than just a forum engine
And of course, I can just give the domain to anyone, who will maintain a simple service - a place to download all Big World Mod's in an easy and fast way - without viruses & without deleting old mod's versions. If there is a new version of a mod - first update the Big World Manual, then add links to all mods, in this particular manual (by version - f.e. all mods for 10.3.3, all mods for 11.0 and so on)....

Edited by Zeracles, 31 December 2011 - 08:05 PM.

[mr fantastic]

I assume you are going ahead with that anyway....
..but what is the point if kerzenburg is doing hosting of basically all the mods legit.??

To be honest I can see where are you coming from, I always was in favor of something like that as I think it makes life easier for end user, less frustration etc....but than again modders do want to have control over their mods....and torrents?? My goodness you're going berserk

Anyway, in case you are going ahead with that I'll save that link

[ShadowTek]

Hi friend

Ok I'll try and answer your questions..

Yes, I've been playing Baldur's Gate and big mods for a very long time now. The main reasons, i've downloaded all those separate files to a folder on my home gentoo server, instead of just privately downloading them to a non-public folder are:

1. Tired of seeing 404 pages, instead of desired mods. What's the point in writing a detailed guide to installing a megamod if the particular version, mentioned in the text is no longer to be found anywhere (whether because the developers abandoned it, or they've updated their mod from v6 to v7). Isn't it obvious, that the MegaMods are the only future of BGModding?

2. I think that http://rutracker.org...c.php?t=3732559 is very wrong. You see - it's the complete Big World Installation, everything included (along with original BG1+2), just click&install. This is the thing, that kills all fun in BGModding - you even wouldn't know, that there were separate mods somewhere in that game. But if someone new to the Big World (and BG Modding) will try to install everything from scratch - how many will succeed? Installing Big World is like installing Gentoo or even Linux from Scratch - just finding and downloading all the mods is a very very non-trivial task.

1. Well, not to blow my own horn, but I made a step by step in simple terms how to make a BWP install.. (see my sig) yes 404 pages suck.. but that is not the case for any BWP mod.. see here BWP Links I have not seen any links that are broken man?

1. Explain me, what's the difference between putting all mods into one public folder or using a tool like Big World Setup (the one which uses the Auto-IT scripts), which simply downloads all the mods to that folder? What's wrong if I just rename the mod's filename from "mod_name.rar" to a "13.14 mod_name.rar"
2. Why repack? And why my NOD32 Antivirus discarded 20% of all those mods as a viruses? The only exe, that should be in the mod's archive is unmodified, unencrypted WEiDU executable isn't it? Then why all those alerts? Are they trying to build a botnet from some dedicated RPG players?

Ok, the Big World Setup is way outdated, the BWP is the way to go now.. Plus.. all the mods ARE in one place.. BWP Links On the virus check.. no way any mod released and posted here is a virus.. I'll bet my life on it.. virus checkers are funny.. try MSE.. I never have those issues.. But I know some virus checkers do that so I see your worry. On the repackaging thing, isnt that what you said in your first post you did?

The Big World Setup was such tool, wasn't it? Plus the maximum possible choises one can get is just downloading all the mods they like and skipping those, they don't like. Just doing that in 5 minutes, instead of hours and days would be very nice, i suppose.
Of course, plain apache indexing isn't the best solution for something like a public download folder, maybe it should be something like wiki, but i'm ready to provide anything for the interested developers from CVS-versioning & subdomains (pointing to a developer's home PC (or any other PC) (with anything he wants to share (from pre-alpha mod version for public testing to a collection of mp3's he see's his mod is best played with) to a server's shell access for those, who need something very different (from public community multi-player game server for anyone to play, to streaming videos and something like that). It's nice, that SHS has it's own VBulletin license, but in 2012 you can really have much more, than just a forum engine
And of course, I can just give the domain to anyone, who will maintain a simple service - a place to download all Big World Mod's in an easy and fast way - without viruses & without deleting old mod's versions. If there is a new version of a mod - first update the Big World Manual, then add links to all mods, in this particular manual (by version - f.e. all mods for 10.3.3, all mods for 11.0 and so on)....

Yes it was as I understand it.. I never used it.. but in its time it downloaded the latest versions of the mods.. as I understand it. But its way outdated now.. AFAIK BWP is the only mega mod installer thats always up to date.. and so many mods have been updated (two this week) that you have to consider that..


If you want my suggestion.. keep your site.. you paid for it and are clearly wanting to helping people.. do what I did in my guide.. post links to pages that link to the pages of mods rather then give the mods out.. or allowing people to download them from your site. That way people can get the latest versions.. you need to see this: BWP Links link.. if you can find even one link that doesnt work.. let us know.. because Ive never seen one, and that is a list.. every one of those mods.. work with BWP.. Now if you know how to update BWS that would be great!

Not ONE of those links are viruses.. if so post them..

I know you are just trying to be helpful.. I think you have the right idea, you are just going about it wrong.. Your site will be helpful.. but just link to mods, rather then offer downloads.. if anything and you want to host mods.. you have to ask permission from the creators before you do that.. that way you will be in the clear.. as they may be working on updates..

You have good intentions, and its appreciated.. all you have to do is change a few things as I mentioned above.. link to download pages.. rather then link to hosted downloads.. as those mods may be updated.. if you see ANY mods that have a virus, post them here.. this way everyone here will help you and be supportive.. If you do what you are doing (hosting persons mods without consent) you will have problems.. Note the Owner of this site already said you cant host any spellhold mods.. If you go against that.. you are going against most of the existing BG community.. But as I said above.. you can make a site that points to mods.. just don't host them without permission.. you wont make any friends here if you do..

Im just trying to help you as I see you just wanna help.. But you can't piss the people off here, Im just a newbie, but this site is the only active BG site with constant updating going on, on the net that Ive found.. and all the big players are here.. I cant imagine you want to upset them as its clear you are just trying to be helpful

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 09:25 PM.

[Zeracles]

I assume you are going ahead with that anyway....

I don't see any serious problems (aside my 2 MB/s upload link) with downloading all mods to a folder and renaming them for my private use, with that misconfigured apache (which by pure accident) allows anyone to download it's contents.

..but what is the point if kerzenburg is doing hosting of basically all the mods legit.??

But it's in Deutch. Ich nicht sprechen Deutch. And many people either. Besides, it doesn't have any actual files, just the links (or has it - can't read in German, sorry

To be honest I can see where are you coming from, I always was in favor of something like that as I think it makes life easier for end user, less frustration etc....

How many players you suppose are still playing BG nowadays? Without an easy and "non-frustrating" installation methods the only players will be the modders themselves, isn't that obvious?

but than again modders do want to have control over their mods....and torrents?? My goodness you're going berserk

But what "control" exactly do they need? The main reason for doing what i'm doing is my NOD32 alerts (just try to download http://www.shsforums...ds&showfile=706 - my NOD32 says it's a virus - Agent.KSZVEEK). For me it's obvious, that the modders really need some more "control" for their mod, so that someone's infected PC, won't infect all players. And this virus files hosted on SHSForums are being a very strong cause to repack those mods on my own server.

Anyway, in case you are going ahead with that I'll save that link

In fact, just the domain's name will make this site pop up before anything else in Google's search, just type "Big World Project" in several month and you'll be there.

[Zeracles]

Not ONE of those links are viruses.. if so post them..

I don't know really - if that's a virus. I can run it in VM'ed enviroment and tell exactly what that is - but how many newbies will just abandon everything after their antivirus display such an alert?

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[Zeracles]

Not ONE of those links are viruses.. if so post them..

I don't know really - if that's a virus. I can run it in VM'ed enviroment and tell exactly what that is - but how many newbies will just abandon everything after their antivirus display such an alert?

And http://bigworldproject.ru/13.32 KonTwk_v2_2.rar - doesn't display any alerts - the only thing i've done - just replaced the exe in the archive with a original Weidu.exe.

http://www.virustota...4ec5-1321744964 - it's the report for the file in the original archive (and it seems, that i'm not the frist one to scan it on virustotal)

Edited by Zeracles, 31 December 2011 - 09:49 PM.

[Kaeloree]

It's a problem with the virus scanners, not the mods. They like to report false positives, it's been fairly well-documented if you wanted to research it.

My request stands. Please remove any mods from SHS from your site unless you have explicit permission from the author(s).

[ShadowTek]

K'aeloree is currently viewing this post.. he see's your post on virus's, and I'll check them out as well.. have you read the rest of my post and considered it? You should try and work with the community here, not against them.. Anyway as a newbie, I really have no right to say anything. I think you are a good person that wants to help, but if you go against the community here and what they say..You are in the wrong.. as Im a member here and support them as they have supported me, Im just trying to help you, and tell you how to be a part of us here instead of cause problems.. You at least have to agree that you should not host mods without the authors consent.. right?

Anyway.. I hope you take my advice.. I have nothing else to say here.. unless one of those posts turn out to be a actual real virus you mentioned, in which case I'll PM the site on it. I tried to help, but said all I can say.. Ive probably overstepped my bounds as it is.. I hope everything works out with you.. and that you follow my advise.. and the advise that members here give you, in anycase.. Ive said all I will in this thread.. Hope all works out.. and that you respect the wishes of posts here.

Take care friend

EDIT: See The owner responded to that virus issue.. (we crossed msgs)

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 10:04 PM.

[Lollorian]

Umm, I can't access your site Tried both the homepage and KonTwk's links!

I get the normal connection was reset page in FF 9.0.1

[Zeracles]

Umm, I can't access your site Tried both the homepage and KonTwk's links!

I get the normal connection was reset page in FF 9.0.1

It's your ISP, blocks my home PC (because it's just a home PC connected to a regular ISP with a dedicated IP) (post a link to your's ISP web site and i'll write a request to stop doing it),

have you read the rest of my post and considered it?

yes, I'll write a detailed reply as soon, as I'll get home.

It's a problem with the virus scanners, not the mods.

But why all scanners show the same (and just replacing the file, that should be weidu.exe with an actual weidu.exe solves the problem?)
I happen to have some knowledge into those "31337 eXe (ryp70r5", packers, joiners & RATs - the antiviruses don't lie, believe me

[Zeracles]

Let's face it - use the linklist that I posted a link to before, and the one in ShadowTek's sig.

If anyone wants me to, I can make up another Big World Setup - in Java, as that's the only language I really am proficent in.

That's just the thing, i've dreamt about. I'll even buy you a domain name for your software or donate some money ))

[Graoumf]

You can donate some money for Spellhold Studios, and there is already a place where BWP's mods are hosted: again Spellhod Studios.

I'm not going to paraphrase ShadowTek: what he said is the good way to think.

But on the contrary of ShadowTek, I'm not sure you want to help. You want everything easier for the players, ok, but even if you must state the obvious for this (in french we say "enfoncer des portes ouvertes"). You're acting against the modders like that, and without modders the community is nothing. I don't feel respect and wisdom in your acts. If you go on like this, you will get nothing but hostility from modders (and so players too in fine).

If you really want to help, there are many mods that need to be beta-tested. But I'm not sure you really want to help.

[ShadowTek]

You can donate some money for Spellhold Studios, and there is already a place where BWP's mods are hosted: again Spellhod Studios.

I'm not going to paraphrase ShadowTek: what he said is the good way to think.

But on the contrary of ShadowTek, I'm not sure you want to help. You want everything easier for the players, ok, but even if you must state the obvious for this (in french we say "enfoncer des portes ouvertes"). You're acting against the modders like that, and without modders the community is nothing. I don't feel respect and wisdom in your acts. If you go on like this, you will get nothing but hostility from modders (and so players too in fine).

If you really want to help, there are many mods that need to be beta-tested. But I'm not sure you really want to help.

Thanks.. I wasn't gonna post here again, but I have to say I try to see the best in people.. but you may be right here.. tell us if we are wrong Zeracles.. please do the right thing... If you insist on this path.. I want nothing else to do with you. We all have explained the error of what you are doing.. I guess you can either respect that or not.. Ive only tried to be kind to you, as I think you just wanna help, but Graoumf may be right.. but I hope hes not.. just do the right thing..

Edited by ShadowTek, 01 January 2012 - 01:49 AM.