Hard Light Productions Forums
General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Huggybaby on January 11, 2007, 02:24:25 pm
-
These files will soon be hosted on their own site.
Hosted by Hunter, more links may be coming:
FreeSpace2.part1.rar (http://huggybaby.fs2downloads.com/HuggybabysFreeSpace2.part1.rar)
FreeSpace2.part2.rar (http://huggybaby.fs2downloads.com/HuggybabysFreeSpace2.part2.rar)
Download both files to the same place, then un-rar the first one.
FreeSpace 1 SCP Port 3.04:
227MB 7zip, takes a LONG time to decompress (http://huggybaby.fs2downloads.com/Fs1_port_3.7z)
388MB RAR, decompresses much more quickly (http://huggybaby.fs2downloads.com/FS1_Port_3.rar)
I took Shivan's FreeSpace 2 SCP 1.9c Install and made some changes:
Cleaned up the root, moving Fred and debug files to an Extras folder.
Renamed launcher to "FS SCP Launcher 5.5a.exe". (I've been told this could be a problem, I don't know)
Ruthlessly removed every file and directory that I could get away with.
Added every manual to Extras folder.
Added latest OpenAL to Extras.
Added Hunter's Cutscenes vp file.
Added Wanderer's Nebulae and made it default.
Added the smaller shockwave3d.tga and made it default.
Added two fs2open_pxo.cfg files, with the "fs2netd.game-warden.com" header.
Sprinkled ReadMe files around to explain everything.
And a few other small things.
The root looks like this:
(http://xs511.xs.to/xs511/07024/HBFS2Install.jpg)
Then I rar'ed it into two CD size pieces.
I welcome suggestions for improvement to the next revision.
ReadMeFirst file contents:
Welcome to the world's easiest FreeSpace2 Enhanced Version Install.
Everything is included and updated already!
BUT---BE SURE TO
Follow these instructions before running your game!
1. Put your FreeSpace2 folder somewhere; the traditional location is "C:\Games". Usually we don't put spaces anywhere in the path.
2. Important: Go to the "FreeSpace2\Extras\OpenAL" folder and run oalinst.exe. If you don't, you'll get error messages.
3. Make a shortcut to "FS SCP Launcher 5.5a.exe" somewhere easy to find, like your desktop. To make a shortcut, right-click the file and drag it to its destination, then click "Create Shortcuts Here".
4. Double click the shortcut. Click on the "Browse" button at the top of the launcher. Click on the "fs2_open_3_6_9.exe" file in your FreeSpace2 directory one time to highlight it, then click "Open". Back in the launcher, click on "Apply".
5. Go to the "MOD" tab. It should say "mediavps" in the box.
(If it doesn't, click on "Select MOD". Click on the "mediavps" folder one time to highlight it, then "OK". Back in the launcher, click "Apply".)
6. In the Video tab, Graphics box, make sure OpenGL is selected. (Direct3D may work, but it's NOT supported.) Recommended Resolution is at least 1024 x 768, and 32-bit Color Depth. (Set Anisotropic Filter to Off because it doesn't do anything right now. To turn on Anisotropic Filtering you must do so in the control panel that comes with your video card's drivers.) Put the General settings to "High" and check "Use large textures". Click Apply.
7. In the Audio/Joystick tab, Sound box, select Generic Software if it isn't and hit Apply if you made a change. If you select Hardware you might not hear speech.
8. In the Features tab, go to easy setup and select "High memory usage features on" to start. That way you can see all the effects, and if your game runs too slowly you can scal back later.
That's it for setting up the launcher. Now you can click the Run button to start your game!
====================================================================
IMPORTANT! When you run your game for the first time, you may have a problem (but only the first time) related to your firewall. If you're using the Windows firewall, a box will pop up asking if you want to unblock the program, say yes or no, and you shouldn't see the message again. If you use a different firewall, you may or may not have this interruption.
You may have to ALT-TAB to get out of the program and back to your desktop so you can see the warning box. If that doesn't work, Escape out of the program. In the Launcher/Features tab, go to the "Dev Tool" list type setting, and check "Run in window". This may help you gain access to the desktop.
Uncheck the setting when you get the problem cleared up.
If you're an advanced user, you can configure your firewall permissions beforehand.
====================================================================
9. After the intro video plays (or you hit ESC to bypass it), you'll see the Create Pilot screen. Type in a name, hit Enter, then click Select or just hit enter again.
Whew! You're on the Flight Deck! It will be much simpler to start the game from now on.
10. Finally, hit F2, turn the mouse on and sensitivity all the way up. Then, at the top of the configuration window, click on Detail, turn everything up, and click Accept.
You are ready to play!
After you play a bit, see the ReadMeSecond file for some more info.
THANKS TO:
ShivanSPS. If it weren't for his installer, you wouldn't be reading this.
[DW] Hunter for his help and his hosting, and packaging the cutscenes vps. He's done way more behind the scenes than most people know.
Turey for his installer, so I could steal the extra mods he packaged.
Karajorma for helping all the above and explaining some things to me, and for his fs2open_pxo.cfg tip, and his guide.
Taylor for programming this thing, and answering my questions. He's a genius or something.
CP5670 for the shockwave3D tip.
And maybe some others, but they're all found at http://www.hard-light.net/forums. Go there and tell them Huggybaby sent you.
ReadMeSecond file contents:
In the Extras folder are all the manuals for both FreeSpace 1 and FreeSpace 2. There are lots of keys to use, but you'll quickly memorize the important ones.
To play the FreeSpace 1 Enhanced Version, you will need to download the FreeSpace Port (fsport) mod, currently at version 3.0.4. You can find it at the same place you found this game.
This game was preconfigured with the files for maximum visual and game performance. However, if you have an older machine, or perhaps an extremely powerful one, you will want to read the Advanced Effects ReadMe.txt, Shockwave3D ReadMe.txt, and Nebulae ReadMe.txt files, found in their own directories.
THE FEATURES TAB
Following are some general suggestions for settings.
If you double-click a setting and you're connected to the internet you'll be taken to an explanation at the Wiki.
Graphics:
Everything checked except "Disable scale-to-window for movies" and "Apply Lighting to Missiles".
Game Speed
Everything checked. If you have a tearing problem, uncheck "Disable vertical sync".
HUD
Everything checked.
Gameplay
Everything checked except "Toggle features for The Babylon Project" and
"Toggle features for Wing Commander".
Audio
Check Preload mission game sounds.
Experimental
You can try checking "Use specular alpha for env mapping".
Not all objects support it yet---you may see stars shining through a ship!
Dev Tool
Check "Show frames per second on HUD".
-
I'm REALLY hoping you got the recently-updated 3.6.9 Final Executables, or you'll have to re-upload these. (get them directly from the release thread, the Installer hasn't been updated to include them yet.)
EDIT: You have any mods in there? Tell me which ones and I'll give you a text file that will let people who use this update without re-downloading everything.
-
Ok...
But why is everyone these days making/writing easy-to-install/follow guides for the SCP? I mean...do we really need five different ways to do it? Not that I don't appreciate the effort, but all these different tuts will probably cause a backlash as people get overwhelmed and are not sure which to follow/download/etc.
Just my 2C.
Anyway, seems interesting, good job :)
-
But why is everyone these days making/writing easy-to-install/follow guides for the SCP? I mean...do we really need five different ways to do it? Not that I don't appreciate the effort, but all these different tuts will probably cause a backlash as people get overwhelmed and are not sure which to follow/download/etc.
I don't know.With the exception of Shivan's, all of them seem to have popped up after I first released the Installer. Maybe I started a trend. Though I think I'm the only one who asked the SCP Team before releasing my setup.
You're right though, all these methods of installing DO make things more complicated. It was simpler when there was just three choices: Shivan's, mine, and DIY.
-
Ok...
But why is everyone these days making/writing easy-to-install/follow guides for the SCP? I mean...do we really need five different ways to do it? Not that I don't appreciate the effort, but all these different tuts will probably cause a backlash as people get overwhelmed and are not sure which to follow/download/etc.
Just my 2C.
Anyway, seems interesting, good job :)
Well I spent ten hours trying to install FreeSpace through three different installers just because none of them worked, I got the forth installer to work somewhat properly.
-
Well I spent ten hours trying to install FreeSpace through three different installers just because none of them worked, I got the forth installer to work somewhat properly.
Did you try mine? If so, tell me what was wrong with it here (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.0.html).
-
It says that one needs FreeSpace already installed.
-
I'm REALLY hoping you got the recently-updated 3.6.9 Final Executables
Yes, that's where the launcher 5.5a came from. I didn't say that explicitly, but there is a screen shot showing that.
You have any mods in there?
No, it's the basic package, as again, my screenshot makes clear. Next download will be fsport.
But why is everyone these days making/writing easy-to-install/follow guides for the SCP?
I wasn't happy with any of the others.
I mean...do we really need five different ways to do it?
I wish we didn't.
all these different tuts will probably cause a backlash as people get overwhelmed and are not sure which to follow/download/etc.
This download doesn't require a tutorial, that's the beauty part. My readme is for configuring FreeSpace, not installing. And has any other readme mentioned how to turn on the mouse, or the firewall issues? Nope. Plus, there will be a website. This forum is hard enough to read already.
With the exception of Shivan's, all of them seem to have popped up after I first released the Installer
Could be. But I never saw your new downloader until I'd written my guide for cleaning up Shivan's installer. I helped troubleshoot your Java, and my guide was written before that. If you're talking about one that existed before that then I'm not sure why you wrote another one.
Though I think I'm the only one who asked the SCP Team before releasing my setup.
Is permission required? I've read comments from veterans expressing the desire for a better solution, and this is my version. If I get lots of questions from new users about how to do this and that, and how to make it work, like I've seen in relation to the other solutions, then I've failed. Time will tell.
It was simpler when there was just three choices: Shivan's, mine, and DIY.
Can't fault that logic. And it would be even simpler were there only one, wouldn't it. From three to four isn't a major difference.
Well I spent ten hours trying to install FreeSpace through three different installers just because none of them worked, I got the forth installer to work somewhat properly.
And thus, my entry. This is a package that fits on two CD's. It's not an installer.
It actually has a useful readme. I won't go into the pluses and minuses of the other available options, anyone who reads the forums can see which are causing support hassles and which aren't.
And no one else has the same details as mine.
As lengthy as my Shivan's guide is, a good handful of people have thanked me already. Nobody has asked me how to make it work either. And my new install contains manuals, the explosion tweak, etc.
Maybe Shivan's 2.0 will make this obsolete, but I didn't want to wait for the new mediavps. I will never release a patch, I don't like them. Maybe Turey will implement a GUI and an updater that recognizes existing files.
Even if all that happens, my option will still be unique.
I understand I'm stepping on toes. However, my allegiance is to the first time user, not other install creators, or veterans who don't need what any of us is offering.
-
It says that one needs FreeSpace already installed.
Then what was wrong with this one (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,43905.0.html)?
Yes, that's where the launcher 5.5a came from. I didn't say that explicitly, but there is a screen shot showing that.
I don't mean 3.6.9. I mean the fixed 3.6.9 that Taylor uploaded this morning.
Could be. But I never saw your new downloader until I'd written my guide for cleaning up Shivan's installer. I helped troubleshoot your Java, and my guide was written before that. If you're talking about one that existed before that then I'm not sure why you wrote another one.
I wrote the Java one because the NSIS one was Windows only, and was getting more difficult to update as the number of mods increased. With the Java one, the addition of a mod doesn't require any real work on my part.
Is permission required? I've read comments from veterans expressing the desire for a better solution, and this is my version. If I get lots of questions from new users about how to do this and that, and how to make it work, like I've seen in relation to the other solutions, then I've failed. Time will tell.
No, permission isn't required. I just think it's a nice idea to tell someone before you distribute their work in a project that they haven't seen.
And no one else has the same details as mine.
Such as?
I understand I'm stepping on toes. However, ,y allegiance is to the first time user, not other install creators, or veterans who don't need what any of us is offering.
Fair enough. :)
-
Wasn't aware of a new 3.6.9. There's no way I can keep up as well as your updater can.
All the differences are listed in my first post. Did you read it? Stuff like the smaller explosion, compressed Nebulae...it goes on.
And there's nothing wrong with an online installer..but it's online. Mine is ready for CD.
-
It says that one needs FreeSpace already installed.
Then what was wrong with this one (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,43905.0.html)?
That's the one that worked, after I managed to bypass an error with the cinematics installation.
-
It says that one needs FreeSpace already installed.
Then what was wrong with this one (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,43905.0.html)?
That's the one that worked, after I managed to bypass an error with the cinematics installation.
Let me update the installer, i edited it so it doesnt include cutscenes, being that you will probably be installing open on top of it.
-
I can't find any build released today.
-
the newest build is goobers new years build is the newest im aware of.
-
Taylor sent me this:
The 3.6.9 builds have been updated to have the bug fixes that we missed. Just FYI. :)
and http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/3.6.9.rar says it was last modified today.
-
So if all the ruffled feathers are done,Wihich one of these F***ing things work,With a minimum of fuss. Cause I'm Downloading Pt1 of Huggy's right now, so before I wait another 5 hours for part2 can some just say which one to use..I want a backup FSO with the mods In case my modular set gets f***ed
-
Well its your guy's fault the NEW build wasn't released on HLP yet. So its pointless to even mention the build if no one has access to it. And to top it all off turey, when you download a file, it will say it was modified the day you download it, even the time you started and finished downloading it. I will show you what i mean.
(http://cssavarice.com/images/rofl.JPG)
-
Mine works great Tamlin. So does Turey's. Of course I prefer the extras in mine.
I'll post a link to the new exe's when they're public, that will be an easy download. I don't know what bugs have been fixed, but this is an ongoing project.
-
I think that everyone should learn to do it the old-fashioned way. I first installed the HOTU version of FS2 and upgraded it with the VPs, then to ISOs, then to older FSO versions, and finally I am updated to the bleeding-edge versions of FSO. I did it all without any "easy way here" shortcuts.
I'm not saying that you guys like Turey shouldn't be doing what their doing, I'm saying that there should only be one installer, and the instructions on how to update versions is included with it. With all these new installers, in the near future newbies aren't going to have a clue how to set anything up without installers. You guys are essentially making more work for yourselves by creating installers that need replacing every few months, than by posting an official guide on the forums that you can just copy and paste into the thread, PM to someone, or include with the SCP files. Of course, it would have to be done by the SCP team and stuff like that for it to be official.
All the guides out now, no matter how close, are different from each other, and that creates problems in situations like:
"XXX bug occoured. what I do?"
"did you follow the instructions? do YYY"
"that made it worse."
"read over ZZZ guide again"
"But I used AAA guide"
"you two should use BBB guide, it works well."
"hey, persons 1,2, and 3! I thought that CCC guide was the only one"
"no, I made that one up for you on the spot. It's based on BBB guide thought"
"I am going to make an official FSO guide called DDD"
"don't bother, everyone will just use the EEE guide"
In the end, we will have to eliminate all guides and installers except for one. There is to much un-conformity out there to trust that someone might accidentally make one wrong, or it be interpreted incorrectly.
...
:nervous:
-
Hunter: go to http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/ , look at 3.6.9.rar, check last modified date.
So if all the ruffled feathers are done,Wihich one of these F***ing things work,With a minimum of fuss. Cause I'm Downloading Pt1 of Huggy's right now, so before I wait another 5 hours for part2 can some just say which one to use..I want a backup FSO with the mods In case my modular set gets f***ed
If you want the mods, you'll have to get mine (unless I'm mistaken, Huggy said that his had no mods.)
I think that everyone should learn to do it the old-fashioned way.
That's the way I first installed. I just got tired of walking people through installing FreeSpace Open, so I made something that would do it for me.
I'm saying that there should only be one installer, and the instructions on how to update versions is included with it.
Mine DOES include updating.
-
Thanx Bud.. Got to put my kid back to sleep Later..See Turey I have I thinks all the mods that are[ i think]
My problem is getting them to work.The original download was the Oct one.That seems to be the spark of this flame. So I buidlt[ oops it ]modularlly got the Uberpack and went from there but I'm missing stuff Like models I.E. an Athen adv. model and the ability to shoot stuff down in FS port and so on I'll be back.. Kids now screaming
-
Actually, Taylor compiled a bleeding-edge build today, but its location is not generally known. :drevil:
-
Hey i just found abuild 3.6.9 INF in fs2 warpcore what is it ?another dam buiild after all this.Or is it the Infernoes set [the one for them to be scp,.. stand alone] Or another update?
-
Nope. Its not a build intended for general release. Taylor compiled it for someone else to test out a specific bug that that someone was experiencing. As usual, as soon as I heard about it, I kept my eyes sharp and on the lookout in my usual sources, and BAM. I believe that Taylor said that it was based on his own current code tree, which isn't in CVS. That said, since he didn't intend it for general release, I'm not gonna tell you where it is. :P
-
Hey that's cool.... what new, what Idon't know what your talking about. ;) and I don'tlike smileys
I'm beginning to think we need to break out the the Nerf bats[bam.. homey don't play that] ..Good work to all youz..I couldn't do this, Soldier of Fortune2 and StarFleetCommand3 yes but not this Sh** to busy with my restaurant but, Consolation Prize questions about food shoot them my way..SCP/FSO you get my dumb questions. Later on ..
-
Just some installer input:
Most of this is related to the files in the install, but it's the kind of stuff you want to know if you are expected to assemble a bunch of files from different sources.
Things I wished I could have read in ONE place during the installation information gathering:
1. The relationship between the 'data' folder and .vp files and the -mod switch
2. The minimum list of files needed from the retail version (mentioning which files needs to be replaced for the patched version)
3, A complete list of where those files could be found
4. Clarification on exactly whats missing from HotU
I compiled the answers to some of those questions here (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,40767.msg907080.html#msg907080). But I'm still curious about whats in the different .vp-files, and why I would like to have tangoa_fs2.vp or tangob_fs2.vp.
-
I agree with you, though my download is provided so new users won't have to figure that stuff out.
I can't answer question 1.
Hunter/Turey's Online FS2 Installer (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,43905.msg898110.html#msg898110) provides the minimum files (you might delete the updater and Fred2 files, and add movies). It looks like this:
(http://xs511.xs.to/xs511/07025/FS2Installminimum.jpg)
And Karajorma discusses the HotU version here (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/karajorma/FAQ/hotu.html).
-
you dont change the endding.avi to .ogg in transcent?
-
Good question.
I have not. That's up to the author of Transcend.
If it's been done I'll change my upload, even though it hasn't been posted in this thread.
-
But I already uploaded a .ogg vercion of the ending file in the trascend post.
-
OK, I found it.
Since you didn't give me a link (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,34098.msg907274.html#msg907274) :rolleyes:
Exactly which directory do I put the cutscenes table in?
Thanks for your awesome work!!
-
Well, after reading through all this. I'm trying to figure out why there is no mention of what any of the files do, not in either read me,
Yes I wrote a guide (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,44511.0.html) the other day, Although its almost sunk off the bottom of the modding section part of the forum, I made my guide just to install all of the necessary files to get FSO working, without modifications as it adds to the problems, its also so people who have just spent one to two days downloading the retail version (as most will no doubt grab them before looking to mod it) can get a clear and precise knowledge of what the files are. And partly because of the post that WMCoolmon put in my "this has to be the most... (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,44450.25.html)" thread.
I know that I'm very wary about what files I bung on my PC, especially if I do not know what they do and what there for.
I left out the installer, because it used the command prompt, and most things that iv used a command prompt installer for, have a tendency to just Close once it's finished, leaving you with no knowledge of what its just done or added, or they stay on your screen and even though you can read whats on there, it makes no sense as your still not familiar with what files you really needed.
There is no update information on there as there doesn't need to be, it would get updated as necessary with the new update links once i my self new of there arrival, after all, isn't that what a "modify" button is for?
-
I left out the installer, because it used the command prompt, and most things that iv used a command prompt installer for, have a tendency to just Close once it's finished, leaving you with no knowledge of what its just done or added, or they stay on your screen and even though you can read whats on there, it makes no sense as your still not familiar with what files you really needed.
this is fixed (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.msg909724.html#msg909724).
-
Well, after reading through all this. I'm trying to figure out why there is no mention of what any of the files do, not in either read me,
Umm, I'm confused. :confused: The files are already in the proper place, why would a new user care or need to know what the files do or where they go? I'm not being mean, I'd really like to know.
This is not an installer either, it's a pre-configured download. An installer is an exe, which does things to your system, which is something you seem to be nervous about. ShivanSPS makes an installer. It runs OpenAL and creates a program group and a shortcut. Turey makes a downloader. I just creates a folder and puts files there, last time I checked. It doesn't run anything.
Of the three, mine is the most passive of all. It doesn't create anything. You can virus scan my rar files. There is no exe to do anything other than run the game. All that results is a folder you can put anywhere.
The readme files are very specifically for configuring the game only. I purposely omitted anything else that might be confusing to a first time user. I didn't even include the fred documents. The single purpose is to get a new user into the game as quickly as possible.
I know that I'm very wary about what files I bung on my PC, especially if I do not know what they do and what there for.
That's why they make spyware and virus checkers. Otherwise how could you install any of the files from this site?
I know what very few of these files do. It's hard enough right now to figure out where they're supposed to be, and I didn't even do that. Like I said in my first post, I just copied what I saw elsewhere. All I've really figured out is what to remove, not what to add.
If I WERE to write something about the files, and file placement, I might look at your post (which I have, I've even posted there), but I find ShivanSPS' file map (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42280.msg863427.html#msg863427) to be much more complete. And then I would get the tools listed by karajorma (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42280.msg863427.html#msg863427) and start examining file contents.
I still welcome (and am still waiting for) any constructive criticism that is germane. :)
-
Umm, I'm confused. :confused: The files are already in the proper place, why would a new user care or need to know what the files do or where they go? I'm not being mean, I'd really like to know.
because if someone mucks something up, (it has happened with simpler tasks) how would they even know what files are FS2 files and what are MOD files, so they can sort something out.
This is not an installer either, it's a pre-configured download. An installer is an exe, which does things to your system, which is something you seem to be nervous about. ShivanSPS makes an installer. It runs OpenAL and creates a program group and a shortcut. Turey makes a downloader. I just creates a folder and puts files there, last time I checked. It doesn't run anything.
I'm not nervous about things, i just hate spending time sorting out my system when it goes pair shaped, but more to the point, you know that, i know that, but not everyone is computer tech savvy.
The readme files are very specifically for configuring the game only. I purposely omitted anything else that might be confusing to a first time user. I didn't even include the fred documents. The single purpose is to get a new user into the game as quickly as possible.
I'm not having a nag, but by doing so, they don't even know what files they are?
That's why they make spy ware and virus checkers. Otherwise how could you install any of the files from this site?
its amazing how many PC's iv fixed in my everyday business that have web access yet don't bother with virus checkers and spy ware removal.
I know what very few of these files do. It's hard enough right now to figure out where they're supposed to be, and I didn't even do that.
That's why its important to let newbies know what files they are installing and where in the install these files are located, if you don't know what these files do, how are we to help someone who asks for help with this install when / if something goes wrong?
Granted, from what it sounds like its a simple drag and drop affair once its unzipped, and it sounds lovely (something i could have done with when installing and setting up mine) but just a tad more info would have been good.
Sorry to sound like I'm having a whine as I'm not, I'm just point things out that I feel should be addressed, other than that, its a good post.
-
How about writing about these installers into FSwiki?
-
We can't even get all the launcher settings noted. ;)
Seriously though, all the downloads, installers etc. are in a state of flux right now, but soon...
-
How about writing about these installers into FSwiki?
Mine's in the Wiki, but the page is out of date. I'll fix that today.
-
My opinion on the launchers is that you guys should form a proper SCP installer team with a clearly defined list of files (with set locations) that end up on the hard drive after installation.
That way when someone has to troubleshoot an SCP installation we know exactly what we should be dealing with even before we start reading their thread and can easily see where the error lies.
-
I agree completely, and I think it will happen too.
The "clearly defined list of files" part isn't much of a problem, but the "set locations" part is trickier. I for one would welcome some authoritative guideline, since right now there appears to be more than one correct way of placing files.
<edit> I think Shivan and Turey are converging, and I when they do I will follow suit.
-
I agree completely, and I think it will happen too.
The "clearly defined list of files" part isn't much of a problem, but the "set locations" part is trickier. I for one would welcome some authoritative guideline, since right now there appears to be more than one correct way of placing files.
I think this is a good idea.
<edit> I think Shivan and Turey are converging, and I when they do I will follow suit.
We've certainly started working together, but I still would rather have one Offline Installer, and one Online Installer, and one Online Updater which will work on both of them. That's the goal we're currently working towards.
Maybe if Shivan and you could give me some way of contacting you in a faster fashion than PMs? Perhaps the Hard-Light IRC channel?
-
Check your PM.