TTDPatchAutoInstaller

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 02 Dec 2005 08:47

While the discussion of GPL code and non-gpl code, and because it was mentioned in the TTDX Configurator news topic aswell, here are some informations for non #tycoon users.

As I always tried to make the support for TTDPatch easier so I started 3 days ago an installer project for TTDPatch

Some facts:
+ Web install system (a bit like the cygwin setup.exe)
+ will install TTDPatch for Windows Version.
+ checks if TTD Win is correctly installed, means it will deny installation of TTDPatch and give hints how to solve it. (Links to sites)
+ get current version info from TTDPatch by web. (This means the installer will even work in the beta phase)
+ ask the User to select a mirror for the selected TTDPatch Version
+ downloads TTDPatchW and special default config options.
+ supports different languages

* Ask the user what configuration he wants:
Like a checkbox for realistic settings, common settings.
If a old config is found, a) do a cfg update or b) let it stay intact. c) remove it and let the user decide again what configuration he wants.

+ Will create desktop shortcuts for ttdpatchw.exe
+ Will create shortcuts for manual in the the app menu aswell
* Will create shortcuts to open ttdpatch.cfg, newgrfw.cfg

+ Try to install a grf package for TTDPatch features, erails, signals so they work out of the box. Problem overwriteing maybe old grf sets...

F Give path to TTD Dir even when it isn't in the registry

+ = Finished
* = in Progress
F = Future addons

It should make the installing experience better for TTDPatch,
it should reduce support for people not installing TTD right before TTDPatch.

You can leave comments if you like but Comments about adding the support to download TTD are considered spam.

Pre alpha release
The config generation is not tested.

You can download it at http://www.ttdpatch.net/install/TTDPatchAutoInstall.exe

Hint: There is a build in system so prevent old versions running, means don't try to host it somewhere currently as I will change the required version every pre alpha release of it. So there are no broken versions around... Ohh, the link will change maybe aswell.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any harm the installer could do. Parts of it are untested.

ISA · Post by **ISA** » 02 Dec 2005 18:10

eis_os wrote:While the discussion of GPL code and non-gpl code, and because it was mentioned in the TTDX Configurator news topic aswell, here are some informations for non #tycoon users.

As I always tried to make the support for TTDPatch easier so I started 3 days ago an installer project for TTDPatch

Some facts:
+ Web install system (a bit like the cygwin setup.exe)
+ will install TTDPatch for Windows Version.
+ checks if TTD Win is correctly installed, means it will deny installation of TTDPatch and give hints how to solve it. (Links to sites)
+ get current version info from TTDPatch by web. (This means the installer will even work in the beta phase)
+ ask the User to select a mirror for the selected TTDPatch Version
+ downloads TTDPatchW and special default config options.
+ supports different languages

* Ask the user what configuration he wants:
Like a checkbox for realistic settings, common settings.
If a old config is found, a) do a cfg update or b) let it stay intact. c) remove it and let the user decide again what configuration he wants.

+ Will create desktop shortcuts for ttdpatchw.exe
+ Will create shortcuts for manual in the the app menu aswell
* Will create shortcuts to open ttdpatch.cfg, newgrfw.cfg

F *urgent* Try to install a grf package for TTDPatch features, erails, signals so they work out of the box. Problem overwriteing maybe old grf sets...
F Give path to TTD Dir even when it isn't in the registry

+ = Finished
* = in Progress
F = Future addons

It should make the installing experience better for TTDPatch,
it should reduce support for people not installing TTD right before TTDPatch.

You can leave comments if you like but Comments about adding the support to download TTD are considered spam.

Umm its sound good

Flavius · Post by **Flavius** » 03 Dec 2005 09:28

Everyone will be rapt in this tactical change of heart by eis_os.
He has isolated TTD from the action, and instead just installs the Patch and new graphics. A masterstroke.

Well done eis_os

Once again you have surprised us.......

Having thought about it for 24 hours, my instincts say to keep it simple.
Perhaps a clean install only, and not to download Alphas at least not at first.

krtaylor · Post by **krtaylor** » 03 Dec 2005 17:37

Certainly if you select "novice" settings, I think it should also install TTDXC for you.

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 03 Dec 2005 19:09

Actually for novice it will be even easier, we allow to use some presets to get a ground start.
Actually currently I try to find a good way to actually put all feature dependent grf files into a newgrf.cfg for a quick start. You install TTDPath with it and click ttdpatch *boom* instead working. Thats the goal, no need for extra configuration.

Flavius · Post by **Flavius** » 03 Dec 2005 21:51

Yes i agree with krtaylor, there is no need to tippyto onto TTDXC turf.
Keep it simple by providing minimal settings.

Would prefer one day that TTDPatch would revert to Beta's. Maybe this product could smooth the way

Think of the maintenance of tackleing Alphas, the constant releases

Not to mention the questions from novices that may have to be fielded.

krtaylor · Post by **krtaylor** » 04 Dec 2005 03:12

One thing that would be very nice, but which maybe more properly belongs in TTDXC, is a hotlink from each switch, to the relevant page on the Wiki that explains it.

Flavius · Post by **Flavius** » 04 Dec 2005 04:12

Granted i would love a link to all the patch treasures. Only it would almost certainly be an octapus. Maybe we could find a friendly ocy

spaceman-spiff · Post by **spaceman-spiff** » 04 Dec 2005 07:31

eis_os wrote:Actually for novice it will be even easier, we allow to use some presets to get a ground start.
Actually currently I try to find a good way to actually put all feature dependent grf files into a newgrf.cfg for a quick start. You install TTDPath with it and click ttdpatch *boom* instead working. Thats the goal, no need for extra configuration.

Well, that was what I wanted, give us a head start, especially usefull if you haven't played for a long time and you're behind on everything

Andrex · Post by **Andrex** » 04 Dec 2005 15:46

You should make optionally available a shortcut to TTDXC in the desktop, in order to create a mid point between users who edit their CFG under Linux and those who don't known where the heck is the CFG file nor how to open it. Also, not installing ttdxc will make those users permanently stuck with the same version, I don't have to mention the benefits of staying up top date with TTDP and the new switches and graphics and so on.

Also, you must provide proper download locations for TTD with large blinking icons and messages, otherwise tons of users will appear here asking "game ¡s not workin I dled ttd and click next but it not work heeeelp!!"...

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 04 Dec 2005 18:58

You can't install TTDPatch with the AutoInstaller before you properly install TTD. The page has already a link button for further stuff

but without a good link currently.

(And it will be always installed into the TTD Win dir, there is actually no other way

)

There are links for the manual, the ttdpatch website, and I will add links to the tools page aswell. Generally you could update your ttdpatch aswell with the autoinstaller as it knows if you have ttdpatch.cfg and will not overwrite it.
(Or you tell it to do it)

An fancy update system can be later added, currently it's not my goal. Actually the user can use TTDXC for that if they wish.
The only desktop link is and will be ttdpatch itself.
But the Start Menu -> TTDPatch can have more url links

My first goal is to have it download grf files when needed so the installer is useable. Later it can be fine tuned....

And that means I know need to teach nsis how to read newgrfw configs and check maybe with md5sums to test if the grfs is old or up to date...

krtaylor · Post by **krtaylor** » 05 Dec 2005 02:05

I think this is a very good start, and I'm looking forward to it!

Aegir · Post by **Aegir** » 05 Dec 2005 07:37

Andrex wrote:...in order to create a mid point between users who edit their CFG under Linux...

I can tell you right now, somone who is playing TTD+Patch under linux will most likely not be using this installer. Or TTDXC.

We already have to compile/install the right build of WINE, install the game manually and make registry entries manually, we usually are all pretty prepared to write our own newgrf config and edit the ttdpatch config aswell.

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 05 Dec 2005 08:47

Ehm, please stay on topic and Aegir read again what Andrex wrote you missed his point a totally.

Actually there are a lot of people who use plain old notepad or wordpad to edit their configs. Why is linux always used as example for stuff like this? I don't know and it's not part of this discussion.

NSIS is not the perfect system to create the webinstaller, so it's very problematic to read the newgrfw.cfg, result I need A LOT extra time so it's in a stage I can search victims to beta test it.

krtaylor · Post by **krtaylor** » 05 Dec 2005 15:37

In my mind, by definition anyone using Linux is something of a computer expert, and thus can be expected to be better able to figure out the details of working the Patch. No complete n00b is going to be on Linux in the first place.

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 05 Dec 2005 16:14

Didn't I wrote:

eis_os wrote:Why is linux always used as example for stuff like this? I don't know and it's not part of this discussion.

Regardless Linux is useable for "New Users" and "complete n00b".
People who never used Win32 before are quite happy with it.

But I don't want to discuss this in here. If you have the need, you can contact me via pm.

The next post without something usefull to contributed will be spam-binned without notice. *

*As GoneWacko said I shouldn't use abuse my mod-powers don't take it that serious

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 08 Dec 2005 09:26

I have added a md5sum test for grfs and can parse newgrfw.cfg more or less. This means I should be able to create an test if the grf file you are useing is the same as on ttdpatch.net for the version. Now I need some gui work and A LOT of small stuff to put all together ...

Menno · Post by **Menno** » 08 Dec 2005 09:48

I'm looking really forward to this, and I'd like to test it for you

only win98 and winXP tho, I've tried linux once, but I couldn't figure it out, but I'm not a compleet newbie! (probably I'd better use another version of linux... debian seemed quite complex)

Post by **WWTBAM** » 08 Dec 2005 10:02

Id be willing to test for 98

eis_os · Post by **eis_os** » 10 Dec 2005 20:10

Screenshots

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