Date of EQ2Map auto-updated files used in latest uploaded zip file: 7/30/08

Mod Purpose and History:
This mod is basically a newer version of mother9987's terrific EQ2Map Map Spoiler Project mod. I was prompted to make this version because the spoiler links were never updated often enough to be more then a small subset of those available as EQ2Map POIs (Points of Interest). And the links that did exist often weren't descriptive enough. I also updated the mod name to be "POI Finder" because its not really a spoiler tool (in my eyes at least). All the info it provides is already part of the basic EQ2Map mod - but that info was very difficult and annoying to find especially on the large and heavily POI'd outdoor maps. Using this mod, finding the POI you need for a quest should be considerably easier.

Features:
Basic features are identical to mother9987's version. Clicking on a link will create an X on the EQ2Map at the POI it refers to and activate the tracking path visual if you are close enough to it. Like before the POIs are split into 6 categories (Locations, Monsters, Named Monsters, NPCs, Quests, and Zone Lines) and alphabetized. And unlike before, all POI links now have tooltips that match (minus the UID info) the tooltip you see by holding your mouse pointer over the actual EQ2Map POI icon.

Tips for using:
Keep in mind if you are looking for a particular POI location that they are ordered alphabetically. And that order can be affected if "POI I Want" is entered as "A POI I Want" or "The POI I want" or "Quest Name: POI I Want". Also the difference between Quest POIs and Location POIs can sometimes be up to debate, so check both sections if you don't see it in the first one you look at.

How It Works and How You Can Contribute:
The bulk of the .xml files contained in the zip file are autogenerated using a script I created. It scans every icon_<zone>.xml file that comes with the Main EQ2Map mod and creates links for every single POI included. So if you want to contribute POI information you don't send it to me. Rather you should submit it via the EQ2Map Project section of this website. Although the new POI won't be found by this mod right away it will be there the next time I post an update. I typically post new versions built from the latest EQ2Map Autoupdates once every 2-4 weeks or more often in the weeks after an expansion adds new maps.

Or if you want to update your POI links more frequently, Jnils created an app that will auto-generate the files for you much like my personal one does. You can download it here.

Installation:

1) Install EQ2Map:
This mod is an add-on for the ever-popular EQ2Map Mod. So make sure that is installed first. It should work fine with both the Manual and Auto Updating versions.

2) Identify the correct POI Finder install directory:
Inside of your EQ2 installation directory there will be a folder called UI. Two subdirectories deep inside of that will be a folder named eq2map that contains several icon_something.xml files and a bunch of plugin_#.xml files. The tricky part is that the directory that sits 1 deep inside the UI folder and that holds the eq2map folder could be named many different things. And is sometimes also called eq2map.

This middle directory inside of the UI directory is where you need to extract the downloaded zip file for this mod. I will refer to it from here on as the POIFinder Install Directory. So if your directory path looks something like Everquest2\UI\customDir\eq2map, then your POIFinder Install Directory is customDir (doesn't have to be called customDir - could be named anything). Or if it looks like Everquest2\UI\eq2map\eq2map then it is the FIRST (left) eq2map folder.

3) Extracting the Files:
Use a program like Winzip or UltimateZip to unzip the downloaded file. When it asks you about a destination for the extracted files, point it at the POIFinder Install Directory identified in Step 2. If the unzip utility asks if you want to overwrite a pre-existing file make sure you say yes for all. At the very least it should ask about overwriting plugin_7.xml. If it does not, you may want to re-read Step 2 again.

4) First Time Install Steps:
This section only needs to be done when installing this mod for the very first time or if the last time you installed it the version was 1.00-1.20. If neither case applies to you, your install is complete. Otherwise read on...

Old Version Cleanup: If you are upgrading from a 1.00-1.20 version of this mod, look in the POIFinder Install Directory and delete the eq2ui_mainhud_poifinder.xml and eq2ui_mainhud_example.xml files. You may also want to remove eq2ui_mainhud.xml but only do if you are certain it is not being used by any other UI mods. If not sure, you can just edit it by removing the one line that has <include>eq2ui_mainhud_poifinder.xml</include>

eq2ui_custom.xml: Look in the POIFinder Install Directory for a file called eq2ui_custom.xml. If not there, rename the eq2ui_custom_example.xml file that should also be in the POIFinder Install Directory just by removing the _example part so it becomes eq2ui_custom.xml.

If you already have the eq2ui_custom.xml file, but only because you followed my v1.30 instructions to copy it from the Default directory, delete eq2ui_custom.xml and then rename the example file as directed above.

In all other cases where you already have the eq2ui_custom.xml file in the POIFinder Install Directory, don't delete it or rename the example version. While some mods like the Profit Reborn UI mod that also use eq2ui_custom.xml may have already included the necessary line to enable POI Finder, you should check by searching the file with a text editor program for the line <include>eq2ui_custom_poifinder.xml</include>. If you don't see it but do see other <include>somefile.xml</include> lines, add the line you were searching for below all the other includes. Basicly, it should look similar to the eq2ui_custom_example.xml file with the possible addition of extra <include> lines.

eq2ui.xml check: Another potential installation problem can be averted by looking in the POIFinder Install Directory for the eq2ui.xml file. If it is NOT present you should actually be fine and don't have to do anything. But if it is there, it was added by some other UI mod and you need to make sure it already contains the line <include>eq2ui_custom.xml</include>. If not, edit the file and add it below all the other <include> lines.

Don't forget to save any files you edited once you are done changing them.

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Known Issues:
None

Versions:
1.51 (12/2/07) - Open/Close button has been made slightly larger and moved further from edge to aid seeing and clicking.
1.50 (11/29) - The last "Issue" is now gone! The launch button will now both open AND close the POI Finder window. Also the button has been moved to the lower left corner (see new screen cap above) to keep it away from the POI Filter settings pulldown button. And as if that weren't enough new links wiill automatically load as soon as a new map area or zone is entered. No more mousing-over needed. Major props go to gm9 once again for providing me with the XML for these changes and fixes.
1.36 (11/27) - Functionally the same as 1.35, but I removed some un-needed extra XML from all the finder link files on a tip from Jnils. Download size is a few Kb smaller and mod may load a tad quicker.
1.35 (11/18) - Included eq2ui_custom_example.xml file with download in order to simplify the install process. More help from gm9 fixed the issue with multi-map zones.
1.30 (11/15) - Switched to use new custom.xml file that came with GU40. Much help was provided by gm9 of ProfitUI Reborn fame.
1.20 (5/16) - Added XML that will make Talyns' ShrinkMap Plugin work better by moving the POI Finder button to a less intrusive spot when map is shrunk.
1.15 (4/13) - Using ESC will now only close the POI Finder and not the EQ2 Map window as well.
1.10 (4/3) - POI Finder now does not open automatically with EQ2Map. Launch button must be used. Hitting ESC now closes both POI Finder and Map. XML was streamlined and greatly simplified. Much of the credit for these changes should be given to jnils (aka Gregorin of Runnyeye)
1.00 (3/17) - Autogenerated scrollpage and plugin_7 files; Installation path separated from old Spoiler Project version; Zone titles with parentheses in them display correctly
0.90b (3/14/07) - Initial release.