UI Installer

[ger]

Submitted for download. Once it gets approved, please try to break this thing so I can make it better. I'm especially interested in comments on the status bar messages and the directions, although all bug reports/feature requests are welcome. (Enjoy the teaser screenshot while you wait for Dolby to aprove the download )

[taco-man]

Looks good, great work!
You deserve some dancing tacos

[Kosmos]

Is there a way that UI Authors can use your program to make an auto-instaling package?

Sortof like a self-extracting zip folder.

This would allow the downloaders to hit the download button and select 'open' instead of save, to install the package?
The authors could upload after we have created the selfextracing file using your mod.

Personaly, I'm feeling things are getting a little complicated for end users.
With the map mod program updater, this program, the UI switcher program, the customprests program, the character UI.INI switcher, copier.

It's all getting quiet complicated for end users.
I know the UI Switcher and installer you want to make into one program eventually, but perhaps it would be better to just use it as a tool for authors, and totally remove the end users from the equation. Then they could use the UI switcher if they wanted to.
The Character INI switcher/copier could be combined with the UI switcher, so that it switches the UIs and the Character INI settings at the same time.

OR, they could just fix /loadUI, but I dont' think that is every goign to work in a way that it could replace the character.ini settings. because that information is simply not stored in the mods.
But perhaps it will save a different copy of the character.ini file in each folder..

Wait a minute. Has anyone tried that?
Does the game look in the custom folder for the character.ini also? or will it only look in root? Wow, now that would be grand. you could jsut have a character.ini file in each mod folder, and it would read it when it's switched.
like it does the other XML documents.

EDIT: In case I sounded like I was smoking crack. I would like to see only one file when I download a mod, and double click on that file and it run like a regular installer. If we want to get more sophisticated, how about making it register with windows also, so that if the user doens't like it. It can be removed with add/remove programs.

[ger]

Originally Posted by Kosmos

Is there a way that UI Authors can use your program to make an auto-instaling package?

Yes and no. I ran a quick test by renaming a valid install ZIP to .EQI and then double clicked it. When asked what program to use to open it I browsed to the UIInstaller and set it as the default program. The mod then installed as you'd expect. So if I add some code that checks the registry associations for a file type (EQI in this example) and then sets it to open with UIInstaller we could allow users to download directly to the installer, cutting out a lot of the in-between steps.

Originally Posted by Kosmos

Personaly, I'm feeling things are getting a little complicated for end users.
With the map mod program updater, this program, the UI switcher program, the customprests program, the character UI.INI switcher, copier.

It's all getting quiet complicated for end users.

I disagree. Every one of these programs is far simpler for the end user than the alternative. Not only that, but you assume that every user will be using all of the utilities, which isn't the case in many if not most instances.

Originally Posted by Kosmos

I know the UI Switcher and installer you want to make into one program eventually, but perhaps it would be better to just use it as a tool for authors, and totally remove the end users from the equation. Then they could use the UI switcher if they wanted to.

Not sure where you got the idea that I intended to roll Switcher and Installer into a single application. They're part of the same suite, not the same program. The intent has always been that the Installer was primarilly for authors to include with their mods (although with the new ideas about specially-named ZIPs even that may not be necessary) to allow end-users to install mods simply and correctly. Once the mods have been properly installed the Switcher is designed to allow end-users to easily move back and forth between different UIs.

Originally Posted by Kosmos

The Character INI switcher/copier could be combined with the UI switcher, so that it switches the UIs and the Character INI settings at the same time.

That's how it works now. Once Dolby approves the latest update check it out, it still needs a bit of UI tweaking to make it more obvious which are the basic user options and which were intended for advanced users, but on the whole I think it's relatively powerful as well as easy to use.

[Kosmos]

"I disagree. Every one of these programs is far simpler for the end user than the alternative. Not only that, but you assume that every user will be using all of the utilities, which isn't the case in many if not most instances."

Ok, I'll agree, you are correct. It's simplier than the alternative, I hadn't considered that.

Thats' great about the character INI files though!
I don't switch between the skins much, just use pieces here and there, but that utilitie will be awesome for the guys that put out the complete sets with the character files included!!!

[Humudce]

Personally I find programs like the UI Installer, and UI Switcher, and EQ2MAP updater very helpful. Sure they are not for everyone, but for those that want these tools they make things so much easier.

Back in the EQ1 days, I used the Garyik's INI Copier extensively, as many of the Complete UI mods I used required I copied the Author's INI file to my Characters so that the layout was correct. And the Maps well the Maps that were available for EQ1 well many times my Guildies had no Idea how install maps back in EQ1 they would download the map zip file from Mapfiend and then save the zip file in their Map folder in EQ1 it did no good having the maps zipped in that folder. With the tools Ger and Taco-Man have made it makes updating our EQ2 maps, and UI's so much easier.

I wish we had more tools like this back in the EQ1 days. I had to write installers for my Guild for all the EQ1 Map packs, and all the UI's. Tools like these would have saved me so much time and work.

Great Job to all of the Tool Authors.

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by Humudce

Personally I find programs like the UI Installer, and UI Switcher, and EQ2MAP updater very helpful. Sure they are not for everyone, but for those that want these tools they make things so much easier.

Back in the EQ1 days, I used the Garyik's INI Copier extensively, as many of the Complete UI mods I used required I copied the Author's INI file to my Characters so that the layout was correct. And the Maps well the Maps that were available for EQ1 well many times my Guildies had no Idea how install maps back in EQ1 they would download the map zip file from Mapfiend and then save the zip file in their Map folder in EQ1 it did no good having the maps zipped in that folder. With the tools Ger and Taco-Man have made it makes updating our EQ2 maps, and UI's so much easier.

I wish we had more tools like this back in the EQ1 days. I had to write installers for my Guild for all the EQ1 Map packs, and all the UI's. Tools like these would have saved me so much time and work.

Great Job to all of the Tool Authors.

The tools are great! Don't get me wrong! I'll be using them for sure.
It was just more of a comment and general woudlnt' it be nice down the road if..
fewer steps = fewer chances for mistakes in any thing a person does, so of course if we can combine steps, or do a couple extra steps oursleves before publishing the mods, I think that would be best over all.

I know there are some people that find it too difficult to get mods posted, or at least would rather just pust an attachment and be done with it, but personally I really like the layout of the Downloads section and get get a pretty good idea of what I'm getting before I try it, compared to the attachment method.

I don't think there are many end-users that would not like the option to install the mod from the site though! Than they don't have to handle any files really. Just find the mod they want to try and downloadit and they would be good to go and see if they like it.

[Kosmos]

Please do not use a generic name for your zipfile. Put your name or give your interface a real name other then using a generic name. Failure to do this may result in your file being corrupted.

Ok, ger I uploaded the new tracking update with 'I think' the correct format to work with your installer. One thing I am worried about is the message that I posted above. If we all start uploading files called EQ2Interface.zip is it going to cause problems?

For the UI Installer to work my file has to be named that correct?
I'm at work so I can test the installer.

EDIT: This is the file I uploaded.

[ger]

Originally Posted by Kosmos

Ok, ger I uploaded the new tracking update with 'I think' the correct format to work with your installer. One thing I am worried about is the message that I posted above. If we all start uploading files called EQ2Interface.zip is it going to cause problems?

Yeah, that would cause problems. The original idea was that you packed the installer and EQ2Interface.zip in whatever you would normally have named your zip, but that's no longer necessary.

Originally Posted by Kosmos

For the UI Installer to work my file has to be named that correct?
I'm at work so I can test the installer.

EDIT: This is the file I uploaded.

Not anymore. I'd say edit your submission to whatever you would normally have called your zip and wait a couple days. There's a big surprise in store. (I hope )

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by ger

Yeah, that would cause problems. The original idea was that you packed the installer and EQ2Interface.zip in whatever you would normally have named your zip, but that's no longer necessary.


Not anymore. I'd say edit your submission to whatever you would normally have called your zip and wait a couple days. There's a big surprise in store. (I hope )

Well, as soon as I have access to the post, I'll 're-submit it" with the change. LOL.
I'm a little confused ger?
If the installer is associated with the EQ2Interface.zip files, than how's it working if you are saying we can't upload files by that name?

[ger]

Originally Posted by Kosmos

Well, as soon as I have access to the post, I'll 're-submit it" with the change. LOL.
I'm a little confused ger?
If the installer is associated with the EQ2Interface.zip files, than how's it working if you are saying we can't upload files by that name?

That was the original intent. It will still autoload EQ2Interface.zip if you don't tell it to load anything else. But with the new EQI file-type associations that isn't the only option anymore. (Like I said, surprise coming. You don't want me to go ruining it, do you? )

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by ger

That was the original intent. It will still autoload EQ2Interface.zip if you don't tell it to load anything else. But with the new EQI file-type associations that isn't the only option anymore. (Like I said, surprise coming. You don't want me to go ruining it, do you? )

I understand now. I thought you meant "EQI File Type = EQ2Interface.zip"

Now *.EQI

Kewl!

[ger]

Within the next few days I'll be going from Beta to Release on UIInstaller. If you've noticed any bugs or thought of a feature that would be useful, but hasn't made it into a Beta version yet, please post about it. I rely on you guys and gals to smack me in the back of the head when I've messed up or forgotten something, you know.

Updates since yesterday's release:
* "Associate with EQI files" now forces Internet Explorer to open-on-click instead of presenting the save/open dialog

[bderry71]

Originally Posted by ger

Submitted for download. Once it gets approved, please try to break this thing so I can make it better. I'm especially interested in comments on the status bar messages and the directions, although all bug reports/feature requests are welcome. (Enjoy the teaser screenshot while you wait for Dolby to aprove the download )

Will UIInstaller and UISwitcher be made to work from subfolders in the EQ2 folder. ie. C:Program Files\Sony\EverQuest II\UIInstaller or UISwitcher. I don't want to add to the clutter in the EverQuest II folder.

Thanks,
Ben

[ger]

Originally Posted by bderry71

Will UIInstaller and UISwitcher be made to work from subfolders in the EQ2 folder. ie. C:Program Files\Sony\EverQuest II\UIInstaller or UISwitcher. I don't want to add to the clutter in the EverQuest II folder.

Thanks,
Ben

UIInstaller already works from anywhere. UISwitcher could be relatively easily changed to work from anywhere, but then I'd have to add a find button. We'll see once I finish with the root autodetection code on UIInstaller.

[Dolby]

Suggestion, maybe add an installer for ui-installer. That way once the site integration happens people dont even have to know how to unzip something.

Also maybe add a "install as new" button and it will auto create the folder. Then a "install as addon/patch" and when you click that it will list their current interfaces so they can select where the addon/patch should go.

I can't seem to exit the program when scanning for my EQII folder. Also on my system it crashes after about 1min of scanning because EQII is on my 2nd HD.

Add a checkbox that says "make this my main interface" OR make it part of the "install as new" button and it will auto generate the eq2.ini or maybe merge the uiswitcher into this program?

Great work so far.

[ger]

Originally Posted by Dolby

Suggestion, maybe add an installer for ui-installer. That way once the site integration happens people dont even have to know how to unzip something.

An installer is on the list for when I move from beta to release.

Originally Posted by Dolby

Also maybe add a "install as new" button and it will auto create the folder. Then a "install as addon/patch" and when you click that it will list their current interfaces so they can select where the addon/patch should go.

I like the install new/install patch & add-on idea, I'll consider it.

Originally Posted by Dolby

I can't seem to exit the program when scanning for my EQII folder. Also on my system it crashes after about 1min of scanning because EQII is on my 2nd HD.

That's odd. Does it display the folder it's scanning in the status bar? I've had it scanning up to 4 drives on my system, and granted it isn't speedy, but it doesn't crash. Any more info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Dolby]

It displays the folders then after about 1min the uiinstaller window goes white.

[gustyn]

OK I have four computers running XPPro SP2 on three of them everytime I try to run this program, the UISwitcher, or the EQ2Map updater they crash with the following error before even starting up:

"The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application"

They all work fine on the other machine though, and I did the same thing to install all of them.

[Kosmos]

Originally Posted by gustyn

OK I have four computers running XPPro SP2 on three of them everytime I try to run this program, the UISwitcher, or the EQ2Map updater they crash with the following error before even starting up:

"The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application"

They all work fine on the other machine though, and I did the same thing to install all of them.

Do you have Microsoft .NET framework 1.1 as the directions indicate you must have?

[gustyn]

Yeah, that was it thanks. Out of curiousity, what is it with .NET? I thought it was primarily for easing login onto various servers/systems. I don't install it unless I have to since I was concerned about security.

[taco-man]

.net is the same concept as java but from Microsoft. hope that makes sense to you, although it is used for servers...kinda (ASP.net) ASP.net is different from a program written in .net

[hirebrand]

Hey ger the buttons are messed up in 120 DPI. Any chance of a fix for those of us with bad eyes?