Mod Support

[NeedIt]

Let's say you are going to do a pretty big mod for the first time.  Are some of the gurus willing to hold your hand through a desktop sharing situation?

What I'm trying to ask is this:

I want to do the mod myself and I'm wondering if an expert would be willing to look on and consult with any questions I might have along the way without me actually giving up control of my desktop?  Is this done?

[Kindred]

Support and answers for each and every mod can be found in the support head linked from every mod download page.

If you are asking for more detailed help, then you could post in e help wanted section.

[MrPhil]

He's asking for "hold my hand" help in developing a mod, not in working with an existing one.

No, there is no formal program for doing that. I think there's a mod developer's discussion board on this forum that might be helpful, as well as a Wiki entry or two. Bear in mind that most developers will be willing to help with packaging up a mod, once you have the code complete and working, but aren't going to help you develop the code in the first place (maybe if they get credit as co-developer).

[Arantor]

It's a curious paradox, actually. If you're up to the task of writing a large mod, you don't need any handholding in the first place.

More information would be useful though.

[NeedIt]

He's asking for "hold my hand" help in developing a mod, not in working with an existing one.

No, there is no formal program for doing that. I think there's a mod developer's discussion board on this forum that might be helpful, as well as a Wiki entry or two. Bear in mind that most developers will be willing to help with packaging up a mod, once you have the code complete and working, but aren't going to help you develop the code in the first place (maybe if they get credit as co-developer).

No, sorry to be confusing.  Basically, I want to install the ad mod myself, but I'm a little nervous about it.  I assume it's a pretty quick process - I just wanted someone there to answer questions.

I will try in the Help Wanted section - sorry I didn't notice that...

[hcfwesker]

I want to install the ad mod myself

From the way the topic originally sounded I assumed you wanted to write a MOD.

Ad MOD, is actually simple.  I have a forum with over 60 MODs, and this one installed clean on it.

Easiest steps I can tell you is

1. Backup
2. Download the most recent MOd release zip (save in a folder on your PC you can remember)
3. Admin > Package Manager > Download Package
4. Click Browse and add the Ad MOD Package, click [Upload]
5. Next page, check for any Install Errors ( if everything looks ok) Click [Install]
6. Breathe a sigh of relief for it being that simple

[NeedIt]

I want to install the ad mod myself

From the way the topic originally sounded I assumed you wanted to write a MOD.

Ad MOD, is actually simple.  I have a forum with over 60 MODs, and this one installed clean on it.

Easiest steps I can tell you is

1. Backup
2. Download the most recent MOd release zip (save in a folder on your PC you can remember)
3. Admin > Package Manager > Download Package
4. Click Browse and add the Ad MOD Package, click [Upload]
5. Next page, check for any Install Errors ( if everything looks ok) Click [Install]
6. Breathe a sigh of relief for it being that simple

Thx!  Well, quick question about 5:  how you can check for Install Errors before you click Install?

Also, does the Ad Mod modify the database itself.  I'm wondering if you have issues, if you have to restore the database or if it is just a matter of reloading all the files that you've backed up?

[SoLoGHoST]

Well, on that page, you will notice right away if any errors are detected with the package, cause SMF will tell you before it actually installs it, by highlighting the error in RED and saying "FAILED" to the right of it.  Otherwise, all rows, to the right of them, will say "Successful".  So if you don't see any "FAILED" words to the right of all of the rows, than it should be good to go and you can continue on and install the mod.

Also, does the Ad Mod modify the database itself.  I'm wondering if you have issues, if you have to restore the database or if it is just a matter of reloading all the files that you've backed up?

He is just saying to do a backup.  Usually includes both files and database.  I'm not familiar with the Ad Mod, but it is very likely that it modifies the database in some way or another.  You can backup your database in phpMyAdmin (if installed, is probably the easiest way).  I don't really think you need to backup your files, cause as far as I know, SMF automatically backs this up for you when installing a mod that makes changes to SMF files.  SMF, by default, adds a ~ line in front of the original file that was changed when the file gets modified via a Mod Package install through the SMF Package Manager.  So, really, all you need to do to bring that file back up and running is to remove the original file and restore the same file (but with the ~ line in the front of the filename), and remove the ~ character from it.

[NeedIt]

Well, on that page, you will notice right away if any errors are detected with the package, cause SMF will tell you before it actually installs it, by highlighting the error in RED and saying "FAILED" to the right of it.  Otherwise, all rows, to the right of them, will say "Successful".  So if you don't see any "FAILED" words to the right of all of the rows, than it should be good to go and you can continue on and install the mod.

Wow!  Neat feature...