To readme or not to readme

[theacefes]

I'm in a debate with myself. It's not the biggest deal in the world, but I'd be interested in players'/modders' personal preferences.

 

Thank you.

 

EDIT: Spelled Readme incorrectly in the poll title...could a mod please fix that?

[berelinde]

OK, added the appropriate "d".

 

And voted.

 

By the time I've installed the mod, I've already read the readme, so reading it again is pointless. I don't really want to see it on installing the mod.

[cmorgan]

Opposite. i want folks to read the readme every single time - it is a quick and gentle reminder that folks have worked hard on creating the contemt. I especially like the new v200 WeiDU

 

README ~myReadMe.html~

 

command, which pops it up *before* anything ion the mod is installed. Then a person can read the compnent description and choose to install or not install. (That is what task windows are for).

 

I read the readme's too, but I have this sneaking supicion that if most folks did, we would have a lot less requests for "help" ...

[theacefes]

Hey, that's nifty. I didn't know v200 had that .

[Gabrielle]

I like ReadMes. I always read them after the mod installs, provided that they pop up. I would rather not have to go looking for the bloody thing when the modder can force it to pop up after the mod installs.

 

 

 

Mods that lack ReadMes end up in the recycle bin.

[Mike1072]

I agree with berelinde. I go through all of the readmes before installing (or downloading in the first place). I don't find it that difficult to open them by hand when I want to look at them.

 

The only time it might be convenient for me is when I'm installing something large like the Tweak Pack and can't remember the details of every component - but having it pop up once I've finished installing hardly helps.

 

What I'd really prefer is that more mods had optional readmes with a prompt at the start of the install.

[theacefes]

Does anyone know if that's possible?

[KIrving]

I agree with berelinde. I go through all of the readmes before installing (or downloading in the first place). I don't find it that difficult to open them by hand when I want to look at them.

 

The only time it might be convenient for me is when I'm installing something large like the Tweak Pack and can't remember the details of every component - but having it pop up once I've finished installing hardly helps.

 

What I'd really prefer is that more mods had optional readmes with a prompt at the start of the install.

My sentiments exactly. I also, strongly, prefer when I can access the readme before even downloading a mod.

[theacefes]

Well, every G3 mod has a link to the readme on its home page.

[Azazello]

I'm with cmorgan: force the ReadMe before mod is installed.

 

Otherwise, incur the wrath of RTFM smilies.

 

There's a weidu option to prevent readme pop-ups, if someone wants that.

[BigRob]

A checkbox on the install program to pop it up after install would be good, if possible, but I would leave it on by default. That way in a repeat install, you can uncheck it and continue on your merry way.

[Gort]

I hate pop-up readmes. I always read them before installing, and pop-ups are extremely annoying. If you want to make people read credits - you can simply put them in cmd window (I think it's possible to even hide patching stuff, so the only thing to read would be credits).

[theacefes]

Readmes are not about the "credits". The point of them is so that there is a lesser chance of the mod forum getting filled up with "OMG!!11itwont install, u brok my game" reports.

 

Again, it's a case of RTFM, not just so that the people who helped make the mod can know from far away that someone is reading their name.

[Kulyok]

Pro-readme: you don't want "Where is Sarah???" all over your forum.

 

(You'll still have it all over your forum, only... not so much).

 

Remember, people who read and vote here are mostly modders or people, who reinstall mods on daily basis, not your average "Wow, Baldur's Gate has mods! More romances! Okay, I downloaded it... now where the hell is she?" players.

 

I'd recommend waiting with Weidu 200, though - it has a very annoying weidu.lock issue, and I'll personally not package the newest version in my mods until some solution is found(read: this feature is cut).

[Gort]

theacefes, I've never seen posts like "OMG i didn't know what this mod would do"

Kulyok, I think "average" BG player is actually more experienced. Now mostly old fans play it.

The "credits" part was adressed to cmorgan.