TIPS FOR RELEASING MODS

[docfu]

In order to make mods easier and more accessible please follow these simple steps when releasing mods:

 

1. Take responsibility for your project.

 

It's a big job releasing even a simple mod. Be ready for recommendations and criticism. Feedback helps make the simulator better for everyone and it's up to you to make the best of what other people suggest.

 

Other people are reading and looking at your work, even if they don't say so, so definitely take the time to do things right. When you do, you save other people time and hassle, when you don't, you cause frustration.

 

2. When you post a new mod, always edit the original post so people can find the latest information.

 

Nothing sucks more than having to re-install DCS World because you installed something broken or out-of-date. Keep your original post up-to-date so people can find the latest information about your mod without having to spend hours searching through outdated comments and irrelevant information.

 

Don't have the latest information on your mod on post #20, and then #30, and then #50. Keep post #1 up to date, and if other people post work/changes that are interesting, ask, and then include those updates in your original post.

 

3. Always post before/after screenshots (if the mod is a graphical enhancement).

 

A picture is worth a thousand words, and screenshots showing how your mod improves the simulator shows people exactly what changes, when and how. Youtube videos are even better, just be sure to post high quality ones so people can make out the difference.

 

4. Write and maintain a readme.txt.

 

People hate it when they open a zip to find a few directories with buried config files and no instructions. Save them the hassle of figuring out where stuff goes by taking five minutes to write a description of what your mod does and how it works. Be sure to link back to the original forum post as well, just so people know where to look for updates.

 

5. Include original config files and list which versions of DCS Products that your mod works with.

 

It's nice to know how to enable a mod, but it's also nice to be able to disable it as well. If you can't include the original config files, at least write a list of files affected so people know what to back up before installing your mod.

 

6. Make your work available.

 

Put your work on a site where everyone can get it with a minimum of hassle. Nothing sucks more than file sharing sites that make you wait 60 seconds to download a file or have hourly limits. Try to use file hosting sites that let people get your stuff with a minimum of hassle.

 

7. Know when to throw in the towel.

 

All good things come to an end. Remember that some day your mod may become irrelevant due to similar features being added to the original game. Be a good sport and update your original post to let people new to the board know that your mod and information are now out of date and that they shouldn't use your mod because it will mess up their game or have no effect.

 

Nobody wants to spend hours reading forum messages just to find out the mod they were trying to get to work was already implemented as a standard feature into the game and they just wasted a few hours when they could have been doing something more productive.

 

And remember, if you start a project and are unable, for any reason, to continue it, always ask and see if someone wants to take over maintaining what you start.

[PeterP]

Very good post.

 

I agree that this should be a sticky.