Should Author Addons / Missions Be In .EXE Format?

[Mr_Shady]

It's hardly rocket science to put addons in the addons folder and missions in the missions folders. If every OFP addon was made up of fifteen files that had to go into certain folders and then be mauled around by another program (a mod launcher or something) then yes, .exes for all. But then the most advanced thing you have to do is move genericaddon.pbo to addons, genericmpmission.pbo to MPmissions and genericmission.pbo to missions, it's a big smelly waste of time.

So, uh, I say no.

[DeLiltMon]

Ney, ney and thrice ney!
For things like complete mods then I aggree with using them but for single addons or missions then what's the point, it's not like Winzip is hard to use and WinXP supports zip files anyway!
I like knowing where things have been installed to, especially since I'm now using mod folders for different set ups (One for playing RSF games, one for UKF development, etc) and I'd rather not have thing automatically installed to where I don't want them as well as other unwanted bits (e.g. the Portugese (spelling?) mod (can't remember their name) Williys MB Jeep addon came as an exe and that installed stuff onto my Start Menu, great just what I need!

[DBR_ONIX]

I don't like 'em (exes)
Not because of viruis etc
Just because not all of them put the files in the right place (I have ofp installed in Z:\Op Flashpoint after a few reinstalls and a hdd chage)
So I normall extract them to a temp dir, and the copy them to the addons dir (And where ever else they go)

BTW, what one had better compression ratio? Zip (/rar) or exe?

I suppose self-extracting zip/rar files are the same though..

Also, exe files, atleast one I have download have given a "Not offical exe file" type error..
- Ben

[Cpt. Red Nain]

I say: why not?
it avoid problems with a n00b putting the files in the wrong opflash directory and buggin' us with silly remarks such as "i've installed the addon/mission/campaign, but it won't work..."  

[djackl]

I don't like .exes because they always end up installing to the wrong folder, because I keep all my Games in a specific folder, so rather than Codemasters\OperationFlashpoint\whatever, it is PCGames\Codemasters\etc etc. Plus, I hate having stuff on my start menu  

[testpilot]

I'd say no because of the virus thing... but with so many MODs being created and multiple sources for files which may or may not be up(Invasion1944), it'd be nice to get offical bundles from OFPEC to make mission creation easier.  

For example, group them individually ultimate-upgrade style for infantry, helicopters etc. so US/Russian/Resistance strengths stay equal:
-i.e. "Upgrade Troop Specialist Ver1.1" would have 1990's US Rangers/SAS/BlackOps etc.. with all weapons and vehicles. KISS, and have icons next to missions showing what is needed(?) so there's no confusion.

[Comrade Joe]

One one hand, a setup.exe would look cooler and might even have a smaller file-size (nah!), on the other a zip is faster; MUCH faster.

[Morglor9]

I vote NO because, How LAZY do you have to be to not put a file in it's proper folder yourself?  I mean, it's not hard to figure out that addons go in the Addons folder in your OFP directory. It's not like the folder's are all called x5d5d359r318 or something and you have to figure it out by isolating "x".

Also, I just don't trust exe's. but I'm kinda paranoid about viruses, because I play OFP on my brother's computer.

Usually you have to locate your OFP addon folder anyway for the installation program to work. And then all the install does is pop a .PBO in your addon folder, which I could do in less time from a zip than with an installer.

Exe's only make sense for large mods, IF the files go in different folders (addons, missions, worlds...)

IMO, of course.

[El Fisho]

my opinion and vote is

Nooooooooooo   :noo:ok.why would you want those?anyone who can't install a normal zipped addon can live without one

Artak lifts his hand uptrue.truetrue

 ;D

I agree

Come on, anyone can put a file in the addons dictionary

 :hmm: can't they :hmm:

The risks far out weigh the benifits

[Homefry31464]

Gentlemen.... I think this discussion is mainly over... the norm is now to release addons as ZIP or RAR files, and only a few large mod's release EXE's.  The AAE initiative uses MSI installers, if I am not mistaken.  The point is, the norm has already been established... so further discussion on the topic isn't really needed.