The Dependency Debate

[RebaLynnTS 275]

One thing I have started doing is putting my read me files online. This way you can always find out the latest info on my lots, and get upto date dependency lists (and links). I also try to limit the number of dependencies to a minimum.

[SC4BOY 20]

If I understand it correctly THIS THREAD is about a fellow trying to do what you're suggesting. It's on his home pc. I've never been able to get in, so I can't say for sure.. but you might coordinate with him if you can help him out. He is on GMT time

[SoulAssassinBBE 0]

Hello,

this is my first post on this forum. Having only recently discovered how much fun Sim City 4 is I found myself having a desire to get quality usermade content. Google quickly led me here and I'm glad that there's such a huge community still active.

A few years ago I co-founded a modding group for SWAT3 known as BBE. It wasn't a very popular game altogether but it had a surprisingly large modding community. One of the key principles in that community was that anyone could use any other mod in their own, whether it based on that mod or just used it in a compilation did not matter. This freedom was only limited in two ways:

- One always had to credit the work of others that was included, unless stated that no crediting was required.

- One could not use the work of others if they had explicitly stated they did not want their work to be used in other mods.

Any limitation would be stated in a readme.

 There were a couple (2 or 3) major websites that distrubuted the files, which saw to it that these rules were followed, with the help of the community. If there was a legitimate complaint, then the file would be removed and the uploader warned or banned.

I've seen the argument here that downloaders should be grateful to get free content that other people invested time in. I really disagree with this. In my experience, it were the modders who were equally grateful: to see that people were enjoying their work. They made mods, uploaded them and were then grateful to see comments about it's quality.

Also, i've seen stated here that this dependency method 'saves time and diskspace'. This rather depends. I have a fast internet connection, as do many people nowadays. Therefor, download times as commonly so low that one can hardly use this as an argument. What is an argument though, is the times it takes to find and download every single dependency, that is if you can find them at all due to broken or missing links. In addition, one should not be forced into bookkeeping a modlist merely because someone else has decided that diskspace or any other spec is a factor. Diskspace is often not a factor considering todays HD capacity and people should be given a choice here. For example having 2 versions: a full version or a basic version without the dependencies.

Well, that's about it I suppose. Please don't consider me as some new guy trying to attack how everything is organised here, because it's not meant that way. I just think some aspects of it are a bit inconvenient.

If I've gotten someone wrong about the way things work here, my bad, I did read large parts of this section.

PS: To find the word "free" in a discussion like this one is beyond me., because everyone who modded that I ever knew (and there were a lot) was someone who simply loved the game and enjoyed it (and making content for it) as a hobby, which has nothing to do with monetary gain. But I'm sure this goes for 99% of the modders here as well.

[offamychain 0]

A view from a newbie here, but definitely not a newbie to these type of simulation games....dependencies are simply a pain in the behind. It's easy to say, "I'll just include 1 or 2 of them".....but did you check if THEY had dependencies?? And did you check if the file was even still available.....or is it one that you've had on our computer forever?? I've ran into both of these problems very quickly & very harshly during the couple weeks that I've been back into SimCity4....it's almost, but not quiet, enough to make one want to just use the stock content.

It has the potential to easily develope into a chain of destruction. I recently downloaded about a dozen very nice buildings from the same artist. He WAS nice enough to provide clickable links in the readme, but 40% of them led to "Content not found" pages on the STEX. 25% of the rest needed dependencies for the dependencies. So, what I got in the end, was 4 or 5 good buildings out of about 12. Now i'm stuck with hunting down the ones that have been moved somewhere else, or now included in "Volumn 2" or "Volumn 3"....and also having to track down the dependecies that the dependencies need. Very quickly produced nightmare.

My personal opinion on anything that I might make & put on a site like STEX is that I made it for the community, I had fun doing it, I hope others will have fun using it, & ANYONE can use it HOWEVER they want....with, or without, mentioning my name. If I was that particular about my creation, I'd keep it to myself & put it on my own commercial site for sell.

Maybe someone some day will come up with a dependency locater....you include a text file of the dependency name, plug it in the program, & it automatically searches for all of them & downloads the appropriate ones.....including any files that THEY need to operate. But even then you would have to hope & pray that the dependency is still the version that was used for the file & that it hasn't been updated so that it no longer even works with the one you're after.

As others have also mentioned, I feel that calling this point of view "juvenile" is a bit harsh. That more-or-less invalidated the title of the thread. It's not a "debate" anymore, but a lecture about how you are wrong and/or childish if you don't like dependencies. I definitely look for the words "No dependencies!!" when I download. It shows that the author is really thinking about his audience & went out of his way to make a GOOD piece of content....but also one that is EASY.

If you make a new piece of content & your dependency list is the longest thing in the readme.....you probably need to seriously consider trimming it down a bit. Keep it fun guys, that's why we're all here. Searching up & downloading 7 files to get one nice building just isn't that fun.....no matter how good they look.

A possible solution to this could be, if you are just determined to use others content, ask EACH artist if you can include it in the download. Zip them all up in one package...problem solved for everyone. When the final user gets the product, it will work perfect the first time, as long as you've tested it before publishing. If one of the authors DOESN'T want to let you do this, then that should be a good sign that you don't need to use that specific dependency anyway.

JMO

[Hahayoudied 3]

That reminded me of that one time I really wanted to download this one  building. When I looked at the dependecy  list,  there were  12 of them. 10 of them I couldn't find, so  I gave up. Can't we put all the dependenices into one giant mega pack?

    That would greaty reduce the hassle of trying to find the correct dependenices.

[offamychain 0]

Originally posted by: Hahayoudied That reminded me of that one time I really wanted to download this one  building. When I looked at the dependecy  list,  there were  12 of them. 10 of them I couldn't find, so  I gave up. Can't we put all the dependenices into one giant mega pack?

    That would greaty reduce the hassle of trying to find the correct dependenices.quote>

 

 Yup....I know the feeling....."Volumn 1 & 2 have been included in the new Volumn 4. AB-Pack is now called CD. Mega 1 & 2 are now Mega-Mega Pack, but only 1/2 of Mega 1 is in there. The remainder has been renamed to Mega-Half.  Pack A1B2 has been discontinued & Pack-Zero has been lost."

It's just a vicious cycle that doesn't have to be. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to give up on the buildings I downloaded & go find some others. Sad.

[Joetropian1 1]

They should have an editable list of dependancies available right in front of everyone who goes to the STEX, a kind of MEGA-MEGA-MEGA Dependency Holder where an uploader could have the dependencies to his new uploadable added in. Unfortunately if you've got a small computer and want only a few of the lots you'd probably be downloading a _ _ _ megabyte file with a bunch no one's going to probably need.

JT1

[Joetropian1 1]

Where is everyone!? Wow. over a month without activity.

I have made my decision for anyone who cares. I went to the SC4D CSX LEX to find some waterfront lots. I found a few things from Colyn, but one thing I found, CSX WFK - Malta, had 21 (!!!) dependencies with no links (!!!) !!! I think that is absolutely ridiculous personally, so I gave up on the lots.

I really think that if there are going to be dependencies, there should probably at the most five, correctly linked, and hopefully not out of site.

I once found one that had a vital dependency that was out of site on a locked website with a broken link!

JT1

[dedgren 830]

Anyone who would ever come to SC4D and have difficulty locating a dependency for a file on the LEX is more than welcome to PM me there (or here- I may not see it for a while, though) to get some help. I'm glad to do that- don't hesitate.

David

[north country dude 202]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassinBBE Hello,

this is my first post on this forum. Having only recently discovered how much fun Sim City 4 is I found myself having a desire to get quality usermade content. Google quickly led me here and I'm glad that there's such a huge community still active.

quote>

Yes, especially for a game that's 5 years old!

- One always had to credit the work of others that was included, unless stated that no crediting was required.

- One could not use the work of others if they had explicitly stated they did not want their work to be used in other mods.

Any limitation would be stated in a readme.

quote>

Which is exactly why dependencies exist.

I've seen the argument here that downloaders should be grateful to get free content that other people invested time in. I really disagree with this. In my experience, it were the modders who were equally grateful: to see that people were enjoying their work. They made mods, uploaded them and were then grateful to see comments about it's quality.quote>

THIS is exactly why I don't submit custom content anymore.

You see, when my work was originally uploaded and fresh, the dependency links worked. I was happy to share my WORK with anyone who wanted it, but, when the whiners began sucking all the fun out of my personal efforts, eh?, I lost interest.

1) Over time, things get moved, hacked and destroyed, combined, replaced, etc; The more content a person creates, the more work the author has to spend keeping up with all the changes. At a certain point, the author is spending more time checking and updating their content, rather than actually creating any new content. (I will agree on only this issue, it has become an problem recently, but it is not insurmountable, just inconvenient for the time being.  OLD content will generally have broken or outdated links)

2) The author has spent a lot of time and effort (including searching for the best props and/or textures) in creating custom content, usually by request, and when they share it with the public, it is a gift to others who share their interests. What kind of person humiliates, badgers, or berates a giver of gifts?

3) If people read the 1st post in this topic, they would understand that I was saying that there is a polite and tactful way of handling the issue. Flaming the author isn't going to make everyone stop using dependent files, it will just get you banned from the site. Being rude to the author will just get you ignored.

4) Sure, It's great when you can just 'double-click' a couple times to get what you want, but if you have to do a little research and digging to get that extra something, don't flame the author.

Understand this: it's your choice of what you double-click on and download, it's your choice to do the extra digging if you really want that OLDER custom content, it's also your choice to decide what you choose to ignore and pass on. The authors too have their own set of responsibilities and choices.

Also, i've seen stated here that this dependency method 'saves time and diskspace'. This rather depends. I have a fast internet connection, as do many people nowadays. Therefor, download times as commonly so low that one can hardly use this as an argument. What is an argument though, is the times it takes to find and download every single dependency, that is if you can find them at all due to broken or missing links. In addition, one should not be forced into bookkeeping a modlist merely because someone else has decided that diskspace or any other spec is a factor. Diskspace is often not a factor considering todays HD capacity and people should be given a choice here. For example having 2 versions: a full version or a basic version without the dependencies.quote>

Wrong and wrong and finally, wrong. It has nothing to do with the user's computer, internet speed, or hard drive capacity. It has everything to do with: 1) the hosting site's rules and bandwidth limits, and 2) as a precaution against plagiarism.

Well, that's about it I suppose. Please don't consider me as some new guy trying to attack how everything is organised here, because it's not meant that way. I just think some aspects of it are a bit inconvenient.quote>

Imagine the inconvenience the authors of custom content have to put up with.

If I've gotten someone wrong about the way things work here, my bad, I did read large parts of this section.

PS: To find the word "free" in a discussion like this one is beyond me., because everyone who modded that I ever knew (and there were a lot) was someone who simply loved the game and enjoyed it (and making content for it) as a hobby, which has nothing to do with monetary gain. But I'm sure this goes for 99% of the modders here as well. quote>

To answer why the word "free" is used regarding custom content, answer these questions; Did you make it yourself, or, do any work on the specific content? Did you purchase it? Did you barter for it?

If you answered "No" to all three questions, then it is generally considered "free". Point of interest: there is custom content for other games that you actually have to pay money for.

[cookies 4]

Not to bump pointlessly, but I've been seeing this debate, and thought I might lend 2 cents. I use Linux (Ubuntu Specifically) and dependencies are nothing new to me. I never really deal with them, though, because of apt-get. It does it all for you. It looks into a list of packages ("repository"), and a list of dependencies. It then automagically downloads all needed dependencies, installs them, and then installs the package. Now, this works because Ubuntu has a huge list of software with a standard way of naming dependencies and packages. There is a list of dependencies that I have seen, that's a good start. What would need to be done is vigilantly be authors of BATS to list all depenedencies according to the names on that list, a program would then look at this list before downloading the package, retrieve the dependencies, install them, and then install the package. This means names of dependencies would need to stay the same (version numbers could be used for older packages eg, dependency_X_1.5), and there would need to be a permenant place to host them, so the links don't change, and so older versions could also be downloaded for older BATs. That requires server space, though, and a program to do all the downloading and installing. (sim-get, anyone? ) Just my thoughts.

[north country dude 202]

Originally posted by: cookies ... It then automagically downloads all needed dependencies, installs them, and then installs the package. ...quote>

Automagically; adv., 1) A series of incantations used by most techno-mages to produce reliable software that will amaze  the common user. The recitation of these incantations can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. See also: Mageware.

I think the "techno-mages" at Sim City 4 Devotion are currently reciting the incantations for a similar type of program or service you are describing.

[Follarch 326]

I was just ready to gape my mouth open. I can't believe the number of dependencies I needed for one single BAT. And the almost funny part of this was that it was a small STARBUCKS shop. Wanna know all the dependencies I saw on the readme, 24! It told me to have 24 dependencies to make sure the little Starbucks worked. I instantly deleted it. No little BAT like that was worth 24 dependencies.

Something has to be done to narrow down the number of dependencies considerably, or to none at all.

Archean~

[cookies 4]

Originally posted by: north country dude

Originally posted by: cookies ... It then automagically downloads all needed dependencies, installs them, and then installs the package. ...quote>

Automagically; adv., 1) A series of incantations used by most techno-mages to produce reliable software that will amaze  the common user. The recitation of these incantations can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. See also: Mageware.

I think the "techno-mages" at Sim City 4 Devotion are currently reciting the incantations for a similar type of program or service you are describing. quote>

Hope so, I am so not one for dependencies, I'm terribly unorganized and lose them.

[BarbyW 40]

Originally posted by: Archean I was just ready to gape my mouth open. I can't believe the number of dependencies I needed for one single BAT. And the almost funny part of this was that it was a small STARBUCKS shop. Wanna know all the dependencies I saw on the readme, 24! It told me to have 24 dependencies to make sure the little Starbucks worked. I instantly deleted it. No little BAT like that was worth 24 dependencies.

Something has to be done to narrow down the number of dependencies considerably, or to none at all.

Archean~quote>

 

Did it not occur to you that a large green cylinder on a lot with 24 dependencies might be a joke? As the Nuclear Starbucks Anniversary Edition by thequiltedllama is the only Starbucks with 24 dependencies it must be that one. 

This debate is getting really stupid when someone complains about something  as obviously a joke as this.

[Neddiggis 1]

I can't believe this debate is still raging after all this time. Seriously, if you don't want it don't download it. Dependencies are here to stay, whether you like it or not.

[dolphin66 5]

I haven't chimed into any discussion at ST for a long time but you know..this time I will make an exception and give my 2 cents again. 

I don't worry about dependencies..you know why? I have them all so when a new lot comes out..I don't have to download anything but the lot. I keep up to date with prop packs. It's really a simple task. BSC members have done everything they can to make "dependencies" as painless as possible by merging small prop packs into mega packs and including a "remove" list so you can have the "cleanitol" do the work for you. It's a wonderful little program that is very, very, easy to use. 

Once last thing,,Most BSC lots that are on the STEX are outdated and have been updated and uploaded to the Lex at SC4devotion.  As Dedgren posted earlier, any issues with anything on the Lex, just send someone a PM and it will be looked into ASAP. So..complaining about dependencies doesn't do any good..there is always a simple solution to any problem with them.

[fabsies55 5]

yea but at the same time some people have like a limit on downloads and like me too many stuffs up my computer and the game.

also for some reason i don't know how to stop it i can't install many things because it freezes my computer for like 5 minutes and i can't do anything,

and most dependencies need installing.

so when theres a new lot i like with 15 dependencies i can't get it.

(if someone has a solution about this installing problem please let me know)

[Andreas Roth 607]

Installing SC4 files shouldn't take five minutes, if that's the case, there's really something wrong with your computer. Maybe your antivirus software is too rigid and does a deep scan of all files or something like this - which shouldn't me necessary, since nobody of the "trusted" BAT teams would upload viruses on purpose. Anyway, I don't see why downloading and installing dependencies is such a hassle for some people - after all, you only need to do it once. Once installed, they will provide content for hundreds or even thousands of lots. And most lots use the same 10 or 15 dependency packs, so if you have those installed, you rarely need to install another pack later - and if you don't like to install even more, you can simply pass.

[GMT 389]

I think the problem most of the people have is that there's - apart from downloading additional things to make 1 think work properly - that it's not just 1 dependancy pack but 5 - x packs.

doesn't bother me no more since I download all prop packs.

But what bothers me is that there's some props released that are later combined into a megapack so you have to delete previously downloaded things.

really a pain in the butt when you have to entirely redownload all your sc4 content cuz the hdd crashed...

if megapack installers would automatically delete "expired" files, I'd be happy :-)

[toxicpiano 125]

The problem with a mega mega pack is where would you host it? It'll probably run into well over 1GB, which is much more than most free accounts will let you upload (unless someone with a fileplanet or filefront account would be willing to host), and also there would be problems with permissions etc.

[Patricius Maximus 236]

I have absolutely no problem with Lot/BAT dependencies, as long as a link is provided . 

The only problem I have is when someone uploads a lot with many dependencies with no links to them. Then, time for hard searching.

Other than that, I have no trouble with dependencies.

[eroseu 0]

I've not participated here for a while, mostly sinde The 7 Trumpets left...

I don't really like dependencies either. But I don't like to get up early in the morning and go to work every single day!

But that's the way life is! Get used to it.

If I share something I made, I share it the way I want. If you like it, very good. If you don't like it, very good anyway, as long as you don't mistreat me for it.

Anyway I do think that batters, modders and lotters should try to organize and keep a list of dependencies actualized and simple. But would also like to have 100 days of vacations per year, and I wont get it...

Just my two cents!

[GMT 389]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano The problem with a mega mega pack is where would you host it? It'll probably run into well over 1GB, which is much more than most free accounts will let you upload (unless someone with a fileplanet or filefront account would be willing to host), and also there would be problems with permissions etc.quote>

Well I wasn't talking about 1 megapack covering everything, I was talking about when several dependencies are packed into one pack, like the BSC does all the time, that you actually have to delete expired files on your own (or with the cleaningtool) what actually takes ages when you have to reinstall everything like I do at the moment.

I'd rather see an automatic deletion when the megapack installs.

[Shingure 56]

Originally posted by: Shingure Ok. After looking into this issue since early September I have come to a conclusion.

First off for those that create custom content . You are doing a bang up job at keeping SC4 fun and kickin. But I must say that Physco-Teddy has a point. I have looked up a certain lot. I got the lot. Had 5 dependencies. Ok. So I get those dependencies. Then I found out that out of the 5 dependencies 3 had dependences. So I got those. Then 2 of the dependencies from that bunch have their own props. Which is another 50 or so dependencies.So in the end it gets to a point in which it's a headache. Putting up so much of an effort looking for these lots. Then you have to worry about space. And compacter programs arent as reliable as they seem. They crash and corrupt or outwrite files and make a bunch of mistakes. The Cleanitols work to a CERTAIN extent by in the end it can only go so far. Plus There was a statement said about how the author's content cant be mixed up with others. Well over in LEX Bixel's stuff is spread across 12 prop packs. And for what. If I was speaking in algebra here arent isnt all of bixel's stuff like terms. So can theybe combined to a certain point to avoid the " Run around "Factor. Yes , I think so. And the do it yourself thing runs along with what I have said above. Some compresser programs arent that reliable.

For those of you who download the content. If you are too lazy to go out and get the dependencies so be it. Or rather lot it yourself. Ive seen for myself that alot of custom content costs money. And I also note that were are lucky to have a rule in the SC4CCC

( Simcity 4 Custom Content Constitution ) that says that by law of the site content must be free. But all I ask is not complain. Ive complained I know, I sound like a hypocrit. But I looked into the issue further before making this statement. In the end try to use folders and better still yet just incase of crashes store your content on disks. If you dont have the room yet you have the buildings themselfs and lot editor then be creative. That's what our 4 Fathers did here when Simtropolis didnt have BATs they had Lots in which they used the props to make new buildings.

Anyway This is the end of my statement.

Creators - Keep It simple silly in terms of content and dependencies

Downloaders - Your choice to download and lot . If you dont want the dependencies you can lot yourself or dont get it. If you do want it I suggest you get the dependencies.

Shinji E. Gurejiquote>

 

Read this post above...This is from PAGE 4

Alittle extra that can be added is that most prop packs are actually easier to get then they were a year ago. Because many have been grouped. Sure it's a pain to find a pack out of comission and the BSC sometimes won't put the link to the superceding pack, But imagine if the dependencies were singular...It would be complete hell and you would be looking for hours on end. 

Also I have noticed that many BSC BATters are trying to keep the dependencies down by untilizing the props from other packs instead of making new ones. I can commend them on that. I used to complain about it but for high quality work like theirs , there will be an expense, Maybe not monentary , but time wise. We should be thankful and I mean very that the file that you want isn't 5 dollars and the dependencies a dollar per. Please everyone. I see it from both sides. As a lotter it's a matter of making the building look good. As a person who utilizies these lots ingame it's a matter of easy downloading and access.

I think that the issue should be closed because it isn't getting worse but it is infact getting better . Because the amount of buildings and the amount of props are slowly evening out nowadays.

Shinji E. Gureji

aka

Ervin H.

[patriots_1228 51]

Shinji E. Gureji or Ervin H.?

pick a name lol.

[GMT 389]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano The problem with a mega mega pack is where would you host it? It'll probably run into well over 1GB, which is much more than most free accounts will let you upload (unless someone with a fileplanet or filefront account would be willing to host), and also there would be problems with permissions etc.quote>

gotta quote it again.

After downloading all dependencies from the sc4d exchange and running the cleanitol in the last couple of weeks, my folder with nothing but BSC props goes beyond 1.7gb.

crazy... but therefore I don't have to worry about any of their dependencies no more

[dolphin66 5]

Have you looked into getting another program called "SC4DatPacker"? It's another wonderful tool that will compress your folders even more. Then if you get the SC4 Start Up Manager, you can choose which folders you want for any city and that will also reduce the amount of un-needed custom content while playing also. Check into these wonderful and very useful tools..they will make game play so much more fun!

[SenorSammy 0]

thanks for the article!

[north country dude 202]

Originally posted by: Archean I was just ready to gape my mouth open. I can't believe the number of dependencies I needed for one single BAT. And the almost funny part of this was that it was a small STARBUCKS shop. Wanna know all the dependencies I saw on the readme, 24! It told me to have 24 dependencies to make sure the little Starbucks worked. I instantly deleted it. No little BAT like that was worth 24 dependencies.

Something has to be done to narrow down the number of dependencies considerably, or to none at all.

Archean~quote>

Get a grip. That was obviously a joke,...c'mon, a Nuclear Starbucks???

More to the point, the entire article ("The Dependency Debate") was meant to point out and give advice about leaving nasty, unconstructive, replies on the STEX pertaining to dependencies. Like the one you left here:

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=15202

So tell me, specifically, why do you think that one deserves a bad rating? Did it fail to perform as advertised? Did it not look like the in-game picture that was provided? Was there something about it that could have been done better and still achieve the same visual impact?

OR, as you stated,

It uses too many dependencies for your liking or ability to retrieve? It uses a total of 5 dependents, and one of them is my own texture pack. In my opinion, without the other prop packs, the lot would appear quite plain and ordinary.

OR, as you stated,

The dependencies used were too large?(>2mb) Hmm, that's really hard to get around, since the texture pack alone was 3.4 mb. If I had made all of the props, buildings, and textures for that Lot, the entire package would have been greater than the 10mb limit that the STEX allows.

So, tell me, what is so bad about my making a unique texture package, searching and downloading for just the right props and buildings, putting them together with the Lot Editor, Transit enabling it, tweaking and testing it, putting together a detailed description complete with hot links to the dependents I used, and finally releasing it on the STEX for others to use.

Tell me honestly, what on earth did I do so badly that it deserved a negative comment and rating?

---

The whole point of "The Dependency Debate" was meant as a guide to what dependents are, and why they exist. The article also advises against bashing and flaming the contributors of custom content based purely on individual preferences.

Another thing. These random claims and unfounded rumors about "Dependencies within dependencies" are exaggerations of what is really happening.

Fact: No texture package used as a dependent contains an outside dependent.

Fact: No prop package used as a dependent contains an outside dependent.

Fact: A Building model, or BAT that is used as a dependency and released as a Lot may have dependent files associated with it. BUT YOU DON'T NEED TO GET THOSE!!! Just downloading the Lot that contains the building model is enough to eliminate the dreaded "Brown Box" for the Lot you are trying to get dependent files for.

"Something has to be done to narrow down the number of dependencies considerably, or to none at all." -What's so wrong with using your own discretion?

Think about it, if my personal preference is that I don't like dependencies, or I don't like large dependencies, or too many, and the file on the STEX that I happen to be looking at does not meet the criteria stated above, why take the time to leave a nasty comment, instead of using that time to search for files that do meet my personal preference criteria?

What's the thinking behind that? "If I leave enough nasty comments about using dependencies, maybe they'll stop using them and post what I want." -umm, no, they won't, you'll just get yourself banned or labeled a trouble-making troll is all.

A better article:

The Dependency Debate

1) Use your own discretion when downloading and use common courtesy when leaving comments.

The End.