Sticky game?

[Neragua 13]

I've noticed lately that my game is getting a bit 'sticky' with all the add-ons I've thrown in there.

I'm getting the idea I should use a BAT compressor, but which one is best? I click on one and the comments will say to use the other and vice versa...

So, professional SC4ers, what do you recommend?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Depends on what you mean by 'sticky'. I often use Files2DAT by ilive to compress groups of BAT files into a .dat, but I don't use the overall compression program because of maintenance concerns. I always want to be able to get at an individual file. The other thing I do is avoid putting anything in the Plugins folder that doesn't really belong there. The game will ignore files that are not for it, but having them there means that when the game starts it still has to examine each one.

I also keep all the .zips I pull in by sticking them in a separate folder on my system named /user/Downloads.

[Neragua 13]

That's actually what I mean. Whenever I start my game, it takes AGES to load a city. I know there's a few files I need to give the old heave-ho to. Maybe removing them will speed it up a bit? I'll give that a try and if the game's still a wee bit slow on loading, I'll check out your suggestion.

P.S. I agree, I'd like to be able to get at an individual file, which is why I haven't gotten a BAT compressor (to date).

[AIX 270]

Here are some of my procedures:

• I strip out all readme files and images. Lots of BATers throw in these extra files that get installed by default or just simply lumped in. I keep the readmes in a separate folder for future reference.
  
• I only DAT Pack a small handful of my plugs: regular RCI (residential, commercial, industrial) buildings, parks, landmarks, etc. Anything that functionally changes the game (e.g. NAM, RHW, NWM, CAM, etc) I do not recommend packing.
  
• I always test each new download in a blank sandbox region for bugs or other issues before using. Buggy plugins can cause plenty of slowdowns and crashes.