STEX Disc Collection...anyone ordered before?

[Kentpumas1980 4]

Hi All,

 

Just ordered the full STEX 3 disc collection....party as this is a great site to donate to, and partly because I'm a lazybones who can't be bothered to search through the online STEX and download stuff bit by bit!

 

Has anyone ordered them before? If so do the items on the disc come with their dependencies, or links to where the dependencies are on the disc?

 

Also, is it quicker copying items off the discs than it is downloading (I've assumed so!)...

 

Thanks!

[Ltw 401]

Hi All,

 

Just ordered the full STEX 3 disc collection....party as this is a great site to donate to, and partly because I'm a lazybones who can't be bothered to search through the online STEX and download stuff bit by bit!

 

Has anyone ordered them before? If so do the items on the disc come with their dependencies, or links to where the dependencies are on the disc?

 

Also, is it quicker copying items off the discs than it is downloading (I've assumed so!)...

 

Thanks!

 

The disc is just like the website, but offline. If you need any dependencies they're probably listed in the description. This would connect you to the website. However, the disc comes with dependencies as well, but you will have to search for that on the disc (it's very user-friendly so that wouldn't be a problem ).

[Cougar2004 127]

Along these lines... has anyone figured out if the set (Discs 2 3 4) include Disc 1 at all?  What happened to 1?  I've always wondered about that..

[Kentpumas1980 4]

Awesome! Sounds good. Are the items listed on the disc by type at all (ie, factories, residential, woodland...something like that?)

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

I believe the files are separated in categories, similar to the STEX:

• 3ds Models
• Buildings (BAT)
• Lots
• Maps
• Props
• Textures
• Mods & Tools

There are also some popular prop / texture packs in a "dependencies" category.

 

Along these lines... has anyone figured out if the set (Discs 2 3 4) include Disc 1 at all? What happened to 1? I've always wondered about that..

As for the 1st disk, this contained files that were released prior to 2005. At this time, use of the BAT had not really developed, so the majority of files contained on this disc were probably re-lots of existing Maxis content. But of course, all this content should still be available on the exchange, if you wish to use it.

 

The disks are a nice way to support the site. But just remember, lots of new content has been released since 2010 (disk 4). It's worth considering this when choosing what to install from them. Some mods will have been updated with newer versions, such as with the NAM.

[Kentpumas1980 4]

I'm thinking of having a massive clear out as I've been stuffing things into my Plugin folder in no order whatsoever!...basic mistake, I know!

 

I'm just hoping all the stuff has names that are easy to recognise is so I can start tidying into folders in time for the discs to arrive. I presume moving things about in the Plugin folder doesn't affect its use in the game? Or if I move stuff will it mess up my in game cities?

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

No, that's absolutely fine.

 

For the game, it doesn't matter how files are structured in your plugins folder. As long as they are "in there somewhere", rest assured they'll be loaded without any issues.

 

The files on the disks are basically a snapshot as they appeared on the exchange, at that point in time. So unless an upload has been updated since, it'll be in exactly the same format (in a compressed ZIP file).

 

One thing I can recommend is to use a file manager, such as 7-Zip. The files will still need to be copied from the discs, but it just allows multiple ZIP files to be extracted at once. When doing this, it's always best to unpack them into a separate "SC4 Downloads" folder, which makes it easier to organise them into a suitable structure. Just remember, any readme documentation / images shouldn't really be stored in your plugins folder, as this can increase loading times. Personally, I'd recommend keeping these files stored in a "Documentation" folder.

[Kentpumas1980 4]

Great advice Cyclone, I wasn't aware of the "Read Me" stuff and slow load times, so thanks for that.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I've had the whole works for some time now.  Disc 1 is a CD, and not as well set up as the DVDs.  I don't use it at all any more, and I think it has just become obsolete.

[Ltw 401]

I always check the dvd first to see whether there is something I need in there, if this isn't the case I look at the STEX. I download my plugins to my plugin folder, which is very structured (in subfolders and folders in these subfolders). I also have an exact copy of my plugin folder. I have this copy in case my game crashes (quite obvious ) and also because I use DATpacker, this is downloadable from the STEX and packs the sc4lot files etc. into a few big .dat files, this decreases the loading-time and increases the playability of the game a lot. However, since you have a few dat-files you can't just delete a plugin you don't want anymore. This is an important reason to have an exact copy. This way I can dat-pack everything again when I have made some changes in my plugin-folder.

 

[Kentpumas1980 4]

DATpacker sounds interesting....anything that helps the game run a bit quicker and smoother is a bonus. Had a search on the STEX but couldn't see it. Could you post a link at all?

 

Thanks!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

SC4DatPacker.  read the instructions carefully.  Especially don't pack the NAM.

[KonstantinII 1,106]

I don't buy disks since I build cities in a limited style and I know where to find buildings by myself.

[Cougar2004 127]

Along these lines... has anyone figured out if the set (Discs 2 3 4) include Disc 1 at all? What happened to 1? I've always wondered about that..

As for the 1st disk, this contained files that were released prior to 2005. At this time, use of the BAT had not really developed, so the majority of files contained on this disc were probably re-lots of existing Maxis content. But of course, all this content should still be available on the exchange, if you wish to use it.

 

The disks are a nice way to support the site. But just remember, lots of new content has been released since 2010 (disk 4). It's worth considering this when choosing what to install from them. Some mods will have been updated with newer versions, such as with the NAM.

 

I've had the whole works for some time now.  Disc 1 is a CD, and not as well set up as the DVDs.  I don't use it at all any more, and I think it has just become obsolete.

 

Okay, thanks guys. It sounds like there really is nothing missing from the set.  CD 1 was good for its time, but we have all grown far beyond that now.  Anything worth keeping, has likely been redone or updated since and therefore is found in a better version in one of the later collection DVDs it sounds.

 

I guess the site owner is still collecting new content until he has enough for a DVD #5 to add 2010-2014 creative works and updates to the STEX Collection. That will make it even more enticing, and bring a new flood of revenue to support to the site.  Many will likely purchase again just to get their own personal copy.  But 5.7Gig takes a while to accumulate. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Don't be shy about purchasing the disks.  Dirk needs to eat as well as keep the site going (he pays for it, somehow).

[Kentpumas1980 4]

Don't be shy about purchasing the disks.  Dirk needs to eat as well as keep the site going (he pays for it, somehow).

 

Second that! ...its why I ordered them...this is a fantastic site that has extended my Sim City play immeasurably! Full credit to Dirk for that!!