discussion SC4 STEX New Categories Proposal

[catty-cb 4,392]

4 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

The other option is name it to Civic only, and then create a new category to cover the other urban items.

That's my preference as there are a number of fire, police, etc lots that have been deliberately designed to fit into a rural landscape

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

I'm just thinking that the word "urban" might imply commercial to some.

Now would be the wrong time to conjure up new categories. Better to "brute force" the old STEX out of existence first, then the new STEX can be Rain Man-ned at your leisure, with much smaller categories to hunt in.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Thanks both of you for the input.

We see the issue with how Urban might be seen as unclear, and also not including rural themed items (which might still be civic). So we'll drop Urban from the name, and go with an adjustment based on a suitable alternative. The objective is to have a place for items which aren't only civic specifically, but also not RCI either.

This gives (at least) two options of how to resolve the dilemma:

1. Some form of name adjustment to be made to the current category, which specifies the exclusion of RCI items.
   • E.g. Civic & Non-RCI   OR   Civic & Landmarks   OR   Civic & Rewards
      
2. Otherwise if only named Civic then we really need an extra category for other types of items (non civic and not RCI).
   • E.g. Landmarks & Misc   OR   Landmarks & Non-RCI   OR   Non-RCI

 

@SIM-ple Jack and @catty-cb (and anyone else):

Let us know which of these two options would be preferable. Or any other ideas are welcomed for a possible solution.

  Edited July 15, 2022 by Cyclone Boom  
Edited in Jack's suggestion.

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

Why not call it what it is- Civic and Rewards. There are too many rci buildings that come with Landmark versions. Having Landmark in the name will add even more confusion.

[catty-cb 4,392]

On 16/07/2022 at 6:58 AM, SIM-ple Jack said:

Why not call it what it is- Civic and Rewards. There are too many rci buildings that come with Landmark versions. Having Landmark in the name will add even more confusion.

Yes agree with @SIM-ple Jack thru I can see what @Cyclone Boom  is saying re needing another category and Non-RCI might work as a category for anything that doesn't fit in any of the other categories

[Pakistani890 122]

Please also add an office category if possible...

[catty-cb 4,392]

8 hours ago, Pakistani890 said:

Please also add an office category if possible...

I think offices are covered under commercial

[Wiimeiser 444]

On 16/07/2022 at 1:03 AM, SIM-ple Jack said:

I'm just thinking that the word "urban" might imply commercial to some.

Which makes sense, if most of those buildings are shops and offices with the odd apartment/condo tower. _{^{As opposed to the Cyberpunk genre implying downtown...}}

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

One thing I've come to deduce from this project, is what precious commodities WZ, Simmer2, Barroco Hispano, MrBison etc. are/were. The disparity between Commercial and Industry is mind-boggling.

[Wiimeiser 444]

Commercial buildings generally tend to look nicer than industrial buildings, or so I've noticed.

Anyway, the new categories are definitely an improvement. Searching lots by type is much better than having to scour through all lot types.

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

17 hours ago, Wiimeiser said:

Commercial buildings generally tend to look nicer than industrial buildings, or so I've noticed.

Beauty is in the eye of....! Personally I like the look of a building being built or a massive industrial building. Being in construction, it's nice to look at all the work and parts that go into a building, pipes, studs, insulation etc. Kind of like a doctor looking at an Xray. You get the real story before it's covered up with stucco. Then, it's just another box. I never get to go in them after they're built. Unless i have to fix something.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

Before I cast my vote, I'd like to ask one thing first.

Recently, I decided to hunt for some new BATs that could enhance my cities and regions. I wanted to start with the newest ones and then gradually work my way down to older files.

However, there seems to be some kind of a problem with the chronological filter. When I set I'd like to see the newest BATs first, in the results I did not get any of the BATs that have actually been recently uploaded by our colleagues... For example Zporp-Max-Hamburger or Raika - Grand Railway Station are nowhere to be found...

With this in mind, I'd like to ask how I could arrange all growable and ploppable buildings chronologically and get the results that actually match the upload dates?

Thanks for the help.  I'll toss my vote once I get the answer.

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

2 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

Before I cast my vote, I'd like to ask one thing first.

Recently, I decided to hunt for some new BATs that could enhance my cities and regions. I wanted to start with the newest ones and then gradually work my way down to older files.

However, there seems to be some kind of a problem with the chronological filter. When I set I'd like to see the newest BATs first, in the results I did not get any of the BATs that have actually been recently uploaded by our colleagues... For example Zporp-Max-Hamburger or Raika - Grand Railway Station are nowhere to be found...

With this in mind, I'd like to ask how I could arrange all growable and ploppable buildings chronologically and get the results that actually match the upload dates?

Thanks for the help.  I'll toss my vote once I get the answer.

Some of the newer stuff just hasn't been moved to the new categories yet.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Just to add...

Over the next whenever, something I'll get back to looking into is an index feed which contains a list of all files in each of the new categories. This will show the latest X number of files in each, and then linking to the individual categories. I'm unsure whether dynamic filters will be possible for this, but can look into it. The aim will be to have a directory which can be browsed and make it much more accessible to see what's new on the STEX in general for the SC4 files.

I think soon enough the poll can be closed.

It seems some people are now voting "No" in thinking the proposal is changing from the current new categories, not how they were previously. Based on the overwhelming majority (92%) we're going with the new categories, and so it's all about refinement to apply polish and any small tweaks in the best way possible.

By the way, I've gone with Civic & Non-RCI (renamed from Civic & Urban) to hopefully settle that predicament the other week. This can be the catch-all for any files which are landmarks or rewards, and not only having a Civic purpose.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

@Cyclone Boom - Thanks for the extra info, but it didn't really help... 

I am still at a loss trying to grasp how can I arrange all BATs (regardless whether civic, residential or industrial) into a chronological list. I think this used to be possible before any changes started to go into effect...

The closest I can do to get this done is by creating my own stream through the "Activity" tab. However, it still doesn't work as intended because:

1. Some buildings which are featured on the main page are left out nonetheless.
2. Apart from buildings, I actually get comments to buildings in that custom feed as well... 

Any advice regarding these two points?

EDIT:

In other words - when I browse for buildings, then I couldn't care less about reviews and comments attached or being posted to these files.

This is why I believe that the old format where content was simply presented as filenames and not some category-dependent "feed" was better as one was able to instantaneously find what they were looking for. Now, I need to actually parse a long and unwieldy list to even get my attention hooked at something noteworthy.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

@TheMurderousCricket

Yes, the new index (or even indexes) I plan to develop can also include catch-all feeds. This could be for a few variations like all RCI lots, or even replicating "SC4 Buildings" as displaying a total number of lots entirely. Now the only dilemma is how many can reasonably display on a given page. The index feeds by default don't add multiple clickable pages like on actual STEX categories themselves, and so that part might need some experimentation in the template code.

What I'm totally certain about at this point is the ability to include multiple categories in a list. Just it might (at least initially) need to be for "Latest X" files in total.

The current feed is very limited for usefulness, and only temporary until I develop and implement hopefully something much better.

[Jack_wilds 550]

my notion...

overall it will help narrow the search and time consuming chore of searching for specific plug in... looks promising

and then, add a category of "new Plugins", "recent uploaded plug-ins", "recent & updated plugins",

and everything that is new, is new and listed as new for up to 3 months and then, automatically move the plug ins to their assigned category...

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

Old STEXy is dead! The old gal had a good 20 year run. RIP

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

1 hour ago, SIM-ple Jack said:

Old STEXy is dead! The old gal had a good 20 year run. RIP

...and the new STEX is born again!

It's not quite completed, and still polishing to do as mentioned, but a big thanks to everyone who's been helping move files.

I've added server-side redirects from the old ones to the new ones in a logical way.

Next begins the process of checking the categories, and there's several dozen in the Holding Bay which need sorting into another. Which speaking of which, we'd decided to add a couple new ones being Building Sets and then Waterfront as well. This came about from finding gaps of where such themed items should go.

By the way...

Something I'll do is some database trickery to switch over the followers from the old categories to the news ones. I'll make best guesses for which fits, and duplicate some. For instance, all those who followed the original SC4 Buildings category, can be assigned to all the new individual RCI ones. Anyone can unfollow if they wish to, but I figure most people wish to be notified (or beeped as Cori says) for categories they're interested in. Anyone else who doesn't get added is still free to follow the new ones as normal.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

12 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

For instance, all those who followed the original SC4 Buildings category, can be assigned to all the new individual RCI ones.

But again, the problem is that when I browse for buildings, I don't want to be confined to some unweildy categories.

I want to just see the list. Because, who knows, perhaps I can find something commercial, something fire department and something parkland during one "browse" - items that go beyond RCI!

I don't want to be forced to look for specific groups of items on specific days, because I'll have to plan my searches from now on...

So sorry but I won't be opening my champagne just yet...

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

6 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

But again, the problem is that when I browse for buildings, I don't want to be confined to some unweildy categories.

As mentioned previously, I understand your point and this is something I plan to address in the best way possible, within constraints of the board software. The idea of the categories is to provide filtering options to find related items grouped within each container, instead of a mishmash list of everything as Buildings, Lots, and Props were.

Absolutely I still see the usefulness in a combined feed which displays all categories, and so this in some form is what I wish to implement.

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

If chaos is what you crave, Devotion, Touts, Kurier etc. will satisfy. And if you really wanna get your WTF on, the Asian sites fill the bill. High school foreign language classes wont help you there. Hide and Seek indeed!

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

I just don't really understand what kind of software limitations you have in mind.

If one is able to create R, C and I categories in the new STEX, then I guess there should also be a possibility to create a clickable "All" category to get this accomplished. On the other hand, there is a problem of the following sort - does the software allow to create "clones" of all of the files to let them coexist under one category? Basically, I can see two possibilities;

1. Create clones for the entire content and assign it under the "All" category.

2. Create raw placeholders or linkys under the "All" category so that they simply send users to the actual files.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

1 hour ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

If one is able to create R, C and I categories in the new STEX, then I guess there should also be a possibility to create a clickable "All" category to get this accomplished.

I do wish it was that straightforward to achieve.

The software limitations relate to the inability to create a category which includes files in other categories. Any given file can only be in one category at once. Files are unable to be mirrored, and while it'd be technically possible to make duplicate clones of all content, the big drawback is for keeping them updated.

Links are a possibility which could be viable. The trouble is that wouldn't be an automated system and would need constantly updating for newly added or any removed files. That isn't something I'm personally motivated to keep up to date and maintain.

I'll look into whether there's any other options to achieve it, but I am certain it's possible to create a list of files in multiple categories. However, the drawback is by default, file feeds don't provide sorting options as regular categories do. At least not unless I figure something out, and I'm not giving up without exploring site template code tweaks in depth. I see why there's a drawback to having the new categories, as much as there are hopefully plus points in favour of them for accessibility.

This is the current test I've come up with:

https://community.simtropolis.com/feeds/STEX-files/

I edited the template to make the files display as a list, whereas the default is to create a horizontal slider like on the STEX homepage. It still needs a lot more work yet, and so it's only a concept for displaying the latest 100 files from the new categories, sorted with newest at the top.

My initial ideas for this page are:

1. Explore how many files can be listed in this form. Possible to add pages?
2. Add the upload date and possible last updated date to each item.
3. Bigger text for titles and author info, and increase size of displayed thumbnail images. Perhaps make them clickable to enlarge the pics.
4. Multiple pages possible for different filters (e.g. all RCI files only).
5. Clickable link to the category each file is in.
6. Investigate whether dynamic sorting of a file feed is possible. Unlikely, but I want to look into it.
7. More efficient use of the page space. (Possibly centre in the middle.)
8. Any other tweaks to improve the accessibility.

I hope this might seem reasonable for a way forward.

 

@TheMurderousCricket

Edit: I forgot to toggle on full permissions for the files feed. It was displaying an empty page, but should show up now.

  Edited August 11, 2022 by Cyclone Boom  

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

2 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

I do wish it was that straightforward to achieve.

The software limitations relate to the inability to create a category which includes files in other categories.

Yeaaah, I suspected so... I just thought that there perhaps might be a way to automate the cloning process of the files posted to the site and so, suggested this "solution". 

2 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

1. Explore how many files can be listed in this form. Possible to add pages?
2. Add the upload date and possible last updated date to each item.
3. Bigger text for titles and author info, and increase size of displayed thumbnail images. Perhaps make them clickable to enlarge the pics.
4. Multiple pages possible for different filters (e.g. all RCI files only).
5. Clickable link to the category each file is in.
6. Investigate whether dynamic sorting of a file feed is possible. Unlikely, but I want to look into it.
7. More efficient use of the page space. (Possibly centre in the middle.)

1. Of course it's not about seeing the endless library of files. Adding pages would work great as it did until recent changes.

2. That would probably be useful just as a diagnostic tool for you. If the system is able to correctly arrange the content in a chronological way, it should be fine and no front-end dates shall be necessary.

3. Good idea, especially with the pic enlargement bit in which case it is up to the user whether to load a "poster" or not. This would reduce the bandwidth taken which is precious in any low-coverage environment (like the one I'm currently in ).

4. Sounds good!

5. Can it be automated? If not just drop it - it's going to be too much of a work if assigned manually.

6. Indeed, sounds "exotic"...

7. Fingers crossed.

The idea to sort the entire STEX must be really time consuming and hell of a work... It's just that, according to me, old solutions should not be dropped entirely in favor of the new ones but rather implemented under new conditions.

[mcarch 15]

So, I like the new categories, but I hate that I cannot find new uploaded Files (only).  I keep getting new uploaded file WITH new comments which include older (much older) files (from years and years ago).  We need a category to just be able to click on Newly Uploaded Files (ALL) - Not including comments.

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

5 minutes ago, mcarch said:

So, I like the new categories, but I hate that I cannot find new uploaded Files (only).  I keep getting new uploaded file WITH new comments which include older (much older) files (from years and years ago).  We need a category to just be able to click on Newly Uploaded Files (ALL) - Not including comments.

My tab addy- https://community.simtropolis.com/

Everything new is right there on the top carousel.

[mcarch 15]

2 minutes ago, SIM-ple Jack said:

My tab addy- https://community.simtropolis.com/

Everything new is right there on the top carousel.

I use that currently, but generally would like to see a full list like we used to.  I once accidently deleted downloaded buildings that I had downloaded over a years' time and hadn' to installed (while switching computers).

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

@mcarch

Yeah, good point about a list of all new STEX files. They are on the STEX main page too in a feed block, but it's inconvenient to scroll through them. As I hinted in previous replies, the activity feed page is only temporary, and the plain is a new series of feeds which aim to improve the current accessibility shortfalls.

It'll just take me some time to implement, but it's very much on my agenda.

[mcarch 15]

3 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

@mcarch

Yeah, good point about a list of all new STEX files. They are on the STEX main page too in a feed block, but it's inconvenient to scroll through them. As I hinted in previous replies, the activity feed page is only temporary, and the plain is a new series of feeds which aim to improve the current accessibility shortfalls.

It'll just take me some time to implement, but it's very much on my agenda.

@Cyclone Boom

Ok, so what we see today is just temporary?  That is good to know!  I was just throwing in my 2-cents in as I find what we currently have a little difficult to use for searching new files.  I didn't know it was temporary.  Thank you, Cyclone Boom, for clarifying that