HerMonster

Name - HerMonster Gender (Male) Zodiac Sign (Cancer) This is a really great idea, and I'd like very much to participate...

Hello all and kind greetings... I'm back from a hiatus of a few years, ready to learn new skills and perhaps take my SimCity 4 gameplay up to a new level. My handle has changed. Ya see, I got married last fall, and engraved on the inside of my wedding ring it says "Her Monster"... So there you have it; and me...

Many thanks RSC204, that's exactly what I was looking for...

Does anyone know of a current source for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that was released many many years ago on a Japanese site? I've lost my old plug-in folders after a computer failure, and that's one of the utility-power options I liked... Many thanks to anyone who can help me out...

The new MSI desktop I just purchased came with Norton preinstalled... One of the first things I did after installing SimCity, was to transfer my collected SC4 downloads to the new hard-drive. As they were being written to the new hard-drive, Norton was flagging the downloaded files as dangerous (some categorized as extreme threats) almost as quickly as they were being written. Norton was throwing false positives at me faster than I could correct them... Obviously, Norton has now been removed. It's worse than useless! While I've previously used a anti-virus protection scheme similar to T-Wrecks, avoiding antivirus software and instead limiting my browser, I felt the need to add anti-virus this time. The new MSI is easily the most powerful (expensive) computer I've ever owned, and I was just more comfortable adding an extra layer of protection. I'm currently using Bitdefender. No false positives, no problems with installers so far...

Simply delete the SimCity 4 folder found in your Documents folder - that is where your custom content is found...

I recently installed Gizmo's Day/Night mod only to discover it was conflicting with custom terrain mod I've pieced together, changing my snowline, etc. Investigating the problem with ILive's reader, found a 'generic' terrain exemplar inside Gizmo's mod causing the conflict. Deciding to experiment, I deleted the terrain exemplar in Gizmo's mod that was causing my snowline to descend , saved the altered mod, and gave the change a brief test with a plugin folder holding nothing but my terrain mod texture bash (it uses textures from 3 different terrain mods) and my favorite tree controller (with it's dependencies, of course.) So, I ask other other users, looking for experienced hands who understand day night mods. Am I missing something? Was the terrain exemplar in Gizmo's mod actually unnecessary? Everything seems to be working right, nights look the appropriate/expected shade for the mod, and the transition between day and night looks the same as when I tested Gizmo's Day/Night mod with an empty plug-in folder. I'm curious if anyone else has gone down such a path? It would seem better to simply delete extraneous exemplars rather than mess around with loading order, as it would prevent unnecessary files that are only going to be overridden from needing to be loaded. Or, as I asked before, am I missing something?

Thank you very much for your response, it's greatly appreciated! The reason I'm digging into the files like the day/night mod is my desire to understand everything I'm putting into my plug-in folder. For the past 15 years I've played the game casually, adding mods and files in repeating patters of binge downloading mods and then disgust when things didn't work properly. It's amazing that I'm still interested. Now, I have finally developed a familiarity with the ILive's reader, and am using it to better understand what I'm adding into my game. This morning I compared Gizmo's day night mod with the SimFox day/night mod and Mashty's night mod. I probably should have done that before I posted my question. Neither of those mods contain a terrain exemplar when looked at in the ILives reader. Obviously then, they offer the day/night effect without the terrain side effects. My curiosity is peaked now. I'm going to try and track down what the additional exemplar was meant to effect. Taking your advice, my next step will be to compare the terrain exemplar from SimCity_1.dat with the exemplar in Gizmo's Day/Night mod and then with the same exemplar in the heavily altered terrain mod I'm developing. Thank you again for your insight!

Like Catty, I visited the site and looked around, going thru every post, trying to be helpful... I did not see a single download link on the site that led to real lost content. The ONLY reference I saw to external content was to the original EA file exchange, which was about as useless as tits on a boar anyway - full of pirated content and lots of complete junk... It appears that in your ardor to restore lost content you've sent us on a wild goose chase that was a waste of time... Thanks so much....

Glad I could help. Foreign language forums can be a pain in the behind if you don't speak the language. But, I've found that using a Chrome browser and google translate will go a long way towards making them more useful. I do know what you mean about things being difficult to find @ the H&S Inoki forum. I've spent countless hours through the years at pouring over the content there, but still needed help finding a specific day--night mod found only there... Grow on! Michael

Perhaps you already know this - But in case you don't, there is a repository for the majority of the works of APTX... http://hide-inoki.com/bbs/archives/sc4_0886.html&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 I'm not sure if the station you wish "restored" is among those listed...

Thank you very much~!

I seem to recall running across a Japanese Day/Night mod as an alternative to Gizmo's etc. My recall isn't so great, however, that I can now find the Mod's link. I'd really like to audition it as an alternative to the others... Does anyone direct me towards that Mod?

I don't know if this will help or not, but it's a guide to the "reward chain" for the BSC... https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=69 That could clarify the specific conditions that need to be met for all the different rewards you might encounter in lots made by the BSC...

Bauhaus - Lagartija Nick

I am being open about sharing of plugin folders because this thread invited the discussion. I do this fully aware that in openly admitting I'd played with a shared folder that I open myself up to both criticism and possible repercussions for my actions. I am not asking for amnesty for my actions, but I believe they are far more common than is known in the "regular community" of posters. I am willing to accept punishment, if that is needed to move forward the discussion. I've done civil disobedience in the real world, it seemed time to step forward here, as this is an important discussion. You see, I've been lurking round these parts for more than a decade, learning and absorbing. I love SC4, it's the only game I play even semi-consistently. I've had many false starts. Because of the on-again off again nature of my interest, it's been difficult to build and maintain the kind of plugin folder I envision wanting to keep. Some of that has been the classic binge downloading followed by frustration when I discover not enough attention was paid to dependencies. Some of it is the occasional bout of depression that leads to me tearing everything down and starting over. I'm just being honest here - I spent 25 years working in government, politics, and campaigns - I earned my depression! So when I discovered that a plugin folder was being shared by an individual I consider to be a Master of the game, someone who has mentored me without knowing it through their videos and mayor's diary, I approached them for the file. I can assure you it wasn't just shared without thought, I was asked my intent, skill level, etc. I was asked to follow up with the creator too - to give feedback on my experience. I also confess that I was socially inept in making my initial feedback in a public forum, rather than by private message. So there are a few things I wish to clarify for any that might have misunderstood my previous post... I meant no criticism of the modpack, nor of the tremendous efforts put into compiling it. I think it's an absolutely supreme accomplishment, and I think that it is a great service to new players - especially for it's intended target audience who do not speak English. I tried my best to convey that sentiment in my previous post, and if I failed that, or if I offended the folder's creator in any way, I do public ally apologize. I didn't mean for my account to be critical, just an honest appraisal of my experience. I believe I am simply one small step beyond the target audience of this shared folder. I have to stop doubting myself and just go ahead with a plugin folder I build that's just customized by me and for me. I think that privately sharing plugin folders with new players is a great unrecognized service to the community. I commend the effort. Please do not be discouraged by the fact it wasn't a perfect fit for me, where I'm at in the game the only thing that would really be perfect for me is something I've built and documented from the ground up. There's a new generation of gamers who aren't very likely to spend weeks compiling a plugin folder. SC4 comes with a steep learning curve. NAM's learning curve is just immense. Just learning the the NAM nomenclature requires real effort. I've spent hours exploring NAM puzzle pieces. We play an immensely complex, not to mention immensely satisfying game. I think mod packs are a good idea - but one fraught with potential difficulties. The same is true with shared plugin folders. I do not have answers, just experience to share in trying to help develop answers. I wanted to see what is out there. I did at my own risk. I'm willing to share my experience because what do I really have to loose? I lurked for a decade, and am not a greatly social creature. I'm just another individual who plays the game.

I'd have to agree with Tarkus on the value of this thread and keeping the plugin folder sharing and modpack distribution discussions together. I've found the topics are inextricable linked. With that in mind, I'd like to share my own recent experience. A few weeks ago, I went out of my way to hunt down available plug-in folders. I've been playing the game since it first came out, on and off through the years, but the art of building a proper plug--in folder without conflicts or brown boxes isn't always easy to learn for non-technical people. I've got that skill down (finally I think) - but I've often wondered if I'd be better off with a plug-and--play folder With that in mind, I requested a most excellent French mod-pack that I recently previewed. I also downloaded several available plugin folders via torrent and other sources. The folders that are available via torrent and other sources are an absolute mess. They are full of obvious conflicts. missing dependencies - and come with no documentation at all... I would not recommend that anyone use that sort of trash - it would take as long to sort the mess out as it would take to simply build a good folder myself. Trash is the operative word...just trash... The mod-pack I received from a French source is actually most excellent. It is very well organized, quite complete for a great style of play, and it's pretty well documented too. In terms of what a shared plug-in folder should look like, it's absolutely "spot-on". At least that's my personal opinion - obviously your mileage may vary. Yet, I have to also admit, I found myself unsatisfied. Despite the completeness, the organization, the fact that it's a very good representation of what a mod-pack might provide in terms of "plug--and-play" opportunity, it didn't work for me. I read the documentation and installed the folder with great anticipation. I sat down to play SC4 - for the first time ever knowing that the plugin folder I was going to use was developed by an established player who's style and skill I greatly admire. It seemed that everything was just perfect. Then my little quibbles started. Jeesh, that's not a terrain mod I really like. I'd foolishly assumed a French player would be using the popular French terrain mod I prefer. We all know what happens when we assume...That's on me, not the plug-in folder's author. Next, I've gotten used to a particular tree controller...It's the terrain mod redux - it's not the author's fault my preferences are different... The menu is also full of buildings more naturally native to a European city than my more North American style. OK, that makes sense. I hadn't thought of it in advance, but it's logic is like a headsmack to me. In my ardent desire to try out a plug-in folder by a city artist I admire, I hadn't taken these kinds of things into account. Then I realize how many of the landmark menu buildings - and there are lots of them - are just eye-candy. That's perfect for the landscape painter and city artist, but my personal style focuses on growable lots, when I do use plop lots I concentrate on finding functional lots. Once again, it's not the fault of the author of the plug-in folder that my playing style is different, it's actually a testament to the versatility of the game. In then end, the plugin folder I'd very ardently desired, was a work of art. But it wasn't the artist's palate I was comfortable with. I have realized that my own quibbles about another player's plugin folder are actually a huge testament to SC4's versatility. There is so very much custom content, there are so many options, that agreeing on even a common base set of modifications to the game could be difficult. I don't use the popular spaceport fix, for instance, because I use another extensive air transport mod that corrects the issues. Other "fixes" I consider necessary to correct may actually be another's cup of tea. My cities tend to be temperate and arid - that means palm trees bother me. I consider a palm replacement plugin to be an absolute essential. Other's may love tropical foliage and an abundance of palm trees. Even if it's not what I prefer, profligate palmage is perfect for them... If you'd like metaphor.... Let's say that the author of the plugin folder's artistic style is oil-color paint. I really admire the painter's art. Let's say I'm an aspiring chalk artist. Sharing tools, while an educational experience, isn't likely to be greatly productive. To switch to oil-painting, after learning to create in chalk, would require adapting to an entirely new style. It may be easier to just stay within my own medium... Discussion of mod-packs and shared plugin folders are all interconnected. As soon as one mod-pack is built, someone is going to want to build on it. Mod packs are stacked together and released by third parties without regard to compatibility. There are huge potential downfalls to separating this discussion at this point...

I'm still of the thinking that ratings should be an optional feature. Why not let content creators themselves decide if they wish to participate in a ratings system, or have their uploads only receive comments? Content creators who appreciate that sort of feedback can continue to participate in the star ratings system, but those who are likely offended by 1 or 2 star reviews can simply opt to avoid receiving a star rating on their work...

I am creating this topic to support any maps I create. I just posted my first creation to the STEX - I welcome your questions, comments, and (constructive) criticism...

Perhaps an option could be included, upon upload, that allowed the content creator to choose whether they wished to participate in the rating system? This doesn't address abuses. But, it does allow individuals who don't want feedback to avoid potential criticism.

The Mountain Airbase Add-on by Craig-Abcvs has Tabi Aircraft Models as a dependency - the old Direct zip download link that was provided to that dependency is now no good... Can anyone help with direction to this dependency?

The prop pox fix is a groundbreaking achievement! Kudos to both winners this month on receiving well deserved accolades for your contributions!

hahahahaha . . . that's a good question . . . . my wife likes the simolean mod and we both play together in a common region . . .