[Gen.] On the hardware Situation + Codename 'ModTrack'
Hello everyone, just general news today.
NOTE: this post contains animated .gif videos, must be viewed in a web browser to properly play!
1. THE HARDWARE SITUATION
After two months of struggle, reality must be confronted. My computer has worsened to the point of un-usability. I've already wasted enough time and energy working on it when it was a third usable, but now it's not feasible. So:
My computer is going to computer hospital! I am dropping it off as soon as possible. I hope that the computer doctors will perform whatever operations are necessary to get it back into health.
I have wasted endless time and effort over the past two months working in those extremely buggy conditions.
Progress has been very slow. I am sorry to say that I don't have much advancement on my works in progress. Due to slowness, I have unlocked the latest 'law and disorder' WIP post, so everyone can see where it's been at while they wait patiently T_T
(On the other hand, I did release a lot of new stuff in the wake of the Lovestruck patch, so it's not like there were no successes through the force of sheer rageous persistence! There's been early access releases, new stuff, lots of bug fix updates...). But...
Week after week it's become near impossible to work on my bigger works in progress with how the computer has been.
Currently, while my computer is disassembled and while it will be at the shop, I don't have access to a machine that can really handle the game, heavy index operations, etc.
For the past week already, having given up on using it, I have worked on another machine, without the game installed. This will continue until my machine is fixed up.
So what the heck have I been doing? And what the frog will I be doing until I get it back? See next:
2. Stuff to make your update tracking life easier (?)
Two things came together to create a project: mod users not being satisfied with the process to see when my mods were last updated, and my exhaustion at mod users reporting mod problems that are entirely due to having old copies of my mods.
For weeks I have been thinking how to improve the situation on both sides. And I've wanted to do something, started it, left it aside, picked it up again, unsure.
Well, now that hardware circumstances have forced my hand off of my usual projects, I've embraced fully the idea that I was tiptoeing around prior.
I present to you: code name 'mod track'.
So, 'mod track' includes a page for my mods on which you can see when I last updated each of them, as well as their status and notes! That's nice enough, right?:
But we should not stop there, should we?
Why not also let YOU check if your copies are up to date or not automatically, in under five clicks?:
And isn't it even better if any modder who wants to can also have a page like that for their own mods, add all their mods to the system at once in just a few clicks...:
(above: modder's customizable profile & page. Below: modder's content management window)
... and also automatically be part of the mod folder scans for outdated mod copies?:
Now to top it off, what if you could browse & search all mods tracked easily too?
You got it by now, project codename 'mod track' is:
an online system
for modders (and select trusted community members) to list and report mod updates and status as easily as possible
and for mod users to access that information and check their mods folder against it as easily as possible
Key features:Users can run checks to see if any of their installed mods that is tracked in Mod Track is updated, broken or obsolete.
Modders can easily make and manage their page listing their mods, their status and last update date. This info can be bulk imported and bulk edited automatically, for ease of keeping things current.
Hand picked community members can also report on mod status and updates, and add mods to the lists (similarly to how the list of updates is managed at Scarlet's and MCCC / SAD). Modders can decide to allow or forbid editing by trusted community members, so nobody is forced into anything!
At big patch days, all mod status that were 'ok' switch to 'unknown'. Modders and trusted community members (if allowed) can batch set mod status, batch report mod updates, etc, for easy patch day information sharing.
The site / project doesn't have a real name yet so feel free to make suggestions for the name if you have a catchy idea : D
I am horrible at explaining so it's ok if you don't understand! The main takeaway is:
BIG improvements to how you can see when my mods were last updated, coming soon
other modders will be able to use the same system if they wish
Any thoughts welcome!!
_____________
**************
The last two months were frustrating work-wise. I will be happy to have a functional computer again and return to a more pleasant workflow. In the meantime, I am proud to still strive to bring new things to the Sims 4 modding community. This is all thanks to your support and I THANK YOU heartily.
Stay safe! and till next time, bye for now!
Comments (54)
Thank you so much for this tool, it is amazing. Scarlet's Realm has a pretty up to date mod tracking sheet that lists about 7k of mods, any possibility that you could colab and have a more robust list of mods?
Hi, I'm glad you like the tool! Re your question, that was discussed before I even started on Mod Hound, as my first idea was to offer her to make such a system based on her list, but she declined. We later discussed integration between mod Hound and the list, after I'd created my tool, but it's not a possibility in her end at the moment. Mod Hound has its own community system in trial currently, though nobody has participated yet, and modders are free to join to help out their userbase if they so wish :)
I just used this and found out I'm not as diligent as I thought I was on making sure I'm up to date on mods. I had quite a few that were soooo out of date so THANK YOU
You put so much into your mods and keeping things updated and organized. It's so appreciated. I hope your computer situation is sorted soon.
I love all your mods and I am sorry to hear about your computer. I was playing today and noticed M13 mod is not working. My sim had complications after giving birth and didn't pass away. It's all good! Hope you are doing well and you get a new computer soon! Thank you for all you do! Keep up the great work :-)
Hi, that would be from another mod if it's after giving birth. Currently m13 doesn't do that. Thanks for the kind words!
Omg, you're really doing incredible work for the sims' modding community! Thank you, and I hope the computer troubles won't cause you more stress !
I have no words. This sounds amazing. I could never do what you do. I wouldn't even know how to start. Thank you for all your hard work.
OMG, I am going through the same thing and I have a TB of memory this game is a monster. I don't even know what I need for the game to run smoothly anymore. If a TB isn't going it, what else is there?? I share your pain my friend.
Hi, Storage memory is not much relevant to performance in so far as you have enough storage to hold everything in your machine (just as, say, the amount of socks you can put in your sock drawer doesn't really dictate the amount of energy you have to run with said socks). What will matter is processor, RAM, and graphics card and what kind of built in processing power it has
I like the name Project Code Name. It's apt for what you are doing right now to make it easier for all of us to track our mods.
True haha, that could have worked! I have come up with a name in the end however ;) The Ts4 Mod Hound. Can't resist a dog as a mascott!
you will always be famous!
This is such a gamechanger. Incredible!!!
Lumpinou...this is marvelous XD
Wait so can we download the mod yet or no
What mod?
This amazing and really really useful. Thank you!!!!
This is amazing! Don't forget to take some time for yourself too!
Babes. If you end up needing a new computer please just let us know how much you need from us! You deserve it!! Excited to see how the site turns out :D
FULLY prepared to support this as well
You have outdone yourself again!!! *hug* Thank you so much for dedicating your heart and soul to this community. You come up with ideas I didn't realize I needed until I saw your post and suddenly Idk how I lived without it. Wishing your computer a safe and speedy recovery :) Thank you for sharing your immense talent with us. xoxo
Thank you for all your hard work. The mod tracker is well, AMAZING! I love that you're adding in other mod creators as well.
Lumpinou!!! Why are you always releasing awesome things?! This is genius! Thanks for all of your awesome work!
sounds wonderful. :)
fab ul ous...
sometimes things happen in life that lets us take a PAUSE we need
This is going to be a game changer! Thanks for working so hard, even when your tech works against you
Amazing! just what we need. Thank you x
What about "How's That Mod?" for a name idea?
Take your time I hope your computer gets better soon🧡
You are a wonderful human being! Thank you so much for thinking about all of the community...can't imagine what we'd do without you ;)
Wow! I feel you on the rage working thing. But seriously, thanks for being amazing. As for a name idea: Pest Control. Yeah, it's terrible and kinda petty but i imagine having to relentlessly update and tweak your mods because of bugs can be vexing...like an infestation.
Thank you ❤️
Hello, sorry about your pc, hope it gets better soon. Just one question, if I pass by here, do I still see your updates? I'm dyslexic (complicated), these lists are complicated for me, I have easy to come here and check if one mod or another to is up to date. That's why I subscribed here. I'll be sure to check out your articles. And in these lists, they sometimes go too fast to say that it's broken, it lacks nuance. Wonderful day♥Thank you for everything you do, it's wonderful.;)
Hi, I will probably keep my 'general update post' in addition. As for the list on the 'mod track' system, it's entirely under my control, I'm the one making changes to it, so my 'public page' on there is always going to be exactly what I want it to be and accurate to my judgment of the status of my stuff. My mods never stay broken at patches very long anyways 😂 Thanks!
That is a great idea and could help additionally with Scarlet's Realms mod list
As a mac user, would this be available for mac?
Yes it's fine on windows and Mac
I'm so sorry about your computer, but this is amazing. Thank you!
We love you 💚💚💚💚💚💚
Oh. My. God...you are the bomb!!!
Hi Lumpinou, as I wrote before, love your mods & love this project EVEN MORE. I have a name suggestion - how about Phoenix? Symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and rising from the ashes—aligns well with the idea of keeping mods up-to-date & revitalizing them through each update, and is fitting for the next expansion pack (though this is unintended). It also hints at a sense of community collaboration & fresh starts with every game patch. Maybe add opt-in user notifications (when mods players track have been updated, broken, or become obsolete)? Please take good care of yourself as well (not just the computer as one will not work without the other)!!
This project sounds incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for everything you do! 💗
ur on the mount rushmore of modders btw. generational talent; phenomenal, some would say 💯
Hope your computer makes a full recovery! I love the idea of being able to scan my mods and see if they’re up to date. It’ll take a lot less time out of my evenings checking for updates!!!
Will this work for your ENTIRE mod folder or will it be limited to mods by modders who "sign up" to participate? I mean I'm not going to complain about either 😊, just curious! Honestly, this sounds great! I always wait a week or so before I update after a big patch anyway; if I'm reading this right with a simple scan this should tell me the status of mods in my mods folder and if an update is available before I start the post patch "mod fundango" 🥳. Good luck at the PC Doctor!!!
Hi! It works for: - whatever mods that registered modders added - whatever mods of unregistered modders that Trusted Community Members added In both cases, either or both of these parties of course need to keep 'reporting' when things change, but the focus of the system is on making that as fast and easy as possible I can't swear how many people will want to join, all I can promise is that my stuff will be on it 😂
You’re genius, you’re an icon! ✨👏🏾 This is such an amazing idea and will help a lot of people out (as well as yourself hopefully, you have much more patience than I do with the amount of comments you get for simple fixes 😂) PS. Hope your computer is a quick fix 🤞🏾🤎
This is amazing, but maybe also take time to rest your hands too? You know. Make sure you take care of yourself and give yourself proper breaks. 💖💕I love everything you make. Always have, just please also take breaks as needed too.🫶🏾🫶🏾
Thank you! I am very bad at resting, on the contrary I lose sleep from my projects 😂 so I appreciate the understanding and the care 💐
Good luck on the computer front, and thank you again for everything you do for us all! I seriously hate playing my game without your amazing mods!
I don’t even know how to express how cool this is & how amazing you are for doing this. Thank you for your tireless work & innovation. The modding community is such a better place for having you in it.
How are you so amazing?