New file feature: change logs

[Dark0ne]

it should at least allow to enter multi-line text per each change, otherwise it won't make much sense for any release changes that add a lot of stuff (just think of big mods like Better Cities or OBGEv2... how should these guys be able to pack their changes into ONE line of text?).

 

You can add multiple changes for each version, just use a new line.

 

I'll look at adding more text fields so you're not adding them one at a time. And moving the form to the top rather than the bottom.

[SydneyB]

It sounds very useful, Dark0ne! Thanks :)

[shademe]

Second the multi-line textbox request.

[Vorians]

<snip>

One thing that I know many users find annoying is having to try and find a description of a mod underneath all the other information mod authors feel is more important than actually describing what their mod does. Popular things to put at tops of pages are news, bug reports, requests for help, notifications that help won't be offered, requests for endorsements and the full file version history/change log. Personally I think you should describe what your mod does first, and then provide all the additional information afterwards.

 

There's actually a really important reason for this behaviour, which is that we modders quickly learn that the majority of people who post in the comments thread with problems could have found the info in the mod's Description page, but didn't bother to read it because it was somewhere lower down - too many gamers seem to have a really short attention span, and are willing to read the first few lines of the Description page, then decide that it would be quicker to annoy the modder by demanding that the answer be handed to them in the Comments thread. By placing information considered by the mod author to be important at the top, this at least increases the chances of it being read.

[Zaldir]

EDIT: Actually, there is one thing.

 

Not many looks in the sidebar, and most people don't even know there's anything of interest there.

So what about making the Change Log a tab in the top along with the description, files, etc. (And perhaps the same with Credits)

Edited June 18, 2011 by Zaldiir

[rededge]

Description of mod first = Good Idea!

[jaime74]

There's actually a really important reason for this behaviour, which is that we modders quickly learn that the majority of people who post in the comments thread with problems could have found the info in the mod's Description page, but didn't bother to read it because it was somewhere lower down - too many gamers seem to have a really short attention span, and are willing to read the first few lines of the Description page, then decide that it would be quicker to annoy the modder by demanding that the answer be handed to them in the Comments thread. By placing information considered by the mod author to be important at the top, this at least increases the chances of it being read.

I think there's much truth in what Vorians says!

In my opinion there are at least two different situations that need to be addressed if you are a modder (we could call them "use cases", speaking in terms of usability and software ergonomics):

1.) on the one hand, you want new visitors of your mod page to quickly grab the core information about "what's this mod about", before they get bored or too confused and thus turn away

2.) on the other hand, you also have to pay tribute to the users that have already downloaded and used your mod, and now they want to learn quickly about what has changed.

 

Case 2.) is especially relevant if you imagine players who have subscribed to an RSS feed that tells them during their breakfast that there has been "some update" to your mod. So they click on the link and open your mod page to see what it's about. There main interest is to know quickly, whether the "update" - whatever it is - is important to them. If they now spot a news item on top of the page, stating something like "a new version XY is out now", or "new mod conflict detected", or "important bugfix available", they will be very thankful!

 

I admit, of course, that experienced users will always have a higher tolerance towards having to scroll down or scan a page than "stroll-by" users use to have. So it's probably worth moving the focus of your page design more towards the newbies. Furthermore, there's also the "Action Log" that tell experienced users at least something about what has changed.

 

But still I believe that putting news and changes on top of the page is not a bad thing per se. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve.

[Arthmoor]

Cool feature, and I agree with the descriptions needing to be concise, and containing relevant information. I already use mine for their intended purpose.

 

Unfortunately recreating my changelogs with this new feature just isn't feasible. I apparently generate way too many bugs for my own good :P All that info is in my readmes anyway so it's there for those with the patience of Job to read.

[Zaldir]

When typing " or ', a backslash will be generated as well.

 

EDIT: Seems backslash doesn't work here...^^

Edited June 18, 2011 by Zaldiir

[AManLivingInGarbage]

How about adding some more tags for Fallout New Vegas?