Suggestion: "Install" Mods Should Be Renamed To "Stage" Mods

[Cheyron]

I think it would help the user understand what the app is doing. Right now when we install a mod we really are staging the mod for deployment. It makes the user think they have already placed mods into the game folders. Maybe I am the only one who thinks this lol.

[HadToRegister]

INSTALL = Installs Mods to the Mod Staging Folder.

DEPLOY = Creates a hardlink from the INSTALLED Mod in the Mod Staging Folder to DEPLOY it to the Game\Data folder.

[Cheyron]

Yeah what im saying is to rename the first one to Stage... install suggests the game folder

[AugustaCalidia]

Yeah what im saying is to rename the first one to Stage... install suggests the game folder

 

Extracting a mod archive into a staging folder is quite properly called "installing." As an analogy, consider installing a light switch. When you install the switch, that does not mean the light comes on simply by virtue of installing the switch. You have to "deploy" the switch by turning it on. Likewise in Vortex installing the mod does not mean that you have turned it on. It means that the mod is available to be turned on.

 

Your claim that "install" suggests the game folder does not hold true for MO and MO2. Neither mod manager places anything in the game folder when installing a mod.

[Zanderat]

Actually, even if "install" is technically correct, calling it "staging" is clearer. I do feel, at times, terminology and UI should be simplified, as it is aimed at the masses not techies/mod experts. As an example, see this thread: https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/8632623-the-vortex-modder-does-not-work-at-all-whats-the-problem/

[AugustaCalidia]

Actually, even if "install" is technically correct, calling it "staging" is clearer. I do feel, at times, terminology and UI should be simplified, as it is aimed at the masses not techies/mod experts. As an example, see this thread: https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/8632623-the-vortex-modder-does-not-work-at-all-whats-the-problem/

 

If unpacking the archive to the Mod Staging Folder would more clearly be called "staging," then what process would more clearly be called "installing?" Would "deploy" become "install?" If so, would "purge" become "uninstall?"

[Zanderat]

Maybe. To me, most people start pressing buttons and only go to the documentation when they have issues. Anything that could be done to make Vortex's UI more intuitive is a good thing.

[HadToRegister]

Deploy, would be "Connecting the Hardlink from the INSTALLED MOD in the staging folder, to the Game Data folder."

1. Download - Mod Archive goes to the download folder

2. Install - Mod is Installed to the Staging folder, ready to be deployed
3. Deploy - Hardink/Symlink/Move is performed on the installed mod and the link is created between the Staging folder and the game folder.

NMM even says it's "Installing" the mod, when it's actually putting it in the Virtual Install folder before it's "deployed" using links, so there should be no confusion all of a sudden because of the terminology, all Mod Managers "INSTALL" the Mods which are then VIRTUALLY deployed to the Game Data folder.

[Zanderat]

I don't think the point is whether or not "install" and "deploy" are technically correct............. Why is everyone so defensive?

[Cheyron]

Actually, even if "install" is technically correct, calling it "staging" is clearer. I do feel, at times, terminology and UI should be simplified, as it is aimed at the masses not techies/mod experts. As an example, see this thread: https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/8632623-the-vortex-modder-does-not-work-at-all-whats-the-problem/

 

this is the point I am trying to make... if you tell a user of vortex the mod is being installed what do you think they are going to think it means? ;) I mean if you honestly think some random user of vortex understands how vortex works under the hood then you are kidding yourself... now if you tell people mods are staged and ready to deploy then they know exactly what the app is doing ;)