Prospecitve FTB Configuration Guide - How Useful?

[RavynousHunter]

As I've alluded to quite a few times before, I've been trying to make a Forge Configurator program for Forge mods. Unfortunately, the level of complexity this thing would demand is, quite possibly, beyond me at my current level of C# expertise.

However, I had an alternative idea, should this occur, and figured I'd ask you guys how useful you think it'd be: a Feed The Beast Comprehensive Configuration Guide, covering as many mods as FTB has configs, and what various config options do, should I know them or at least have a decent, educated guess (the latter of which, I'd note, of course).

The format I'd use for it would be something which I think is at least somewhat universally useable, a PDF (created by MS Word 2007). I am, as always, very open to suggestions and ideas! After all, you're the prospective end users, its your experience that matters the most. OH! Also, the first chapter would most likely be GregTech, lol.

 

[hutchkc]

I marked as maybe, some people will find very useful, but I suspect a large amount of people just go with default. For those that wade through configs it could be invaluable since one central location instead of having to Google all over the place looking for a setting .... I'm looking at you Ichun.

Since it sounds like more a documentation first and maybe later a UI for changing configs I would recommend something a little different. I'd go with either HTML or a help file. With the HTML you could put it on the net and update as needed and anyone looking up info would have the latest/greatest. However since it sounds like your going to make an app in C# then a help file would be pretty easy for you to make as you go and ties in great. If you wanted to get the documentation out first then just psuedocode and create the help file using /// that way you kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

[simon48xbox]

It's a good idea, I don't think I'd use that much, but when I would, it would be quite nice to have.

 

[slay_mithos]

I have absolutely no use for it, but anyone not used to trifle with config files all around the place could definitely appreciate a guide on where to find what in the configs.

 

[RavynousHunter]

Well, then! I might write up a rough draft once I'm done with my English Comp assignment for the week...and written up my rough script for my ASL final expressive thinger.

I've got a lot of writing to do, don't I?

 

[Omicron]

Yep. I'd wager that GregTech alone will take you between 5 and 10 pages, depending on how religiously in-depth you plan to get. Good luck trying to decipher the more obscure config settings, by the way - even the official thread sometimes gave me misinformation or no answer at all on my repeated questions.

Don't underestimate the work required to maintain such a guide, though. Everytime a mod updates, there's the potential for config file changes, and they're often undocumented.

 

[RavynousHunter]

Hmm...this is true. Though, I think I'd be more likely to see folks who just update whenever their pack de jour updates, which would give me some more breathing room, as far as that's concerned. Besides, if all else fails, I'll create a private pack, and test config setting effects. Again, based off educated guesses...might not be able to get what a setting -does,- but I've found that, many times, you can at least guess what it affects...better than nothin.

Also, depending on how long this takes to write, and how long we've got til the next version of, say, the Ultimate Pack airs, there might be a delay in release/updating. Ya see, in a lil over a month, I plan to, at long last, move out from under my parents' roof to another state. In that time, I'll have a LOT of shit on my plate: online summer classes, job hunting (and, eventually, work), settling in to an environment that while it may not be wholly unfamiliar, is NOT one I've been in on a more...permanent basis, and making time for m'lady. I'll still work on it when I can, but if FTB updates around May/June, you may have to wait a spell. Just figured I'd give a heads-up, so people don't start goin all RedPower on me, saying I've disappeared or given up or been kidnapped by the mafia. If somethin happens, and I won't be able to update it for the foreseeable future, I'll let you guys know, and release it to the public domain, perhaps as a wiki.

Actually, thinking about it, a wiki MIGHT be the best format for this...easily accessible across multiple platforms, and more easily updated. I'll chew on that a bit...

[ETA 18 April 2013 14:43 CDT]
It has been decided! I have settled on using a wiki to house the FTB Comprehensive Configuration Guides! You can find it here, along with my first entry, a rough template of how other root mod pages will look, GregTech!

As it stands, I'm the only admin on the wiki. However, once the user base and wiki content fill out a bit, I'll hold votes and such for mod positions and the like. If you wish, you can start editing/adding as you please, as the wiki is open to the public. The only page that can't be edited (outside userspace) is the main page, which is protected so I, and I alone, can alter it.