Re: [Enigma-devel] Re: Newly ordered levels

[Ronald Lamprecht]

Hi,

Erich Schubert wrote:
> I don't think it makes sense to include just some level packs (except
> unfinished or maybe speciality packs). I'd really do one source tarball
> with the engine, and then tarballs for the level packs.
> And one (especially an installer for windows...) which includes the
> compiled engine and all the finished level packs.
>
> You could then offer an "update" package, which includes the new level
> packs (if any) and the new engine only.

The challenging task is to handle the differences in the installation 
mechanisms of the operating systems.

The simplest approach for a level pack update is the one that Andreas 
did choose: a tar/zip with the "complete" new level packs - the user 
requested to replace the existing "system"-level packs. The drawbacks 
are obvious as users may loose their thumbnails (png's) and Unix users 
may corrupt their rpm-installation database.

The approach of level update packages would still require the 
distribution of all level sources including thumbnails in case a single 
level being modified. Furthermore the update packages would be 
OS-dependent. If you request a single installer for windows you would 
still end up with the problems of the first approach in case of a level 
update package.

A solution for level updates may be provided by the Enigma filesystem 
structure:
all resource files are looked up at several places - first at the users 
HOME Enigma directory and only if not found there at the Enigma 
installation resource directory.

Installation of level updates like the one of Andreas at the users HOME 
Enigma directory neither disturbes the OS-installation-database nor does 
it delete thumbnails. All files not included in an update are still 
taken from Enigma's installation resource directory.

I did update the engine to support HOME-less Windows users with a user 
Enigma directory at "Application Data\Enigma". So the last approach will 
work for them with the next release, too.

For the future I started investigation on "automatic" level updates. 
Enigma should provide an option to update levels and levelpack-indices 
via http or ftp. The updates should be downloaded to the users HOME 
Enigma directory. The updates should occur on a file base instead of a 
package base - only modified files will be downloaded.

> Unfinished level packs are different, they are more likely to receive
> changes, after all...

An installation to the users HOME Enigma directory would be preferable.


best regards,

Ronald