New? Last Month? Two years ago? Who knows?

[HankySpanky]

I wonder how many folks out there go through what I do when they get ready to install a downloaded file and wonder if it is going to undo any enhancements that have recently been added on. I am referring to add-on files like engine sound modifications, lighting, physics, or other things that claim to improve your gaming experience.
When was the file made? If is two years old and recently put on a website for download, one would think that it is a new file and the latest thing, right?
This could easily be cleared up if the creator of the file simply put the date in the enclosed README.

Your thoughts?

[buzz456]

I don't understand what you are asking? From RSC? From the Library here? From someone's blog? If something happened please share.

[HankySpanky]

Hey Buzz - No nothing is wrong. Its not necessarily an issue with RWA's site or any other site. But generally from popular sites that I come across and go on a "feeding frenzy".
Here is today's example - I downloaded "Railworks GE GEVO 12-Cylinder Engine Sound" from TrainSim among other goodies. I unpack it and start looking at it to see what it does and what files it might affect but the README has no date. Is this file going to make things worse by installing some old crap or is it some great improvement? There is no date written in the README as to when the author released it.

Yes, many sites put a date that THEY posted it on the description, but that doesn't necessarily mean that is the date the author made it. That info also doesn't follow the download. So when I mess something up and reinstall it and add on the add-ons I don't know what file is the latest and greatest. It would just be so simple if the author included the date of the release in the README.

[buzz456]

Got it. Good suggestion.

[Toripony]

I wonder how many folks out there go through what I do when they get ready to install a downloaded file and wonder ---snip---
This could easily be cleared up if the creator of the file simply put the date in the enclosed README.

I have... both wondered and been guilty as charged. I recently spent wayyy too much time going through all my stock to see what's been updated, what no longer works, etc. That's when I realized just what you point out here... people forget to date their Readme documentation... and I'm pretty sure I've done it, too. The date of the file itself is not always helpful... sometimes the upload is a re-upload with an old Readme file. I think it's just one of those "all too obvious" things that people should do but don't think of. In the future I'll put in a date and I hope everyone gets in the same habit now.

[artimrj]

I would be happy just to see some readmes that tell you what to do with the files. Open a sound package and look at some proxy files and dav files. Now what?

[Toripony]

Having worked in IT service a number of years, one of the main things I learned is that most people have an aversion to that thing with many lettered buttons on it... the keyboard. Only since the advent of touch-screens has the digital revolution really taken off (something I predicted many years ago).

[Chacal]

Add toddlers with greasy fingers to the list of threats to your computer.

[PamBrooker]

Add toddlers with greasy fingers to the list of threats to your computer.

And Bulimic cats that throw up on your keyboard or puppies that like to play with your mouse.. Very dangerous stuff there..