How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

First of all, thanks to Geo for getting me started http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

(1) I use Windows Commander (can't recommend it enough!) but it works the same with Explorer. So...I went to MM folder. Created a new folder called SE 184.

(2) Copied the original folder (Space Empires IV) to it (the one called, "SE 184").

(3) At this point, I have 2 folders that are identical (mods, shipsets, etc.) except for the folder name.

(4) Then, I ran the 1.91 update (from my "F" drive since I have twin spindles) to do the update. It couldn't find the EXE file, so I had to tell it where it was...simple enough...I pointed it to the folder that had the original name..."Space Empires IV". The update ran perfectly http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif .

(5) Then, I renamed that folder to "SE 191".

(6) Now, I have 2 folders, one called "SE 184" and the other called "SE 191". The folder named "SE 191" had the updated EXE file in it.

(7) Now, the shortcuts. I have them on my Quick Launch bar, but the procedure is the same if they are just on your desktop. Copy the shortcut and paste it. (Now, both shortcuts go to the same old folder..."Space Empires IV). NOTE: Since Geo recommended it, I use the Launcher...so my shortcuts bring up the Launcher in each of the different Versions. From here, my info deals with the Launcher but should be similar to just starting the program EXE.

(8) Edit one of the shortcuts and change 2 things: Target and Start In. Change it to have a folder name of "SE 191" for both.

(9) Edit the other shortcut and change 2 things: Target and Start In. Change it to have a folder name of "SE 184" for both.

(10) Now, you have 2 shortcuts that lead to 2 different folders to start up 2 different Versions of the game. You can edit each of the shortcut names (in the general tab) to show the name as you want it to be on the screen. (I used "SE 184" and "SE 191). Duh! Now you know which one to click.

(11) Then, I deleted all the games from the Savegame folder in the "SE 191" folder that were still running under the 1.84 patch.

(12) Also, I deleted all the games from the Savegame folder in the "SE 184" folder that were running under the 1.91 patch.

(13) Now, Launcher will only show the games in each patch folder that it can run.

(14) As a final touch, since I use the Quick Launch bar (which doesn't show the name like a desktop shortcut does unless you pause over it), I made a new icon for the 1.84 patch (screen copy, paste into an editor, crop down to the icon pixels only, and pasted into a freeware icon editor called IconEdit32...adjusted the colors to make it a bit different on the bar, saved to the "SE 184" folder and then edited the shortcut for the "184" Version to have a new icon...browsed to it and made the change).

I don't claim this "mini-tutorial" to be perfect but perhaps close enough to help others that might be concerned about running 2 Versions of the best 4X game ever made.

Hope this helps some.

[ February 28, 2004, 03:09: Message edited by: Slynky ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

My Quick Launch bar look like this now:

http://se4-gaming.net\images\SE4-icons.jpg

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Reminds me of my Quick Launch bar! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

PvK

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

I only get a half hour for lunch so I could use a quick lunch bar. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

For some reason I'm in rather good humor tonight instead of my usual surly self. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Slynky, what is Windows Commander? Can you provide a link if it's share-/freeware?

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It's a shareware program but I paid for a license a few years ago (comes with lifetime updates). He's been around quite some time now. Not sure if it is a demo (with a termination date) or shareware that Lasts forever.

I can tell you I've been using it since it only came in a DOS Version. When Windows came along, I got it. It is SOOOOO solid, I can't remember it EVER crashing! Comes with packing and unpacking, useful things that Windows Explorer doesn't have. And, I think, quite a few different Languages.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

Total Commander

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

I will admit my own directory is labelled as "Watch out SE4 - PBW 1.91" along with a few other epithets, as I confused the two directories more than a few times. (And once I sent in the wrong turn. Silly me.) I will have a look at this problem, thanks Slynky!

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Well done Slynky. Thank you for sharing the hard earned knowledge. Helps us out tremendously. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hopefully. But, your quick 3 Messages helped out a bunch. I thought you shouldn't go through that again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, it does these days. In XP, Explorer has built in zip functionality. I always disable it, as WinRar is far superior, but at least it has the ability. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ February 29, 2004, 17:59: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

OT: Also it comes with native plugin support - a very useful feature, that Explorer doesn't have. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Yeah, but it displays folders and such in a very funky manner. :-\

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, it does these days. In XP, Explorer has built in zip functionality. I always disable it, as WinRar is far superior, but at least it has the ability. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well, WinRar vs "Zip"...wouldn't give 2 cents for the difference in compacting. However, the app handles Rar as well. And Windows Explorer has FOREVER failed to be as friendly as Windows Commander/Total Commander. I see no need to list all the things that are better since they are all listed on the website. But I will mention a few others: Built-in text editor (substitutable), FTP/FXP support, Custom menu ability, history, syncronize function, its own "quick launch" bar...etc.

Take a look before you dismiss it. Over 12 million hits on the site...he's not some piddling developer trying to get a start with shareware. It's been shareware for over 8 years and he's kept it that way.

And for a site like this, multi-national as it is, it's good info since the thing is loaded with different Languages.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

File size is all important in regards to compressed file formats...

I did not dismiss it, in fact I am looking at it now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

How do you make it display all of the drives in one folder tree window, rather than just a single drive?

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, bowing to what one is used to, it's not so funky. I mean, WE has 2 windows. To me, it's very practicable...copy/move contents from one window to the other. Moving, BTW, is handled much faster than in WE. In Total Commander, only the directory pointer is changed...blazing!

And much better control with a multitude of settings.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

It is not the two windows that is the issue. Check previous post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Also, compressed files are not folders and should never be displayed as such! :-\ At least it is easier to disable than XP's Explorer. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ February 29, 2004, 19:10: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, I've never investigated that...displaying all the drives in one window. But, you can set the display on one side to a tree and then click right above the window for any drive you want a tree on. Actually, better and faster than collapsing folders or scrolling in WE, I think.

The best advice I can give anyone who is used to WE is to try Total Commander for 1 month and use ONLY it. In other words, give it a chance. I use both at work. When I have to help people with problems, I use WE. But we bought a license for it for all the IT staff and all the servers we use in the 8 states we service. I always dread using WE when TC isn't available.

And as I said earlier...I've never seen it crash...yet I've seen WE dip out on me many times.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

It is extremely annoying to have to keep flipping between drives (or tabs even) when working with files on different drives at the same time.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">If you are talking about CD Tree command (small floating window with directory structure) - it is impossible.

If you mean Ctrl+F8 "display directory tree" command - it is impossible too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif , because when you hit Ctrl+F8 it will display directory structure for drive selected at nearby window.

As for "compressed files as folders" feature - it's the matter of taste. I'm always use it in this way, you're not. Alternatives are good.

Try 2xExplorer - it's small, free, and able to display unlimited number of panned windows.

[Edit: or it was Directory Opus? Don't remember exactly.]

[ February 29, 2004, 19:50: Message edited by: aiken ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

How can I move the Address Bar to the logical position above the folder/file displays, rather than below them?

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hey, it's logical from Explorer's point of view http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
Anyway, you can't. It's hardcoded. TC keeps DOS/NC tradition. From that point of view it is the only place for addres bar. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ February 29, 2004, 20:08: Message edited by: aiken ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Well that is rather lame. You'd think that with TC's pension for allowing customizability, it would give you a choice of where to stick the address bar. :-\

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

No right click context menus? Ok, that is enough of this program.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Windows Commander is just a cheap copy of the good old Norton Commnader.
I prefer using the Norton Commander for Win 95, but mostly because I was already uded to the good old DOS Version.

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

2 Fyron: Never tried to hold your rmb pressed for 1 second longer?

2 Andres: that is just a habbit. Btw, FAR is much more powerful than NC, if to speak about non-GUI file managers.

[ March 01, 2004, 01:51: Message edited by: aiken ]

Re: How I Set Up 1.84 and 1.91
 

Hold the mouse button? Who had the brilliant idea of forcing you to hold the button to get the context menu? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif It is called a right click menu for a reason. The only reason why you should have to hold the button is to highlight something or to drag and drop it to a different location.

[ March 01, 2004, 02:47: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]