MTS2 Changes 13th April 2006

[Delphy]

Hi All,

Thought I'd give everybody a heads up on the small changes and optimisations I've made to MTS2 today.

Firstly, as per Important news for uploaders (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=148450), Sims2Pack files are now not allowed on MTS2.

Secondly, you may have noticed the extra navbar with the latest news item on the right, and common links on the left. This serves multiple purposes: To highlight the news that everybody should be aware of, to bring non "core page" links out of the main navbar, and also allow more collapsability of the navbar on small screen resolutions.

Thirdly, for those of you with mesh "links" to other meshes and recolours, I've changed the backend system so it's more flexible and hopefully not so hard on the database. I also fixed a small bug with blank mesh links, and some recolours not showing up. Please report any problems to Site Issues (http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24).

Fourthly, I've revamped the News / About (http://www.modthesims2.com/about.php) page, to make it more blog-like, and much easier to keep abreast of the latest news items we post up.

Fifthly, I've changed the text on the download page to read "Post Time" and "Update Time" instead of "Last Posted" and "Last Updated".

Sixthly, the main download page (download.php (http://www.modthesims2.com/download.php)) now has a random "featured" slot - the one on the right. This will mean that older featured items get front download page visibility, and works much the same way as the main index page. However, if you don't like this and want to use all 4 slots for featured items, go to User Tools -> Edit Options, and tick the box in the download section at the top labelled "Do not use random featured slots". I have attached a screenshot of this option to this post.

http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/images5/MTS2_274780_Delphy_RandomFeatured.jpg

Lastly, as mentioned in the scheduled maintenance news item, all items not tagged for quality guidelines (ie those originally tagged) have been removed from the site.

Remember that if you have areas of the site or download sections you commonly browse to, you can use the Quick Links (found in User Tools) function to setup "bookmarks" within MTS2 that then appear on the navbar.

Edit: I have also recalculated all post counts, so if you appear to have lost posts, this is perfectly normal and is due to the pruning and maintenance process. Do not complain if you have dropped ranks.

We hope you like these changes, and feel free to comment if you have any questions.

Regards,
Delphy

[TheWannabe930]

Thanks Delphy...

This Explains alot! I logged on and Things were all over the place!

All is better now...

Thanks...

TheWannabe930...

[Inge Jones]

The site seems faster now. Dunno if it's because everyone hasn't had time to log back on yet or what, but it's nice anyway :)

[Delphy]

I doubt that'll last Inge... :D

[JohnBrehaut1]

alot better layout thanks delphy

[Ailias]

Hope that download speed will be faster now :)

[similicious20]

The "Don't Show Random Features" thing does not work for me. I click the button and save the changes, but when I go back it still has a random feature. Then when I go back to the options page, the button is not checked. So what in the world do I do?

[emino]

I'm loving the mini bar under the main links above :D.

My Profile | Chat | Support / Donate | MTS2 Store | Site Map

Easier to access those links now!

[magpep21]

What's a sims2 pack file?

[Delphy]

similicious, oops, I forgot to copy that file over. Should work now. :)

[TheWannabe930]

What's a sims2 pack file?

A sims2 pack file is one of the sims 2 download file that you would normally download from the sims2 exchange... As Delphy explains: "Sims2Pack files account for only 4.3% of the total amount we have on MTS2, yet use up a whopping 28% of the storage. That's a huge amount and as bandwidth and especially storage is not free I have decided to make this decision."

Hope this helps!

TheWannabe930...

[similicious20]

similicious, oops, I forgot to copy that file over. Should work now. :)

Okay, thanks. It's working now =]
And I'm loving the updates, too.

[Secun687]

thanks delphy....the downloading seems much faster to me also

[julianarosalia]

Thanks for your hardwork on improving the site Delphy. <raises glass in tribute> :Pint:

[dontfreakinimme]

This is great! Thanks so much :-)

[zookini]

Oh cool! I like the news bar on the top right :D

[simsbandit]

Im new to the site thanks for the changes. And thanks to you for this wonderful website its makes my gameplay so much more fun. Thank you very much. :wave:

[trickmastertrick]

WOW!!!

Wanna come work on my site ;)

I understand how much you prolly went through, and I truly Thank You and everone who has made this site. Thanks to EVERYONE, I wish I could do more :(

[kanashimi_ryu]

I understand the decision to shed Sims2pack files, but does that mean no more lots being offered? I've not seen another way to upload them.

[emino]

I understand the decision to shed Sims2pack files, but does that mean no more lots being offered? I've not seen another way to upload them.

Put it in a zip or rar.

[ephemera_transient_msr]

Thanks for the heads up. :D

[summersong86]

Which makes smaller file sizes, zip or rar? A lot of the times I have had sim package size with a difference from the zipped file size so small as to not make it worthwhile to zip the file. Does rar offer a better compression ratio?

[shotgun_mary]

I'm so happy there will be no more Sims2pack files. I hate downloading those whoppers.

Thanks!

[ladydrb58]

As always, the forum gets better, and better. Love the new layout. A task completed, and rather quickly. You Rock Del!!!!!!!!.

Thanks for having such a great forum.

[Lorry]

Thankyou Delphy for what must have taken alot of your time...........much appreciated. 5 stars for your hard work and for always trying to make this great site even better.

[Malaygirl93]

I don't get it.............

[whiterider]

Which makes smaller file sizes, zip or rar?
rars - if you select "Best" in the "Compression Method" box, it takes the same amount of time (give or take a second), and is much more efficient.

Delphy... "Sixthly"! Honestly! Thanks for the info - I'm sure you're right about the speed... Inge may have her own bandwidth, but we have to waste yours!

Malaygirl93, You read the post and you still don't get it? Try reading the last news item too.

[GeckoGorilla]

Which makes smaller file sizes, zip or rar? A lot of the times I have had sim package size with a difference from the zipped file size so small as to not make it worthwhile to zip the file. Does rar offer a better compression ratio?

Rar. Hope that helps.

[SimMoon]

Much better! Thanks Delphy! Love this site!

SimMoon

[ModernChemistry]

Okey Dokey! Thanks for working hard to make MTS2 the best site in the history of the world. Over and out. ^-^A

[Angelgoddess79]

I worship you, Delphy!!! :nod: :bow:

[gglibertine]

The new navbar rocks my world. And the site does seem much faster now... great work!

[Iceflame1977]

I have noted the Adult section has completely vanished. Can someone tell me what's up with that?

[G.O.C.]

The "Adult" section is still here. Hit "Downloads" and if you are the right age you will see it.

[G.O.C.]

I don't get it.............

What don't you get???

[Vampire7639]

Hopefully the changes will help to store more space on the site. Sims2Pack files are huge so I think it's the best decision to stop them from being uploaded to the site.

[LaureaWilwarin]

I'm loving the new look!! Thank you Delphy for all your hard work!!!:beer:

[niol]

If there's any thank button for this type of thread, I'll click on it instead of making my thank-spam here...

Tons of "thanks"... for all great features!

[Danki]

Thank you Delphi!
I likeit!:-)

[benneke1000]

i hope the best for mts ;)

[WildWombat]

Maybe you should help the techs over at Q-Express. I have no problem when I download a file in the Sims2pack format or a zip file format, but when I download a rar file and have Q-Express install it, there will be run time errors, or the file will show up on the second line instead of the first line and if this happens, Q-Express can't install it. Also after Q-Express makes me think it's been a successful install, nothing has been installed when I start the game. I'm going to purchase rar software and just delete Q-Express from my computer or just not download anymore from modthesims2, and go back to thesims2 website. I've read your tutorials, and even downloaded the unlock file to clear out my temp folder because Q-Express could not dowload anything else until that folder was cleared out. Just too many problems using Q-Express. Sorry to rant & rave but I had to let you know what I am experiencing. I've donated a wee bit of money to help modthesims2 and show my gratitude to all the designers and artists for their beautiful creations. The creations in this website are 10 times better than the sims2 site but I can't deal with the problems of downloading a rar file using
Q-Express.

[Delphy]

Post Q-Xpress problems in the Q-Xpress forum. Neither this thread or this Site News are for Q-Xpress support.

[sandrat]

The Adult Section doesn't show up at my computer! When I want to download an adult object from an other site with a link to this site, it says, that I don't have the permission to download something from the Adult Section site. I have already pressed the button at the profil page that I want see Adult objects, but nothing changed. The problem is still there!
I was born 1970, I'm adult enough, or? What can I do?

[julianarosalia]

The Adult Section doesn't show up at my computer! When I want to download an adult object from an other site with a link to this site, it says, that I don't have the permission to download something from the Adult Section site. I have already pressed the button at the profil page that I want see Adult objects, but nothing changed. The problem is still there!
I was born 1970, I'm adult enough, or? What can I do?

Please check the site news... http://modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=158720

[lalalalalalala]

Please check the site news... http://modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=158720

Alright.. well what if it comes up saying I don't have permission to view that either? I'm old enough, and I've checked the bubble, but I can't even click the link that everyone seems to have posted.

[Washuai]

I get some kind of message that says I don't have permissions to read that thread, when I click the link, too. I'm older than I care to admit, but my profile has my real birthdate and I still can't access. I'd like to have access to the adult content as well. Can someone PM me, proper instructions, link, what not? Sheesh, get busy & come back and can't find stuff.

I figured it out, thanks to wikipedia.

[MTS2Staff]

*gives you a cookie for trying and working out the solution on your own*
Really appreciate that... and im NOT being sarcastic for once :) :)

[top]

hgfhgrfhg

[top]

sorry bout that

[whiterider]

If you posted crap by accident (Although I can't work out how...), there's this handy little "Delete" button by your post... :)

[jhaelen]

This is getting seriously annoying. The thread concerning tha adult section cannot be viewed by me. Has it been removed? Why can't i read it? I'm certainatly old enough, unless you most unfairly changed the age of adulthood from 18 to 21... It keeps comming up saying that I must be attempting to edit or post in it, and it won't let me read anything... Fix this please, or give me a direct link to the Adult section.

[Delphy]

Why has it been removed? Well I guess you missed all of the 4 or so Site News items about it, including the one that said it wasn't even *on* MTS2 anymore.

If you go to any of the old adult items (assuming you are of age etc) then you will get a link telling you where the new ones are.

[mrfrost]

ok i see it was removed though i am no to sure on how i would go about looking for the old adult downloads. I am 26 and for some reason i cant find any of the old adult downloads nor the new ones. Prehaps if you are able could you send me the link so i can get there. I spent the last 2 hours looking today with no luck.

[deadhampster51]

i cant seem to find the post with the link to the adult section, i am of age. could someone pm me it? :D

[Nancimila]

i'm trying to figure it out too... how do you go to the old adult items if they dont give you permission. It obviously has nothing to do with age because i'm plenty old enough. Is there a link someone can put on this thread or point us to the link? It just seems to be a big secret... since several people have asked for it in this thread and nothing has been posted. If it's something we cant have in public view... maybe you can send us to a thread that is age restricted that still exists.

Thank you all for everything. (i lost every single one of my 4 gigs of downloads today and I'm trying to replace some body meshes)

[discordkitty]

sexysims2

[Nancimila]

Thanks so much.. sorry if it's an annoying question, I'm sure its been asked a thousand times before.

[thewho14]

sexysims2? what is that? do you write that in the downloads search or something? where do you apply it?

[pfish]

sexysims2? what is that? do you write that in the downloads search or something? where do you apply it?

That is the name of adult web site. You have to be 18 years old to enter into sexy sims 2 web site. :)

[MohicanTunes]

what?? hell.. I'm 18.. almost 19 and I cant view the adult section? This just can't be... Isn't it a little unfair? A few months ago I could enter it and now I don't.. :/
Besides... 16 years old aren't children anymore.. they know what happens. Why hidding? They won't know more that way? LOL... Maybe thats why there is so many ignorants.

[cokenasmile]

MohicanTunes, perhaps you didn't read the whole thread? If you are 18, there should be no problem with you entering the other, separate, site.