Automatic MOD Installation

Then and NowPresented by Josh Woody

(aka A_Jelly_Doughnut)

The Generations

• GNU patch

• EasyMOD (for phpBB 2.0)

• AutoMOD (for phpBB 3.0)

• In-built Ascraeus MOD Installer

GNU diff/patch

• Older than a wild Yuriy (1970s)• Powers the Automatic Updater• Well-supported in the *nix world• Not-so-well supported in the Win32

world

GNU diff/patch and phpBB

• Completely functional• Missing several items that MODs

use–Metadata–New file copies– “Do It Yourself” non-file change

instructions

• Not easy to process by hand

EasyMOD

• Grandaddy• Performed MOD file changes well• … and that was it.– Couldn’t handle custom styles,

translations

Let’s step through a sample

MOD InstallationWith EasyMOD 0.4.0 Beta

ABC … EasyMOD as one two three

Pink unicorns to fill space and make Raimon love me.

• No options to speak of• Most support

questions revolved around initial setup, especially permissions

The Jackson Five, believed to be performing “ABC”

The MODX Transition

• phpBB Text Template limited EasyMOD

• A verbose patch with some metadata• What about a MOD provided in

English and Danish?

MODX & AutoMOD

• MODX allowed the new AutoMOD features to exist.

• … just not always in an obvious or friendly fashion.

• … and not always equitably.

Let’s step through a sample

MOD InstallationThis time, with AutoMOD 1.0.0

Turns out, this Isn’t Intuitive

Cc-by-sa, Wikimedia Commons user Ludwig2

Ascraeus Installer

• Priorities:– Fix user interface– Address the inequities–Make code more flexible

Ascraeus Installer Screenies

• Some backend work has been done• There is no completed user interface

at this time.

Ascraeus Installer Plans

• Move farther to a wizard interface• Give the user all relevant prompts

before-hand

Ascraeus Installer Concept

Customization Database

Will phpBB interface with phpBB.com and the customization database?We’d like to, if the feature can be completed in time for Ascraeus

Yes, with a ^Z^. We’re in the USA now.

Contact

• slideshare.net/AJellyDonut• twitter.com/AJellyDonut• AJellyDonut.com• joind.in/talk/view/1943