19.10.2005, 11:58:39
Mods don't need to ship a patched EXE, they only need to tell the users to "Download Rock Patch from rtb.strategy-x.com" ...
Rock Patch installer carries only the difference between the patched and original file versions. That is not much since most of the exe was not changed. Now that PD has compressed the EXE (btw, what did you use? ASPack? pk? UPX?), I can bet >99% of the contents are different. Thus enlarging the installer.
I think PD should send Marshall both versions, and if the installer growth in the compacted version is visible (which it will most likely be) Marshall should not use the patched version. People who want smaller EXEs can use ASPack or whatever else PD used.
Although, EXE compressors such as ASPack don't come without a price - such an EXE takes longer to start, cause the compressor has to unpack all its contents.
Also, compressed EXEs tend to cause Access Violations if you (or an installer) compress them again. That shouldn't be the case here, since Marshall's installer only carries the difference and not the compressed file itself, but who knows. I got that with my programs, so I don't use an installer for now.
Rock Patch installer carries only the difference between the patched and original file versions. That is not much since most of the exe was not changed. Now that PD has compressed the EXE (btw, what did you use? ASPack? pk? UPX?), I can bet >99% of the contents are different. Thus enlarging the installer.
I think PD should send Marshall both versions, and if the installer growth in the compacted version is visible (which it will most likely be) Marshall should not use the patched version. People who want smaller EXEs can use ASPack or whatever else PD used.
Although, EXE compressors such as ASPack don't come without a price - such an EXE takes longer to start, cause the compressor has to unpack all its contents.
Also, compressed EXEs tend to cause Access Violations if you (or an installer) compress them again. That shouldn't be the case here, since Marshall's installer only carries the difference and not the compressed file itself, but who knows. I got that with my programs, so I don't use an installer for now.