An other "ManagedOXPs" directory/folder and a test mode

[commander_STyx2909]

Something not so hard to achieve on the coding side I think.

OXPs authors and testers (learners too, I hope I will fit the 3 somedays) would require a dedicated directory for their OXPs while keeping current one for their "career" mode. I mean, running a normal profile in the game while moving OXPs back and forth to ensure compatibility is a bit of a hassle on files management.

A "test mode" (or whatever name) in the game menu, loading OXPs but from ManagedOXPs (TestOXps?, anyone for a name?) would be appreciated. We don't care it is managed by the OXP Manager. The goal is to run two different version of the game simply.

While I am thinking about it, Secondary OXPs would fit anyone, probably.

[Reval]

Wouldn't that be complicating things a bit unnecessarily? (unless I have misunderstood your point).

We develop and test our OXPs - at least I do - in the AddOns directory, starting Oo with the shift-key when we wish it to flush the cache for the new changes. When all is good and bug-free, we zip up the contents of our OXP folder, re-name it .oxz, and upload it to the Manager and the Wiki.

The process is simple and straightforward enough already, n'est-ce pas?

[stranger]

And it is easy to manage experimental packages in AddOns folder without adding/removing content. Just change MyAnotherCoolIdea.oxp to MyAnotherCoolIdea.oxp OFF to temporary disable it, edit, change to MyAnotherCoolIdea.oxp again to activate it, test!

[commander_STyx2909]

Thank you for pointing this. A neat solution to test a simple OXP.

My point is rather on testing multiple OXPs at once.

[Cody]

You could have a 'career' build and a test build - but I guess that ain't what you want.

[commander_STyx2909]

You could have a 'career' build and a test build - but I guess that ain't what you want.

I tried it, but I found out, both are interacting. Either if one is installed for the whole system and the other for myself, they both point out to the GNUStep folder in my Home directory...
One solution would be to compile a version for myself, but I'm not found of it either.

I need to take a look into running VM.

[Cody]

... they both point out to the GNUStep folder in my Home directory...

You're on LInux, so you'd perhaps need a penguinista's help, but multiple installs works fine on Windows.

[stranger]

Well, there is old trick to switch multiple OXPs at once.
1. Create folder MyTestingGround in your AddOns folder
2. Place all your experimental OXPs onto this folder
3. Add .oxp expansion to this folder.
MyTestingGround -> MyTestingGround.oxp
Now you can switch this "super-OXP": MyTestingGround.oxp <-> MyTestingGround.oxp OFF

Before Oolite 1.80 all my OXPs were grouped such way

AddOns
-->Ooniversum.oxp
---->AmbienceOne.oxp
---->AmbienceTwo.oxp
...
-->GameMechanics.oxp
---->MechOne.oxp
---->MechTwo.oxp
...
etc.

[commander_STyx2909]

Well, there is old trick to switch multiple OXPs at once.
1. Create folder MyTestingGround in your AddOns folder
2. Place all your experimental OXPs onto this folder
3. Add .oxp expansion to this folder.
MyTestingGround -> MyTestingGround.oxp
Now you can switch this "super-OXP": MyTestingGround.oxp <-> MyTestingGround.oxp OFF

Before Oolite 1.80 all my OXPs were grouped such way

AddOns
-->Ooniversum.oxp
---->AmbienceOne.oxp
---->AmbienceTwo.oxp
...
-->GameMechanics.oxp
---->MechOne.oxp
---->MechTwo.oxp
...
etc.

thank you!