Open Source Modding

[2310]

If I wanted to start an entirely open-source mod (not just a combined work), what would be the best way to do it? Maps aren't multiple files, & they aren't plain text ... Also, has this been done before?

[kiddten]

most maps released are "open source" and are known as "unprotected maps".

[2310]

I know; that's what I found on search. What I mean is something like some Linux systems - in this case, a single mod, but editable by many people. Like a wiki.

[kiddten]

kinda no point. just release your mod, and say something along the lines of "fell free to edit this mod" and so on.

[Amy]

kinda no point. just release your mod, and say something along the lines of "fell free to edit this mod" and so on.

No, he wants to start a collab numnut.

[2310]

kinda no point. just release your mod, and say something along the lines of "fell free to edit this mod" and so on.

No, he wants to start a collab numnut.

An advanced form of collab where everyone can apply their own updates and I just moderate the edits ... and maybe just put my name as "Collab Moderator" for not doing much

[nil]

What you may be thinking of is open source software (and software in general) using version control systems, so that people can easily collaborate on a single project, and also backup every single change they make to the project. There's no great way to do it for .map mods because as you've already said, map files aren't plain text so you won't be able to easily compare the diffs of each change (revision).

[2310]

Unless someone invents an easy way of splitting a map into the bitmaps, sounds, models, and tags, (that's all the components right?) then an easy way of putting it back together.

[Devious]

What you could do is use a program like ipatch to compare two versions of the map and change any differences.
Seabeast did this to make a black base glitch fixing app.

[Sparky]

And yes, feel free to use the HDM wiki - just add your mod to the Mod Database and give it a memorable name so we can DL and update it at will. The only issue I can see with this is having multiple people modding it at once. You could coordinate this by using the File's discussion page, have people leave notes saying they'll have the mod "for the next three hours" or something like that.

[seabeast]

What you could do is use a program like ipatch to compare two versions of the map and change any differences.
Seabeast did this to make a black base glitch fixing app.

But for some reason it didn't always work.

[2310]

And yes, feel free to use the HDM wiki - just add your mod to the Mod Database and give it a memorable name so we can DL and update it at will. The only issue I can see with this is having multiple people modding it at once. You could coordinate this by using the File's discussion page, have people leave notes saying they'll have the mod "for the next three hours" or something like that.

Ok, thanks! That was what I thought was the main problem why just leaving it & letting people update it wouldn't work - if it's something that lots of people are modding. People don't usually take just 3 hours to adjust a mod ... Alternatively, we could have a section on the download page that people would edit each time they were working on it - something like

STATUS: Editing
CURRENT MODDER: 2310
ESTIMATED COMPLETION: 2100 EST

[Sparky]

I'm bumping this topic for two reasons:

First, it relates to a term I coined for one of Zeus's features called multi-modding, where there is a hosted modding session and changes to a map file are shared over the network. This is the same thing as a shared text editor like ACE (A Collaborative Editor).

Secondly, because I was considering ideal licensing terms, and this is what I want to talk about in another topic which will be found under General Discussion since it is not unique to Halo Demo.