Zugg Software :: View topic

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:25 pm

want to get the free trial and see.
BUT i'm afraid of what will happen if i don't like it and uninstall it.
I could swear i remember reading horror stories about zmud crapping out after an install/uninstall of cmud.
Is this no longer the case?

Also, what is the BEST way to install cmud for maximum workability with zmud transfers?
zmud is installed right into the c drive directory (C:\zMUD)

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:36 pm

The two programs have never had any effect on each other not even when installed to the same directory so I've no idea where you have read that.

I would recommend installing CMUD with the default choices in the setup wizard. The program parts go in Program Files\CMUD and your personal files parts go in My Documents\My Games\CMUD or the Vista equivalent.

Once CMUD is installed and run for the first time it will ask you to locate your zMUD installation directory in order to do an import.

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:52 pm

Early on it was suggested you might want to install zMUD and CMUD in the same folder - don't do that. As long as they're in separate folders, there's no problem whatsoever.

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:53 pm

Just chatter i heard on my mud.
don't matter i guess, was a long while ago and IF there had been one, i'm sure it woulda been mentioned and fixed by now.
Is there a reason why i CAN'T install it to the C drive directly? (C:\CMUD)
And I was hoping that the need to keep the "personal files" separate from the install directory was resolved...*mutter*
I just like to have things that work together BE together. Aw well. can just make a shortcut to the folder from the CMUD folder i guess.

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:07 pm

Er... you can install CMUD anywhere you can write a file. I have CMUD installed in the root of a drive just fine. If there's a problem, it's something your OS is doing.

Also, there's nothing compelling you to have the data files separate from the install files - this is a standard now in Vista and can cause problems if you've put CMUD in a folder Vista is trying to protect (like Program Files), but there's an option in the installer to use the install directory (or any directory of your choice) for the data files instead of a separate folder in My Documents.

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:22 pm

ah kewl. Don't use Vista.

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:42 pm

I think people have already mentioned this, but the main issue is:

Do not put your Data files into the Windows ProgramFiles directory

That's the key. This is even important on Windows XP and not just Vista. Microsoft just doesn't want programs writing to the ProgramFiles area...it is supposed to be just for the binary portions of the applications.

This is why CMUD has separate install questions for the Application vs the Data Files.

There are really only TWO good installation choices on any version of Windows:

1) Accept the default installer values, placing your application files into "Program Files" and your Data files into "%DOCUMENTS%". This is the default and is highly recommended, especially for Vista.

2) Change both installer values, placing your application files into their own separate directory, like C:\CMUD (do NOT put them into ProgramFiles), and then choice the Data Files location of "same directory as program files". That will put *everything* into the chosen directory (like C:\CMUD).

It sounds like you want to do option #2, which is fine. I actually use that option a lot myself so that I can keep multiple versions of CMUD on my system for testing.

Just keep in mind that while you don't use Vista *today*, someday you *will* have a different version of Windows, and all future versions of Windows will enforce the same restrictions on the Program Files directory. I've even seen some people using XP SP3 that have the same Program Files restrictions.

The concept of separating your user "Data Files" from the application files is actually a good one, and something Microsoft should have enforced a long time ago. For example, think about backup. You really only need to backup your user-created data, such as your MUD scripts, session files, maps, etc. You don't need to backup the CMUD.EXE file....not when you can easily just download and reinstall the application. Separating your data files makes it much easier to move your data to different computers, back it up, etc, without also moving the very large *.EXE and *.DLL application code files.

So, I still recommend using option #1 to keep your User data files in the My Documents area were it is easier to backup along with your other personal data. But feel free to choose option #2 if you want.