[twilight-devel] data file location

[Peter Jay Salzman]

third party opinion, from someone who plays quake.


begin Forest 'LordHavoc' Hale <havoc at telefragged.com> 
> Joseph Carter wrote:
> >On Sun, Feb 09, 2003 at 03:13:51AM -0800, Forest 'LordHavoc' Hale wrote:
> >
> >
> >While this will work in win32, it is different from Linux where the
> >working directory is NEVER going to be suitable.  The goal was to make
> >them do the same thing so that we don't need:
> 
> I see absolutely no sane reason to make them the same.
 
i whole heartedly agree.   it's aesthetically pleasing to have the same
behavior, but from a practical standpoint, there's really no sane reason
to do so.

> Nothing that complicated.  Also realize that packaged Linux versions 
> won't ask anything (because their etc config already points to the right 
> thing and thus it just starts up fine).
 
again, i'm completely in agreement.

> >I do not buy that Linux must be inherently more complex just because.  And
> >in case the user's shortcut is screwy, it is still necessary for the thing
> >to work sanely.  Again, I propose a cascade of tests beginning with an
> >environment variable and ending with asking the OS where the data files
> >should be.  I do not have the pseudocode in front of me now, but I can
> >provide it upon request.
> 
> It is totally unreasonable to work with a broken shortcut, VERY few 
> commercial games do!
> 
> It is completely expected behavior by ALL windows users that a broken 
> shortcut will NOT work!  Trying to work with a broken shortcut is 
> COMPLETE INSANITY!

once again, i agree.

> Environment variable??  Why would someone have an environment variable 
> set in the first place?  Many 'Linux gamers' don't even know what script 
> to edit to make a permanent environment variable.  I don't even 
> understand what you're proposing, it makes no sense.
 
agree somewhat.  it's nice to specify things via an environment
variable, but dot files are good too.

sometimes i feel like i have too many dot files, so an environment
variable is sometimes appreciated.

pete