6 If you dont understand computer terms

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6 If you dont understand computer terms; Geek to English Dictionary
Topic Started: Jun 12 2008, 03:19 PM (287 Views)
Bben46	Jun 12 2008, 03:19 PM Post #1
Master Librarian Posts: 714 Group: Master Librarian Member #2 Joined: May 27, 2008	I don't understand what all these computer geek terms mean. This deals with computer terms as they relate to Oblivion Mods. If you come across a term that you don't understand let me know and I will be happy to include it here. Folder: Think of your hard drive as a filing cabinet. It has different drawers - the main subdivisions such as My documents or programs. these are used to organize the folders which hold the files. A folder can also hold other folders (sub folders). Sub folder: A folder that is contained inside of another folder. File: This is a single piece of something, like a piece of paper in the filing cabinet. Such as Oblivion.exe, the .exe tells geeks that this is an executable file or a program. in fact it is the Oblivion game program. Many times a program needs smaller pages to work, these files can be many different types. In Oblivion mods you will be most concerned with .esp files these are the actual mod files. Program: A file that is 'executable' or has instructions that the computer can act on. A program can be 'run' while a non executable file needs a program to do anything. Data: Information that can be used by a program. The .esp files that contain mods are 'data' files that have new information that Oblivion.exe can use to make the mod work. And for some reason, The program expects to find them in a sub folder named 'Data' (C:\Programs and files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\Data)If you are going to use mods you need to know where this is and how to put things into it. Path, or file path: This is the directions to the computer telling it how to find a file or program, each folder is seperated by a \ (back slash). so the directions for finding the Oblivion.exe (the game) are C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\Oblivionlauncher.exe The translation is: Start at the C: drive (drives and other physical devices will have a : (colon) after them to let the computer know that this is a device. Then a \ (backslash) to let it know that what follows is a seperate instruction, then look in the C:\ drive for the folder named 'Programs and Files' (C:\Program and Files)another \ then look in the Programs and Files folder for a subfolder named 'Bethesda Softworks' C:\Programs and Files\Bethesda Softworks - That is the name of the company that makes Oblivion, all of their games go in this sub folder. - Next, in that folder, look for a sub folder named 'Oblivion'. (C:\Programs and Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion)Then in that folder find the program (.exe) named OblivionLauncher.exe and run it. (C:\Programs and Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\oblivionlauncher.exe) This is the 'default' of recommended 'path' for installing Oblivion on a computer running Windows XP. on a Vista system it will be different. When it finds the .exe you asked for, it will stop looking and run the program named Oblivionlauncher The launcher checks to see if you have the Oblivion CD in your CD drive (usually D: or E:)loads several other files needed for Oblivion to work, then displays the Oblivion menu - you will see the start menu with Play, Data Files Options and other choices.If you select Play, it starts another program named Oblivion.exe which is the actual game. To make it simpler, Windows allows shortcuts that can be placed on the desktop (the first screen you see when it starts, the one with the icons on it) Oblivion puts a shortcut on your desktop that automatically does the work of following the path, finding the right.exe program and starting the game for you. Vanilla: This just means the game with NO mods, only the patch is considered a part of the vanilla game. Patch: An official upgrade to the game from the maker (Bethesda Softworks), usually to fix problems. Be sure you get the patch that matches the language of your game disk. Note there are 2 English patch versions for Oblivion, US & UK and the are different. However, there is only one English patch for both US & UK for Shivering Isles. All patches are available here: http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/updates_patches.htm GOTY: Abbreviation for 'Game of the Year' version. Includes Oblivion, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine and all except one of the DLC mods. DLC: Abbreviation for 'Downloadable Content' - Only available from the Bethesda official Oblivion Website. They are for pay, but inexpensive. Available Here: http://obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 OBMM: Oblivion Mod manager, a program (Not a Mod) used to organize mods and change load order of mods. available here: http://timeslip.chorrol.com/obmm.html OBSE: Oblivion Script Extender. A program (not a mod) used to add to the Oblivion game and make possible mods that the original game designers did not believe could be done. Required for some mods. Available here: http://obse.silverlock.org/ SI: Abbreviation for the game expansion Shivering Isles. KOTN: Abbreviation for the game expansion Knights of the Nine. CS: Abbreviation for the Oblivion Construction Set that allows you to make your own mods. Available here: (FREE) http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/updates_utilities.htm CTD: Crash to desktop. Oblivion (or some other program) just dumps you out and back to the desktop, maybe with a cryptic message. maybe not. Don't bother notifying Microsoft you will get a canned reply that it is not their problem. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is an example of the kind of support, you can find inside The Storm Raven Library. Registration is free. To sign up click on the link below and Register http://s1.zetaboards.com/TheStormRavenLibrary/index/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Bben46, May 10 2009, 07:48 AM.



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