The Neverwinter Vault

[Legacy_TimG]

               ...is an odd place.  I can't figure out how some things work.  Modules are listed as "updated" even though the "last updated" line when you mouse over in files doesn't show any changes.  I know some move up the list when they join the Hall of Fame but I can't see a pattern.
I'm also not sure of the etiquette for getting help on a module.  I see there's a line to email authors but I don't want to seem presumptuous.  On the other hand, many people may not check the vault very often at all.
A last point, the authors that do check the vault and make the updates that keep it all going should be lauded for their efforts.  For those of us with no technical skill (Me, esp) the forums here and at the Vault are a great help.  I worry that the old forums will disappear some time and there's a lot of info there too.
Anyway, what's your take on the Vault?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Khuzadrepa]

               The Vault is a wonderful place for me.  I've spent hours scanning through entries that people created to enrich the game and community.  It's been an invaluable tool.

The updated thing, I think, simply means that either the author or admin logged into the entry.  It doesn't necessarily mean anything was actually changed.
As for the Hall of Fame, I believe after being available for 3 months, have 25 votes, and if your rating is above 8, it is tagged as a possible HoF submission. The top three for each category are then inducted each month.

My only complaints, which are very small, are the organization of the entries and the sp@m comments.  It would be great if a better structure could be implemented to reorganize a lot of entries.  The Vault has evolved over time, adding new categories (which could be expanded even more), but older entries that should be in the new category don't get migrated over.  Also, it would be great if an admin could sift through the entries and remove the irrelevant comments entered by fake people.

However, nowadays, the only person (that I know of) that administrates that forum is Maximus, so I understand that this isn't feasible considering he's only one person with numerous responsibilities.
Neither of those things will deter me, as the Vault is a fantastic resource that we should treasure.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Khuzadrepa, 03 mars 2011 - 04:49 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Karvon]

               Amazing resource; a bit like poking around in an old antique shop at times, as some stuff hasn't been updated - and doesn't always work with the current version of the game. Always wise to read the last page of comments for modules to see if there are any such complaints noted.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_The Amethyst Dragon]

               The "last updated" list and reference refer to the last time the entry itself was modified in some way.  It could be the Vault staff adding a Hall of Fame tag, it could be the author updating the download file itself or just the description.  As far as mousing over for the updated date, I never bother with that since it's not correct in a lot of cases.

As far a getting help with a module, you can email the author (there's nothing presumptuous about that).  Personally, I welcome emails if folks have questions about anything I've put up on the Vault (and I'll take messages here on this forum, too).  Also, this forum is a great resource full of helpful folks, and the old forums are basically just an archive now (with an incredible amount of helpful info).

I do check my Vault entries, just not on a daily (or weekly) basis...unless it's something I just recently uploaded and more likely to have questions posted about it.

I like the Vault.  It enables me to both contribute to the NWN community and have a place where my players can download needed files 24/7 without me using up my webserver's bandwidth (I have more than enough storage space, but bandwidth can be limited when dealing with hundreds of megs of files).

I think the Vault is an incredible resource for content and ideas.  I never bother with the Vault's forums, but having access to all that content is wonderful.  Once in a while I browse through some of the older stuff to see if something I need is available (and can be updated for my use), so even things that haven't been updated to 1.69 are great to have.  Even if you see something that's just close to what you want to do, you can always ask the author how they did it...those still involved with NWN may just help you out. '>

And as far as the Vault admin go, I've not interacted with Maximus much, but BeyondThePale has been very helpful with things ranging from helping me FTP large files to fixing a recurring password issue to working with me when running ad graphics on the main page.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par The Amethyst Dragon, 03 mars 2011 - 07:16 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_TimG]

               I find find the Vault useful and probably check it every other day or so since I can do it from work (HA-HA-HA!).  I do tend to read through the comments section for something I might download before I do the actual download.  I just can't always figure out the workings of it.  Sometimes the search function results leave me baffled.  I certainly agree that it is like an antique shop in many ways.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Khuzadrepa]

               

TimG wrote...
Sometimes the search function results leave me baffled.

This is something I can help with.  Often, the best strategy is to do a search within a specific category, rather than of the whole site.  For example, if you know that what you are looking for is a script, only search within the script section.  You'll get much better results.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_TimG]

               good tip, thanks