What is the Best Way to Clean Up This Forum?

[Pyriel]

I don't use this section much, so to those of you who actually do the converting, what are your ideas for how this should be organized?

My current thoughts are as follows:

Separate forum for porting requests. The results of the requests will be posted in raw format in the appropriate region's forum. All topics will be limited to the request, and relevant discussion, with links provided to related topics in other forums by the porters.
The porting forum will auto-prune. Since only the initial request, and not its results are there, nothing will be lost by removing threads. The ideal state of the forum will be one or two pages of threads each less than two months old.
A new rule will be added to each region's forum, stating that requests will only be filled in unencrypted form. This will cut down on clutter in the game's thread. Conversion threads can be linked from the request/code topic.
A separate forum for each region for code conversions.
I'm not sure how to handle individual threads for conversions. My first thought would be one thread per game, however the converters seem to prefer having the to- and from-formats in the thread title.


Some of this may be too radical to implement on a forum, but this is a start. Please feel free to critique and throw out your own ideas here. Some time in the next few weeks I'd like to see this part of the forum cleaned up and reorganized.

[lee4]

*Separate forum for porting region requests

*Separate forum for ARmax and RAW (CB/GS) requests

*Making new threads like "plz convert codes", I dislike that.
making thread make like game name, region and from/to cheat device
example:
Final Fantasy XII NTSC-U/C CB7+ to GS
Final Fantasy XII NTSC-U/C CB7+ to Armax

*ARmax users need include the (M) codes they using for the game

[bfoos]

I'd almost prefer one thread per game, regardless of from/to, but based on my experience in this forum, that can get quite confusing. Though, with a separate porting request forum and converting forums split by region, it would surely alleviate much of the confusion. I could go either way on the individual threads, personally.

All in all, I like your ideas, Pyriel. It would also be nice if a member of the staff with moderating privileges would pay attention to the forum. I know there are lots of mods, but sadly, the vast majority of them are not active members.

As for lee4's suggestions, I agree with most of them.

* Separate forum for porting requests as outlined above.

* We don't need separate forums for armax and all other devices. One forum would suffice.

* Nondescript thread titles should be abolished.

* I can go either way on the individual threads. All in one thread is fine with me, as well as individual threads from/to.

* To-armax requests should if possible include the (M) code or any other code they are using, for that matter or the game ID if known.

**EDIT**
One more thing. It might be useful to have a converting help forum as well. There are a few users who genuinely would like to learn how and it would help to reduce clutter in individual threads, as well as being much easier for users to find and follow.

[Blackblitz7]

make a section for certain types of games like RPG section Action/adventure section etc

[bfoos]

That would be a terrible thing to do. We don't need a billion sub forums.

[Blackblitz7]

That would be a terrible thing to do. We don't need a billion sub forums.
srry just tryin to make a suggestion

[Shanatan]

I agree with most, if not all of the suggestions in this thread.


Descriptive topic titles
Separate forum for ARMAX users
Separate forum for porting requests even though, personally, I hardly, if at all butt in with that.
Individual threads for conversion would do just fine.
ARMAX users should include a (M) code or at least the Game ID for their requests. I think I speak for everyone that it's a pain in the butt to look for the (M) code that they're using.
For conversion requests; Include from/to region! Either in the topic title, or in the post itself.

[Pyriel]

All right, I've moved this to general support, so hopefully some of the other mods will chime in.

Additions to what I previously stated:


PS2 Hacking becomes a separate category.
The homebrew sub-forum, and the threads in the PS2 Hacking forum itself will be merged into a Utilities and Software forum. Conversion tools, homebrew, and other useful programs may be discussed there.
A general hacking forum will be added specifically for the PS2 to avoid confusion. The existing forum will remain as a catch-all for topics not related to the PS2.
Code Database forums will be created for CodeBreaker Version 7+, and AR MAX within NTSC/UC, AR MAX and ARv1 within NTSC/J, and AR MAX (I think there was an Xploder with required encryption, but I don't recall) within the PAL region. Anything that might have a required encryption (please identify others). Databases will not be created for older Action Replays (with the exception of the Japanese forum). If you own one, I suggest upgrading.
Within the hacking forum, all requests will be fulfilled in unencrypted format, with the exception of rare codes that require AR MAX commands. This forum will represent the "raw" code database.
Hackers can, at their prerogative, add their codes to the individual encrypted databases. Otherwise, they can be added by the individuals who do the converting.
Conversion requests in the hacking forum will be deleted.
Conversion requests that target an outdated encryption, for a device where the encryption is optional will be ignored. For example, a request for RAW to CBv6 will be ignored. RAW to CBv7 will be answered with encrypted codes, but only if the official list uses the CBv7 encryption. A request for AR MAX to CBv7 will be answered with raw codes unless the official list is encrypted.
The results of all conversions will be added to the appropriate database.
Encrypting to outdated devices can still be done, but it will not be archived.
Conversion threads will be deleted from the conversion forum once answered.
New moderators will be added for the conversion forums. I'm thinking Lee4 and bfoos.

[bfoos]

That all sounds good to me. I'd be glad to help out any way I can.

One thing about RAW to CBv7 though. It isn't really necessary to convert to CBv7 due to the encryption off code (0CF49BDF A4E29C32). Or are you thinking that would just cause more confusion than it's worth?

[Pyriel]

More confusion than it's worth, and the encryption-off code is buggy in at least some versions. Even if it works on your version, you still have to plan way ahead, as you can't go back later and add official codes to the list without either reorganizing, or inserting them into another code. All things considered, it's less trouble to just provide encrypted codes.

[Skiller]

"New moderators will be added for the conversion forums. I'm thinking Lee4 and bfoos."

that would be good .
Armax and CB7+ encryption are about the only one that need to be Converted .. (thats if they are using the CB7+ encryption and not the raw format ..
wounder how hard it would be to add An auto Converter to the forum For CB7+ encryption. since it uses the same Beefc0de all the time . dont know how hard it would be to do this kinda Copy Convert and Past into other Database but it could be one idea .. making converting from Armax to raw and Raw to armax the only thing converters having to worry about .

Since ar2v1 is about the only other one that needs to be converted but is vary old .. (upgrade) and everything about ar2v2/gs2v2 uses raw exept armax we could kill one thing off lol

I still would not mind trying to go with my old idea of the Database Program with the Tiein of Maxconvert/CB7+ converter .. :P

Porting Sub forum might be Help full . But then again How many ppl dont Notice the diffrince between porting and Converting .. i see alot of ppl thinking its all converting ..

[bfoos]

More confusion than it's worth, and the encryption-off code is buggy in at least some versions. Even if it works on your version, you still have to plan way ahead, as you can't go back later and add official codes to the list without either reorganizing, or inserting them into another code. All things considered, it's less trouble to just provide encrypted codes.
Okay, I see your point and I agree.


Porting Sub forum might be Help full . But then again How many ppl dont Notice the diffrince between porting and Converting .. i see alot of ppl thinking its all converting ..
Yes, most people requesting don't seem to catch on to the difference between converting and porting. A sticky with a brief explanation of the two would probably be a good idea. Some posting guidelines would obviously need to be set.

[lee4]

I like these ideas already.

About Xpoder latest version should fall in same catalogue as Madcatz GS
there only 3 major active (ARmax, CB7, GSv3) cheat devices and 2 obselete (GS/ARv1-2 and CBv1-6) cheat devices
here chart of cheat devices sold by Region
http://www.codemasters-project.net/vb/showpost.php?p=69016&postcount=9

[Pyriel]

Yeah, I know the version history of all the devices pretty well. However, there was an Xploder (version 3 or 4 perhaps) or two that came out shortly before the whole GameShark vs. CodeBreaker to-do. I was told that there is one version that only accepts unencrypted codes, which is cool, but I can't recall if there was a version where the encryption was absolutely required that made it out in that time frame too.

These would three or four year-old versions now, so it may not be worth worrying about them. Also, the person who gave me this information has proven somewhat unreliable in the past. I don't think he would have bothered to lie about something like that, but he could well have been mistaken.

[EvilMan_89]

Okay, I see your point and I agree.
A sticky with a brief explanation of the two would probably be a good idea. Some posting guidelines would obviously need to be set.
no real point. seeing as no one actually reads them.

and i think that if there's a way to make threads get deleted automatically after a certain amount of time, that would help make it cleaner. it seems like after someone gets the codes they wanted, the thread just dies anyway

[bfoos]

If people don't read them and don't follow the rules, their threads get locked. It's dead simple really. Look at what's happening in the NTSC forum for example.

[lee4]

Can [Playstation 2 Hacking] section move up between [Code Hacking] and [Gaming Chat] section?

[Pyriel]

It's staying at the bottom until I'm done. After that it will be below the Information section. Right now, the forums in that section are closed for posting anyway.

[Shanatan]

Holy crap, nice job. :o I actually had to find my way around =P

EDIT: Could someone change the "NTSC/J -> Action Replay Version 1" to "Action Replay Version 1/2" because altcodex, as an example, uses ARv2 for some of their codes as well =)

[lee4]

I have not yet seen ARv2 on Japanese code site (altcodex) and ARv2 falls under RAW codes compatible cheat device

[Ichi]

Whrer are the PS2 and DS requests sections.

[lee4]

They're still here just rename to:

PS2
NTSC U/C Game Hacking
http://www.codemasters-project.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=19
PAL Game Hacking
http://www.codemasters-project.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=20
NTSC/J Game Hacking
http://www.codemasters-project.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=18

nDS Requests
http://www.codemasters-project.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=87

[Skandulous]

lookin good guys keep up the good work im around just been very very busy

[djweevil]

I would very much like to see an Alphabetical organized code section ie a,b,c,d for the diff sections ntsc pal etc. That Mayhaps only a handful of people can add to then there would be zero excuse for not searching. I have noticed i have to scroll 10 + pages to find one code most of the stuff is no that code doesn't work or that one does and I have this scus some kind of fancy layout would def be cool so lee can have his day 1 and gs files up for each game say each game has a page codes tested up top master codes for each system. Comments about the game underneath and maybe a voting system for requests. In the req forumn. To ease some of the psychosis some of you coders are on the verge of or have sucumbed too. Just some thoughts. Btw i wanted to say ty to you coders and all those that have answered my questions thus far. I am really enjoying these forums it is probably one of the most relaxed places i have visited cheers :)

[Pyriel]

Use the search feature. Also, if you click "thread title" above the column with the thread titles in it, oddly enough, the thread list will be sorted alphabetically. That's why I changed the rules to do away with [REQUEST], and all that silly crap. It mungs up the usefulness of sorting on thread title.