More Awesome Than You!

I originally planned to update Monique's BV Cheap Computer for my own use with new functions and badges that came with FreeTime until Kyna asked if I planned to make this available for FreeTime (via Monique's Thread and PMs at MTS2). I told her I can try to make the updated version available.

Right now with this updated computer, the function - Buy Video Games Online - is working as originally intended by Monique. When the Sim chooses to "Buy Video Games Online", he/she is presented with a video game dialog box (the same kind of window spawned for buying clothes, jewelery and etc.). Only two games were displayed - Sims Bustin' Out and SimCity 4 Rush Hour. The new games from FT did not show up. I examined how Monique wrote her set of instructions for buying video games online and discovered that she wrote her own set of instructions that didn't match the Maxis code for buying video games. **I decided to leave the Buy Video Games Online function as is with no update.**

I compiled a zipped package with all of the files and readme.txt to be made available for download.

Many thanks for any help with this!!

** Thank you guys for the feedback and comments about the updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer.  Very much appreciated!**

All credit goes to Monique for her original work:

http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=64137 (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=64137)

Chaavik


Fixed (3-29-08):

Removed the autonomy from studying badges on both home and business lots. Visitors (unless they're employees directed to study badges by your Sim managers) should not autonomously study badges on both types of lots.

Fixed (3-31-08):

Addressed the issue with the autonomous behavior displayed by a Sim when he/she tries to study a FT badge.

Fixed (4-2-08):

Monique's Cheap Computer is -now- compatible with JM Pescado's "nohumble" mod. You can use either Pescado's "nohumble" or Jfade's "djshumblechoice" mods. For descriptions of their mods, visit their sites/threads to check them out. Whichever floats your boat.

Fixed (4-4-08):

A minor label fix was implemented to address the issue brought up by jsalemi in Alexx's thread. The old label "Sell Community Lot" was changed back to "Sell Owned Lot" to reflect the option(s) to sell both vacation homes and business lots back. "Sell Community Lot" was Monique's own label for the original "Sell Owned Lot" function that was seen on Maxis computers.

Fixed (4-4-08):

With Alexx's permission, I incorporated his fix for the Write Novel issue he addressed in his thread. Monique's original Write Novel function was re-introduced into the FT version of Monique's Cheap Computer.

**Thank you for allowing me to incorporate the fix, Alexx.**

4-5-08:

Redownload if you don't have the current version to be sure you have the most recently updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer for FreeTime. Remember to remove any old versions of Monique's Cheap Computer and install the newest version. Just a reminder to watch for new updates. I'm currently working on the Expensive Computer version (the laptop wanna-be). I don't know when I will release this one, but keep an eye out for this one.

4-9-08:

Readjusted the price on this version to bring it in line, but the Cheap Computer is still slightly more expensive with newer features. It's just like in reality, computers with Vista are more expensive with new features than computers with Windows 98/XP. That same idea is applied to this computer in Sims 2.


Monique's Cheap Computer is now priced at $1500 with new features, whistles and bells (Kitchen sink not included) for your Sim(s) to drool over, making Moneywell's outdated computer (Maxis), Little Sister's WD15 flimsy laptop-wannabe (Maxis) and Mr Humble's craptastic computer (Maxis) look like slow and ugly dinosaurs.

*As if Eaxis got any clue what real computers look like or do..*


New Features:

Give Financial Advice - (better wording than "Give Financial Consulting" only on this computer. Why "Give Financial Consulting" when "Give Financial Advice" is much better and comprehendable? Available only IF the Fortune Sim or Sim with Secondary Fortune Aspiration choose the benefit from their Aspiration window for FT.)

Browse Web/Blog - (Available only IF the Sim has enough enthusiasm points in his or her hobby to do either one. All of the hobbies will become available if the Sim reach that point in some, most or all of his or her hobbies to do so. Enabled for children as well as teens, adults and elders to browse the web and/or blog if they have enough enthusiasm points in their hobby.)

Write Restaurant Guide - (Available only IF the Pleasure Sim or Sim with Secondary Pleasure Aspiration choose the benefit from their Aspiration window for FT.)

Start Gaming Competition - (Available only IF there is more than one computer and more than one Sim on a home or university lot. Similar to LAN Party, but available at all times.)

Write Novel - (Completely revamped to be compatible with FreeTime. This new function enables Sims to choose the plot elements and book cover for their new novels just like they would on the FT computers.)

Pottery and Sewing Badges - (Added to the functions for studying badges on a home lot and a business lot.)

All of the original options (except Write Novel) are available on this updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer for those of you who want everything -but- the kitchen sink. This version has autonomy removed, meaning that there should be -no- reason for your Sim(s) to touch the computer without you telling them to.

This version can use recolors made by Monique and happygolucky at the following:

Monique: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=64137 (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=64137)
happygolucky: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=233276 (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=233276)


Screenshots to check out the new features:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS5.jpg (http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS5.jpg) - FreeTime Options
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS3.jpg (http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS3.jpg) - Study Badge Options
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS1.jpg (http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Chaavik_87/FTMQSS1.jpg) - Start Gaming Competition and Write Restaurant Guide Options


Re-download the new and (final) version please!

*CAUTION*: If you don't have FreeTime, don't download this. Go to Monique's thread to donwload the appropriate version for your current expansion pack.

EDIT:

Thank you all for the comments, suggestions and links and had made this a fun experience to work on this computer. I now have new versions for both FT and AL at Insimenator. Feel free to drop by there and pick up a couple for yourself.

Since not everyone reads the readmes, I thought I'd mention this part of the readme, for those who use Pescado Director's Cut.


Time for me to switch to jfade's hack, so I can start testing this in normal gameplay.

Thanks.

Thanks so much for pointing that out. Let me know how the new computer is working for you.

I am so glad that you are up dating this computer. I will be happy to help test it.

Chaavik thank you for update de monique pc, i tryed and work "fine" the only problem i see is automonosy try to study the new badges, i remember monique`s do that

I see Chaavik is now not awesome.  Where does that leave this hack?

Given the caption under the av and the first paragraph in her post, I think she chose the avatar herself.

(My apologies if you are male, Chaavik).

Why on earth does a computer fix conflict with an anti-Humble hack, which has nothing to do with the computer at all?

No offense. I am female irl, Kyna. And yes, I chose the avatar.


I think clarification is in order for this. Both "computerfixes" and "nohumble" mods did not conflict with each other. Those two mods originally conflicted with Monique's Cheap Computer individually. I fixed Monique's Cheap PC to be compatible with the "computerfixes" mod. Part of the "nohumble" mod worked fine preventing Mr Humble from appearing on the lot, but the other part allowing the Mr Humble PC computer to be made buyable was conflicting with not just Monique's Cheap Computer but also with custom and Maxis computers. The extracted computer was causing these computers to have options appearing twice under Play. Jfade's "djshumblechoice" mod worked similarly to yours, except that Mr Humble showed up. I allowed my Sim to accept the gift, and that Mr Humble PC worked fine without causing other computers to have options appearing twice under Play.

I opened up the Mr Humble PC object in SimPE and saw that this object lacked a set of Pie Menu Functions. Why did this object have a missing set of Pie Menu Functions? I'm not sure. I opened up a Maxis Moneywell Cheap Computer to see if this object has a set of Pie Menu Functions or not. This object does have a set.

I concluded that the extracted-made-buyable Mr Humble PC was conflicting with both custom and Maxis computers in a way not intended for the game. Jfade's mod didn't contain an extracted gift or pc to give the Sims, and the PC (that came in the gift left behind by Mr Humble) wasn't conflicting with both custom and Maxis computers.

I do hope this is sufficient information to shed light on the question.


Can you please describe exactly what your Sim was attempting to do when he/she try to study a new badge? Was that attempted on a home lot or a business lot? I would appreciate more information to see how I could help you out with this.

 i try of explain myself my english no is very good.

if in home i let a sim alone with free wiill he/she start study autonomys the badges, pottery or swieing
the visitor do this too.

i use djshumblechoice and computerfixes


i dont tryed in community lots

i hope this help

Okay, I will look into this. One more question though.. Did you use the autonomous or non-autonomous version of "computerfixes"? TwoJeff released two versions of that mod, one is autonomous and the other is not autonomous. If you could tell me which one you have, this would also help alot. Thank you for the feedback.

 i use Computer Fixes - No Autonomy, i hope can fix ( unless was feature ) i dont like study the automous the badges i feel is like cheat, in other way is great the update

ok, i see the update i will try tomorrow, today is too late

I have neither of those (I think). That thing happened to me too, almost all the visitors I had would go and start studying Pottery on the pc. (Don't know if it was random, but it was the pottery badge all 3 times that I caught them doing that)

Thank you for this by the way!

The new fix should stop the visitors from using the computer autonomously to study a badge. They shouldn't be allowed to use computers at all when they're visiting someone's home or business.

But that's impossible, the only thing involved in making the Humble PC buyable is an OBJD. An OBJD cannot affect anything outside of the modified object. there are no BHAV edits involved in making the Humble PC buyable at all, so if anything conflicts with that, you either have another hack doing exactly the same thing, or a GUID conflict. Both of these are bad.

Because FT-based computers no longer use their local group pie menus. All FT-based computers now use semiglobal pies. The old TTAB is vestigial.

Your conclusion appears to be erroneous and does not mesh with what is known about how things presently work. If you're seeing one particular game appear TWICE, it is because you managed to add it to the family inventory twice, which is an issue that afflicts all computers, such as if you get two Humble boxes.

Chaavik, i tryed the update version but still using the computer autonomously to study a badge maybe is hack conflic i will try more too see what happen thank youi anyway.

Check to see if there is a hack conflict. I've looked over the code to see if there was any reason for the autonomous behavior by the sims to study a badge to happen. I don't see how that could happen. Was this on a home or a business lot?


I did my testing without any mods installed except for the "nohumble" mod for the sole purpose of testing the updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer. The only reason for your mod to be installed was to test the Start Gaming Competition and not be bothered by Mr Humble visiting the lot. Naturally, I was curious enough to get my hands on the extracted-made-buyable computer to see how it looks and how it works.

From what I have seen in my game, the buyable computer caused this one to have twice the functions on the pie menu. This shouldn't happen. The other Maxis computers (both Cheap Computer and Expensive Computer) were affected with twice the functions on their pie menus.

All I've done, Pescado, was to add the new features and badges TO the computer. Nothing major was done to overhaul the computer. The work she did was pretty much left intact save for one function - Write Novel - to be made compatible with the FT version of Write Novel.

I would appreciate your help in finding the cause and fixing it to be compatible with your mod. That's the reason I'm asking for help testing the updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer.

I cannot thank you enough for updating Monique's computer, Chaavik.  As far as I can tell it's working perfectly for me, with the possible exception being game competitions.  However, I've been having a hard time getting them to work right in the first place with Maxis computers.  But everything is fine and it is SO great to have this back in my game again!

You're welcome. I've always enjoyed using her computer when I first discovered it at MTS2 around the time I bought Seasons, and I haven't lived without that computer since!


Edespino, I caught the problem with one of my Sims autonomously studying the two new FreeTime badges in my game. A fix will be uploaded later today when I get a chance to.

ok, thank you i will looking for it

Edespino, the new version is up now. The Sims (residents, not visitors) should not attempt to study Sewing or Pottery autonomously now.

Chaavik thank you i got now the new version but tomorow i will try it

seem work well, anybody try study badges in home ( i dont tryed in community lot )
 

thank you.

That's great! Glad to hear that!


Does anyone else have any issue with or comment about the updated version of Monique's Cheap Computer for FreeTime? I certainly hope that you found the updated computer fun to play with.

What did you do with the "write novel" option?

yes is fun but more that is useful, before the update i use two computers the original for ft stuff and the monique`s for monique stuff now again only use one.

i dont use all features someone i think are like cheating, i use the private school, Pescado make fiirst the "privateschoolfixes" but i like more the moniquè`s start paying $300 and if grades are high pay only $100. The bank stuff is great too, i use in minor way work in home

well i dont say more my english ¡s very limited and i dont found words for say i want say, i am a lurker for long time and almost no post for this.

Awesome, edespino. Thanks for your comments. :)


Monique's Cheap Computer's original version of Write Novel wasn't using the new features FT brought to Write Novel. Hers didn't bring up the options to choose the plot elements and book cover for the new novel, and when the novel was finished, the option to name the book and complete the book description wasn't coming up. So the original Write Novel option was replaced with the new FT Write Novel option to allow people to choose plot elements and bookcovers for their new books on top of naming and describing them.

Chaavik, thanks to you for updating this. Your update keeps the features I actually used from Monique's computer and missed terribly when it wasn't supported by her anymore. I haven't played with everything on it yet, but I'm glad to see my bill notification is back!

Thank you. I liked most of the features on her computer and actually used most of them for a variety of things like having my lazy sims make other sims write stories for them and so on. ;)

Thanks you soooo much for updating this. This is one of the must have's for my game.  :-*  ;D

Thanks so much for updating this, Chaavik. I also appreciate it. Any chances that you'll also be updating the Sunair light computer and/or Little Sister versions? This one can be a little large for some decor, that's all. Anyway, thanks either way and thanks once again for this much-needed update.  ;D

Hi Chaavik.
One of MATY(Jsalemi ) noticed missing pie menu option under Real Estate/Sell Owned Lot.
I've checked Monique's original BV version and this pie menu option and string is not exist.So,this option was missed by Monique.
Since your version  is BV based I think that you missed it too.Obviously you need to check it.
Good luck.

Okay, thank you, Alexx. I will load my game up and check that out. Be back to post anything I find with this new issue.


**Confirmed**

The issue will be addressed in a minor fix tomorrow (or later today since it is after midnight for me). Thank you, Alexx!

I'm still thinking about whether to update that one or not. Honestly, I am not going to update the Sunair Light version because that computer is someone else's creation that Monique worked on. I don't know where the original Sunair Light computer was uploaded to. And whether the original creator is still around or not to give permission for his/her work to be re-distributed.

But I definitely will think about updating that one.

Motoki made a laptop at one point, I wonder if that could be adapted? Or maybe it's too old now.

Thanks for responding to my inquiry, Chaavik. I appreciate it. I'm glad that you are considering updating to a less bulky computer. It would be so easy if EAxis had at least created a laptop or something else that isn't so damned bulky. I will be grateful for any less-cumbersome computer being converted to the your version of Monique's computer. However, if you do decide to do the Sunair system, it can be found here: http://sunairsims.enorth.com.cn/ (http://sunairsims.enorth.com.cn/), you can find it in the "Theme" section, on page 2. The site is a bloody nuisance to navigate, to say the least but I know she can be contacted at TSR as she is a featured artist there. Anyway, thanks once again for the work you put into this. :)

I did recall seeing a laptop like that somewhere and used it for awhile until I bought Seasons, and I promptly forgot where I got it from. Probably a bit too old to be used. Alot of these great Sims 2 sites have gone under, so many good stuff have either been lost or moved and/or discontinued.


Lily White, I will try working on the laptop-wannabe later and see how it works in FreeTime. I didn't like working with laptops because something funky can always happen with that object.


About the Sunair Light version, I did state I wouldn't update it, but if people want it, I will try to see if I can do that one. If not, I will comment something about this version. Just not sure if the original creator will like having her computer re-distributed elsewhere.

I am working on the Little Sister (Expensive Computer) version, but I am not sure when I will release it, Damon. Keep an eye out for this one. And no, I'm only updating Monique's Cheap and Expensive Computer versions.

I am looking into this Sunair Light version, but I won't get around to doing anything with that one until I finish working on the Expensive Computer version.

I'm sorry about not planning anything with the Teen Style computer although it looked cool.

By the way, thank you for the link, Lily Whyte!

You are very welcome, Chaavik. :) Thanks so much for starting work on the expensive computer. It is appreciated as all your work on this hack has been. :D

Thanks for the good work & updating this. Have a problem & a question. Can't purchase the love potion or cologne from the shop online Gypsy. It keeps canceling out,I did manage to get a cologne purchase once,no love potion yet.I've used a conflict utility to check compatibility with other hacks in my downloads folder,nothing shows up as a problem.

I've patched my game with the latest patch that was released & removed because of installations issues by EA,installed fine for me though.

Now the question..do loans or deposits accumulate interest in your bank online?
                                                                                                                  Thanks

Yes and yes.

Thanks, Chaavik, great work. I missed and now read "Fixed (3-29-08):Removed the autonomy from studying badges on both home and business lots. Visitors (unless they're employees directed to study badges by your Sim managers) should not autonomously study badges on both types of lots." I actually like the autonomy for studying badges, residents and visitors (Vocational education comes in mind). Better yet, it will be great if it can be set on and off, much like Monique's Write Article, day/night on/off. Can it be done? Please please..... :P

Just a little FYI, in case anyone else had this problem with Novel Writing on your updated version of Monique's updated computer, or Alexx's for that matter (I tested both versions).

I had left in Pescado's novelprogress.package, because, ya know, I'm a dork, and it seems to conflict with both yours and Alexx's updated Monique computers when it came to novel writing.  Actually, it conflicted with Novel Writing on any computer in FT, hacked or not, but some folks may think that the problem lies with your computers, when it doesn't (at least, I did, at first, until I saw it happened on all computers in the game).  The novel progress hack is not in the FT Director's Cut, which is why I'm a dork, for not just replacing my Director's Cut folder.  Anyways, when I had the novelprogress.package in, whenever a Sim would write a novel, I wouldn't get the choices for storyline and cover, nor would the novel be delivered to their residence, and it took about 5 minutes real time (I guess that's about an hour Sim time?) to write.  When I took it out, the Novel Writing happened as it's meant to in FT.

And thank you for updating this, to both you and Alexx.

Altered, novelprogress.package is discontinued, by Pescado's official words. So take it out.

Er, yeah Lion...already covered that in my post.  Not in Director's Cut usually means "discontinued".  It's why I admitted being a dork, for leaving it in.

Autonomy and FreeTime didn't mix too well!  ;D

The reason why all of the versions for FreeTime (Cheap, Expensive, Laptop and Sunair Light) is because the Sims acted like they -have- to be on or by the computer all the time when there is another Sim using the computer. They threw hissy fits every time. It was time to stomp this silly behavior. So, autonomy was removed for sanity reasons. BUT I allowed only employees to study almost autonomously if they're told by their managers to go study a badge on the business lot. They're the only type of visitors allowed to interact with computers on those lots.

I saw no sense in allowing visitors to use computers on home and dorm lots. They stopped by to visit with my Sims, didn't they? And dorm lots typically have more than five Sims at a given time, so one computer and more than five Sims is a bad idea. Didn't need visitors jostling the dorm residents to use the computer.

Sorry for the lack of response here in a long while. I came round to check up on the thread and realize that there were new posts. :)

I like the lack of autonomy. I actually changed the catalog description to $1 cost as I didn't want them inflating property value for my 'hood's 10%/season property taxes, plus everyone needs a comp to transfer money to the mayor and take out loans. I completely hide the computer on my poorer lots (putting it in the foundation) but on the ones that could normally afford a computer, I'll keep it up for convenience and donate $1000 for what the normal cost of having a computer is.

I use autonomous writing articles for two reasons/scenarios. One is, I like my sims to gain skills on their own, even back in the days when I played Maxis careers. To me, it is like they "want" to learn the skills. Some sims will learn those skills and advance on their career, others are just "lazy" and stay on low level jobs. They can learn autonomously cooking, cleaning, creativity, body, and mechanical (very rarely when they would fix appliances on their own, do they still do that?) with objects, but there is no way for them to learn charisma, autonomously.  I also collected autonomous career reward objects (first by Squinge, and then by AncientHighway at Inteen) to prepare for appropriate businesses for the future.  I have neighborhood "colleges" where teens and YAs (if I manage to make them) come in and "study" skills, in addition to right classes. Now since the badges are added, I want to open vocational schools so that sims (they would be visitors, or "pupils" by way of Inge's student token) will come to study badges to prepare for their future employment.

The other is a news agency that I run. It is a home business (or owned community business, either way), when employees (reporters) arrive, they would be drawn to the computers that are set to be autonomous for writing articles (day on only) to write for the owner. I also open a separate "front office" where visitors are allowed to enter. they would sometimes be drawn to those computers to write too (not all the time, which is perfect). I take it that they have written stories and sold to the newspaper. The money generated by finished articles are added to the owner's fund, and I would have the owner mail half of that amount to the visitor-writers to be their payoff. Or sometimes I do it with the owner buying a sculpture of that amount and "give gifts" to the visitor-writers if he is around.

Anyway, maybe I can tweak the TTAB for autonomy. Is that how you do it, Chaavik? And are those write articles on/off options still in?


Doesn't twojeffs have a fix for this in "computerfixes" (http://www.simbology.com/smf/index.php/topic,13.0.html)? It does not help?


I do these completely with the money order and monique's payer bills (at least for now because there is no computer for my hood, yet). My sims can only borrow money from other sims who have money. So no taking out loans from monique's computer (that comes from nowhere). And by the way, monique's payer bills loan function does not accrue interests every day, which I expected. It only adds the interest one time, when you borrow it. I need to find a way to fix this. Probably need to use monique's computer after all.  ::)

I don't mind that the money comes from nowhere. It's going to be paid back, afterall. In my 'hood, everyone has access to a mainland bank for loans, but not for deposits. The bank won't provide that level of service for a function that doesn't gain them money. Not until a bank branch is built on the island, which could be never with my randomization scheme, do the riffraff get interest on their earnings. Only the mayor can have a savings account, and that is only used for community funds. Tax payments are too fluid to do an automatic payment for. Most of the households are around the $3k/season mark, but one is around $8k/season and a couple are around $5k/season. But if they remodel in the middle of a rotation, their taxes are going to change. My sims get a few breaks...land is free (kaching), so they can buy whatever size lot they want wherever they want and don't have to worry about the cost, though as things are filling up they are restricted by what's open. They don't have to pay property taxes until the end of the first full season they've lived in their home. Sims who moved in on the first day or second day of the season do really well from the beginning, while those who move in on the fifth day are going to get hit before they have too many promotions (if they do get multiple promotions, I roll for career level).

My full-service massage parlor lot is a good example of keeping sims down and what they shouldn't be doing yet...it's a 2x2 lot where the house and biz takes up almost every available square (excepting a small walkway). Two stories, extravagantly decorated, and valued at a property value of a bit over 62k. Bonnie has the ticket massage & tickle biz going 24/7 at a rate of $20/hr and level 10. Shelbie is some low-level in the Adventure career and her husband Julius is a Senior Officer in the military. Four kids amongst the three of them are in private school, paying about $200-$300/day each. Property taxes are $6,200/season as the house is done being decorated. Mortgage is finally paid off, but they are bleeding money. Pretty soon, Bonnie's going to have to turn the whoring up and the kids are going to all have to get teen jobs.

As for the tax, I plan to have, when a community council type of self-governing organization forms in my jungle hood. Right now they are doing relatively fine each on their own, although the production center boss does act like a "mayor"  ::). She hires (used to hire) all the seven other survivors to dig, build (crafting benches), sew, and grow vegies. No new lots are opened or built, or furnitures bought, unless there are enough building materials (crafts) available. The treasure boxes that are digged up are the source for currency, which are channelled to everyone through wages.

Anyhow, in the past that I comtemplated and did implement the taxation system, I found it hard to gorge the family value if a business is involved. The business grows in value very quickly when it obtains stars (which is not really what the owner would have gotten back when the business is liquidated because the new owner will not enjoy the same draw, although in the game, they do). I also planned for different taxation rates for residence and business. But again, owning businesses complicates things. When I used the payer bills to pay tax, I set it for weekly, and changed the payment amount based on the family (and business value if applicable) value at the midnight of the tax day (payer bills are paid at 3 am). So my question for you Zazazu is, what's your system?

No one owns an off-lot biz yet. I kept wondering why no sims were rolling "Entrepreneur - Xtype" until I realized I hadn't added it to Random Stuff. Oops. I have a ready-to-own car lot and restaurant, but they are unplayed until someone buys the lot. Any lot that requires employees to function is dead in the water until owned. Commercial investment being what it is, they basically drained off the tax fund for no point whatsoever until someone deems to purchase them and half the lot cost goes back into the tax fund (half cost as an incentive to starting a business). That being said, I haven't decided what kind of tax they'll pay. Probably a flat fee-per-business each time they pay property taxes. Since the tax system has nothing to do with income, what level they are or how much they make wouldn't affect anything.

Property taxes on lots with home businesses don't differ from lots without businesses. Yeah, they potentially have the opportunity to make a lot of money. I negate a bit of this by not allowing your basic retail biz on residential lots (farm stands are fine) and not taking the money incentives, ever. I check the lot value and just transfer 10% to the mayor. I do this right when the season gauge fills full, or at 6:00 am if it fills in the middle of the night (don't want to mess with sleep patterns). Since that's when I rotate, it works. Load house, play for days, season bar fills, pay taxes, switch houses. Houses are numbered in the description and I have a couple of maps to help since they were placed randomly. One map is of the empty terrain with a numbering guide and street names. The other is gridded, with numbered and color-coded occupied spaces.

At least one person in every family knows the mayor. This is going to change when Penelope Bleu takes over...she was a marry-in who just happened to be a Senator already and would have the necessary skillpoints for mayordom right before the Mayor kicks it. So I'll have to transfer to household funds instead and have the mayor transfer it all in one hit into their savings account. No biggie. One more line on my spreadsheet...I already keep one for townie aging tracking. Every time it's time to start playing the mansion I roll the randomizer to see if a community lot will be built and of which type. Then, I build a lot within the account parameters and transfer/donate moneys out of the bank account. If I don't have enough to build a respectable lot, they get something crappy. Case-in-point: Atomic Arcade. I have no pics on me, but the thing is butt-ugly, tiny, and has almost nothing in it. After Six, the teen hangout, was built after I had skipped a round as far as building goes and is much nicer. Still kind of empty, but that's what later community improvement initiatives are for when land is too full to build anymore community lots and I'm occupied switching from single-family residences to duplexes and lowrises.

Another thing: residents can't just start off-lot businesses whenever they want to. They can only take over pre-built lots. Right now, if someone wanted to own 5 level ten businesses, they'd be screwed. This amuses me.

Yes, I tweaked some of the options in the TTAB for all of the versions I did (Cheap, Expensive, Laptop and Sunair Light) to reduce autonomous behavior that was seen in not just FreeTime but previous expansion packs. I didn't like seeing my Sims gravitate to one of Monique's versions and stand there for hours next to the Sim using the computer or trying to initiate a conversation with that said Sim. I think Twojeff's version only affected Maxis computers from FreeTime and earlier expansion packs, BUT I did have the non-autonomous version of his fix for the regular Maxis computers on community lots. I wasn't really into redesigning the existing community lots, and yes I am lazy when it comes to redesigning sometimes.  ;D

You can change the autonomy level of the options by putting "32" in the Autonomy field box in TTAB. 32 is considered as the acceptable level for autonomous behavior whereas 64 is considered as the acceptable level for non-autonomous behavior. I haven't touched the core functions of the Write Article functions (BHAVs) myself. I simply changed the autonomy level and unchecked some of the functions (Visitors, children and so forth for what would be perceived as appropriate or to keep within the Maxis idea - I.E. Children weren't allowed to go visit community lots on their own unless they were taken there by teen and older Sims. So why should they be able to write restaurant guides? Or even novels for that matter?) The Sunair Light version is somewhat different. Visitors can write articles on that one. If anyone else want to tweak the TTAB on other versions, all they have to do is tick the Visitors checkbox for those Write Article-related functions and change from 64 to 32 in the Autonomy field boxes in TTAB.

I simply prefer not having any of my Sims become stupid by going over to stand by the computer for hours and staring at other Sims using the computers. They really creeped me out.. I do hope you understand why these versions have no autonomy with reasonable limitations to allow only employees to study badges on business lots almost immediately when they're told by their bosses to go study them.

I really liked those ideas.. Vocational schools.. I can imagine new possibilities...

Thanks for sharing. I have extensive spreadsheets, and I thought I was anal. But color-coded maps?  ;D Show them, show them! //Jumping up and down.

I like your idea of all comm lots have to be built by the "town". I think I have pretty good limitation on building up since all building (and buying furniture) activities have to come from crafted goods. But that's another way to think about, and I like the sound of it.


Talking about this, I have sims do this to a sim that's sunbathing, or birdwatching, and never give up waiting and following around until I do something to drag one of them away. Really annoying. I had to disable sunbathing and birdwatching, just for this reason. Is there a fix somewhere?

I use Pescado's antivacationactions (I think that's who I got it from since it's sitting in my Pescado-MATY folder) and twojeff's noautonomousbeachactivities for those things. I used jase's teen_birdwatch_fix to enable teenagers to do birdwatching but it also curbs (in his words) obsessive/compulsive behavior in teens and up. I haven't had problems with Sims bothering other Sims when they do birdwatching.

Give those a whirl and see what happens. I don't know if jase still has that one up on his site, but worth a shot to see.

Lion, mind if I move this to the Podium? I hate hijacking threads, though I do it a lot. Plus, we haven't had a good open sim-playing-strategy discussion for awhile. Those are always good fodder.

Yes, I have all of the above. Also Inge's new hack (still in testing) to stop unwanted activities. What I need now is to stop the obsession with occupied sims (beach activities, birdwatch), then I won't need those activity squashing mods.

Will this be updated for AL?

This computer was originally a beta version for FreeTime. The complete version for FT is at Insiminator. I plan to upload the complete version of Monique's Cheap Computer in a little bit. I forgot about replacing the computer until someone reminded me.  ;D

Chaavik, your Free Time version (I DLed it from this thread) always worked perfectly in my game. Thanks for your work, I am glad that you plan to do an AL one as well.

I love this computer and I REALLY appreciate your work. I'm so glad to have this object still available for all EPs!

I wonder: how much of an effort is it to apply all those nice options to another custom computer?
When it comes to my experiences with modding TS2, I have to admit, the farthest I've got was editing some pie menu strings with SimPE.
How much more involved must one get to add those BHAV functions (I'm on the right track here, right?) to another custom computer?

If anyone could point me in the right direction for that I'd appreciate it very much! :)

And - please - keep going with those updates - thanx in advance by the way - I can barely wait for the AL version...

There are tons of FT-compatible versions at SimCave : http://www.simscave.com/ferris/index.php?topic=3264.0

I had not been contacted by the person who ran that thread about uploading the FT version of MQ's computer there. I suggest having the link removed because I do have a policy about both FT and AL versions of MQ's Computer/Laptop Variety being uploaded elsewhere.

BTW, the newly updated AL and FT versions are located at Insimenator. I moved my threads to Squinge's Mods where they will be updated by me and handled on a daily basis.

The old computer is no longer available or needed in this thread.

This is what I posted at simscave.
I didn't mean any disrespect to you Chaavik when I uploaded them. I didn't see where you said anything about not modifying the pcs and that's my fault. I did these firstly for myself and some friends since they options are very very limited and decided on a fly to upload them. I never thought it would be a problem since the original build of the computer was Monique's and you were nice enough to update them for us. I never took credit for your work. If it's that big of an issue i'll take them down when I get a chance.

In the readme that came with the computers I downloaded from inSim last week, the only restrictions you place on using them is that they are not to be redistributed on paysites or the exchange.

Perhaps that is the source of the confusion?  ???

Please let mommytotwo keep her files up. You also say in your readme that you don't take requests for new/different computer meshes and people obviously are looking for them.   :)

In the Good Old Days, lack of permission meant no permission.  Only punctuationless spotty youths would clone, copy or share someone else's work without permission.  What Chaavik did would be considered wrong in the first place (if Monique could not be contacted then she didn't give permission for her work to be used as a base), and what Mommytotwo did simply compounded that.   There seem to be some very different attitudes with the new set of players who joined the Sims world with Sims2, and it's not surprising these misunderstandings arise.

Oh noes, Sims players are butthurt about sharing and modifying cc again.  Waaaah wahhh, boo hoo.  Other gaming communities share and modify content freely without insisting on ownership, and those communities are better for it.  In our community, people are reluctant to share even abandoned content for fear that someone will get all bent out of shape over it.

Does anyone really wonder why so many new hair styles use Nouk textures and why Enlaya's textures get used on tons of skins and eyes?  Those creators are among the few who are widely known to have an open sharing policy.  We'd get far more variety if more creators could be as unselfish as they are.  Imagine how much better things would be if every hair mesher allowed others to modify their work -- I'd release some of the free hair meshes I've animated for my own use.  Ever see a texture that would be awesome if only it was on a different mesh?  You could have it and share it if only Sims creators would allow it.  We have a creator here at MATY who can't share face template replacements on MTS2 because some wanker accused her of "stealing" the facial geometry from his sim.  Use a magazine to photoskin a dress without knowing that another creator used the same source already?  OH NOES YOU ARE A THIEF!!   ::)

If Sims 2 players don't understand the rules we came up with in the Sims 1 days, good!

/rant
Chaavik, get over yourself.  Is your name Monique?  No?  Then what are you complaining about?

It would be nice if Sims content creators were happy to make their work an unconditional gift to the playing community.  But if they have not done so, it's still intellectual theft to simply treat it as if they had done.   A non-updated mod is still still as much copyright morally as an out-of-print book.   There is technically no obligation for the book to be updated to make it relevant to today's readers in order to maintain that copyright.

It was very convenient for us all that Chaavik took it upon herself to make the decision to copy part of someone else's work in order to work further on it, and I am not so morally constipated that I haven't enjoyed the results in my own game.  However, in this scenario, how to decide who is right and wrong in the context of the Sims community is an interesting conundrum.   The community ethics are still in the process of changing.

Which is kind of ridiculous, given how long the community has been a community. Personal opinion, since we seem to be dogpiling and I love a good free-for-all, is that this should have been taken to PM regardless. As for credit and sharing....well. My policy has been stated before. I don't give a crap what you do with my stuff. Openly mock it, say you made it, modify it and call me a doo-doo head, etc, etc, just don't put it on a paysite. But I'm weird. Regardless of what your policy is, you should clearly state it both on the site/thread you post on, as well as in the RTFM if applicable. Don't get all butthurt if someone doesn't psychically know what you want. Chaavik has now clearly stated her(?) policy at Insim, so hopefully future misunderstandings won't occur.

Yes, things get muddy when you're already modifying the work of someone you were incapable of getting permission from. However, clear policy from someone who isn't charging for their mod (which to me voids their rights as they are going against the EULA by charging) should always be heeded, to the best of your ability.

Hell, look at how Spore does it -- if you use someone else's building or vehicle, and just recolor it to your liking, it's sent back up to the Sporepedia as your creation.  Which I think is silly, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this type of setup turn up in other games (Sims 3, maybe, anyone?).

I have to say something here after I've read the comments in this thread since the last post I made recently.

Monique has been and still is MIA from the Sims 2 community, and the lack of a policy to accompany her work did not imply she has or has NOT given permission for her work to be improved upon with new features and fixes to allow players to continue enjoying the new features and fixes on her work that had been a very important contribution to the community. I waited a long while to see if she would update her work for FT and double-checked to see if she has any restrictions or policies in place to dictate how she wanted her work to be redistributed or recolored. When I started working on my own version(s) of her work(s) to add two new badges originally, I intended for this to be my own work and had no plans to release the newly updated work. I came across a snag in SimPE and posted the issue in the forums at SimPE's site, I had people ask if I intend to release the newly updated work or not. I had people tell me how sorely they miss not having these computers for FT and then AL. What do I do? I uploaded them for people to enjoy with their FT and AL EPs. With a policy to be contacted for permission to upload anywhere else beside the site I uploaded to and to be contacted about any improvements to the work I've done as well to Monique's work. The reason I have one for all of the versions I worked and improved upon is because if people download the adaptations of the work I've done from other sites, and if I get contacted about some botched job with the computer(s) based on the features and fixes I added, then who do I know to contact to relay the issues to? If Zizismommy contacted me beforehand for permission to upload her version of the work I've done in addition to the computer meshes and textures she did, THEN I would know who to contact if someone came to my threads at Insim with an issue thinking I was the one who released the computer that person downloaded to use.

The credit had been given to Monique, the explanation had been given to why the computers were updated, and the effort to reach her did not succeed. You know, I would've asked her for permission to update her computers IF she was still in the community, but she hasn't been heard from since October 2007. No one had been able to reach her for quite a bit of time. No emails, no posts, no nothing. There was no way I could contact her if no one else had been able to either.

If you want to discuss intellectual rights, you are welcome to discuss them all you want. I try not to get myself involved with these issues regarding people's mods/creations, intellectual rights, legal ownership of the digital works using the tools provided by Maxis-then-Eaxis and God Knows What Else. I don't profit from any of the work I do money-wise.

I go to your mod/creation on your thread/site to download something I can enjoy in my game and only my game, and why have I chosen your mod/creation over someone else's mod/creation is because I prefer your mod/creation to someone else's for the way I play my game. If I know you're actively involved in the community and actively updating your mods/creations and if I have issues with or ideas for your mods/creations, I try to find a way to contact you for help or questions whether they be in forums on the sites you host or frequent or in PMs to the sites I think you're on more than other sites.

I did everything I could to ensure I gave Takasim2005 (for his laptop after I had his permission via private email), Monique and happygolucky (recolors) the proper credit for their works, the links to their original threads, the statements about their works and the support I try to provide not only for her work but mine as well. I tried to at least check her threads to see if she returned or not. The day she returns will be the day I ask her for permission to continue hosting the updated computers for future generations of players to enjoy if they choose not to play Sims 3. If she preferred not for me to continue hosting them, then I will take them off the site where I am hosting them at.

I would have been what you would describe as a new generation of Sims 2 players if I did NOT give Takasim2005, Monique and happygolucky credit for their works, claimed the work as wholly my own work and uploaded my work to a pay site so I could make a bit of money myself.

But I am not that Sims 2 player.

Bastdawn, are you Monique's representative? Do you know when she'll be back or not? Do you know some special way to get in touch with her? If you answer no to all of the questions, then don't tell me to get over this crap. Don't tell me how I should conduct myself. I don't jump all over you with sophomoric comments like what you've said in your post. How I want to do the updates and new features on Monique's original works and how I want to be acknowledged/contacted/credited for what I've done is is my own business, not yours.

No, I don't know Monique.  I also see no real difference between what you've done and what was posted at Sims Cave, although I agree that sending people to you for tech support was pretty stupid.  If she had taken over that aspect, would you still be upset?