Welll, duh...obviously at 3 am I am not the brightest bulb in the box. I actually thought about cache file deletion as a possible solution after I went to bed but figured I'd wait til I got up to try it. Stupid me, cause deleting the cache is always the first thing I do when *2* quits working! But actually I'm so disgusted with *3* I'm tempted to delete it from my system, use the disk as a frisbee for my dog to chase, and go back to playing the "sane and sensible" (she says with tongue planted firmly in cheek) version *2*.

Suddenly started getting this message when trying to start game:

I use a no disk crack, but I have no hacks/mods at all installed and very little CC. I started getting this when trying to uninstall some CC I didn't like with the launcher (it had been installed through the launcher).
Does anyone have explanation or remedy? I would appreciate any help.

I know it is already next year in other parts of the world, but I had problems with my uploads all day today. So I'm late, ya wanna make somethin' of it? LOL I made it into two different dorm versions. Yes the double dorm rooms actually work just fine, though if you want the furnishings to always show up you have to make certain both roommates are playable. Truthfully, I don't really like either of these two very much. Both also have CC in various amounts.

Link to slideshow: http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/Bungalow%20Dorm/?albumview=slideshow
Download link: http://www.box.net/shared/r8iyg9kfh6

Link to slideshow: http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/Teen%20Time%20Dorm/?albumview=slideshow
Download link: http://www.box.net/shared/gq384g4r3v

I think Teenage Turf is a major ugly piece of phail shit. I'm not too concerned whether any one else agrees or not. I don't think the lot is flat though.

Twoflower, I like this a lot. It's original and innovative. Also, by sticking with it being residential, it is smaller and more usable for the average player's game. As much as I am awed and impressed by Jorganza's and Erry's gorgeous and ornate productions, I think they are probably too "heavy" for most players to actually use in game. Even my PC with high gigs of RAM somewhat moans, groans, clanks and complains under them.

Erry, I can only gasp in awestruck amazement. I suppose the fact that this required going no less than four levels high inspired the grandiose and extravagant flair both you and Jorganza have achieved with your creations. They make mine look pretty pitiful by comparison. Of course, both of you went with turning it into a type of community lot while I stayed with keeping it residential and I think you can better get away with ostentatiousness…er…ostentatiousity?... in a community lot. (Yes I know those are not "real" words but they seemed to fit the idea I was trying to convey.)

OK here we go with my remake. Somehow the word Palace just locked in my head (though the original lot certainly met none of the "Palace" criteria IMHO) and I couldn't dislodge it. I had to transform it into something at least similar to a Palace. Actually, until just recently I for some unknown reason had always misread Palace as Place, which truthfully had permitted my imagination more freedom in my remodels. It's damned frustrating and difficult when your imagination restricts you to one narrow idea! Also, as a "Watervista" it had to remain overlooking the water in some fashion, so I couldn't make it a "Castle on a hill" so to speak. There is a sort of "guest room" on the second floor, but no bathroom. The "guest facilities" are located in the basement. This is intentional to avoid guests overstaying their welcome. They'll soon get tired of having to trek three floors down and circumnavigate the pool to have a middle of the night pee. There are otherwise 3 bedrooms, and two baths. The Master suite on the top floor also has a large walk-in closet.


Slideshow: http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/Watervista%20Palace/?albumview=slideshow
Download: http://www.box.net/shared/sydyfvdkcv

It's the "hidden" lot right at the top of the lake. You need one of the camera edits to see the game to the edges to "find" it. There are a number of the camera edits available on MTS. I actually forget which one I am currently using.

Why can't you at least post pics? Photobucket has free accounts you could use for that purpose. I'm afraid we can not just take your word for your remake's wonderful properties without at least some visual confirmation.

WOW! Amazing! That's all I can say. It sure doesn't look like the same building. I'd have never recognized it, way to go Jorganza!

OK, I'll eat crow now. Well not totally, I won't retract my thesaurus rant, but I actually got curious enough to google Baba Yaga and guess what. I remembered briefly touching on that tale in one of my Folklore classes years ago at University of Oregon. I had forgotten because we didn't dwell much on Slavic folklore; the concentration was more focused on English, Irish, Welsh and Scots lore. As soon as I read the bit about the hut on chicken legs though it reminded me that I had heard of Baba Yaga way back then (nearly 30 years ago). If you hadn't pissed me off, I'd actually have looked it up before I wrote my rant. I'd still have written it, just toned down a notch or two.

I'm calm, I'm calm. LOL

So who the fuck is Baba Yaga? Not that I really give a fuck. How does it make me an ignorant buffoon not to know this idiotic piece of Maxis phail shit is supposed to be the hut of some fucker I've never heard of, don't give a fucking hairy rat's ass about, and wouldn't give a flying fuck if I never heard of? Just because you know an inconsequential piece of trivia shit that I don't, does not make me an ignorant buffoon, but you calling me that makes you an ignorant, supercilious, asshole. I doubtless know a lot of useless trivia shit that you never fucking dreamed of, but I wouldn't call you an ignorant buffoon for not knowing it. A conceited, vain, egocentric, bigheaded, arrogant, egotistical, condescending, pompous, pretentious, narcissistic, self-important, full of yourself, motherfucker you may be, but not an ignorant buffoon. And yes, I did make use of my thesaurus in order to be certain I didn't omit any vital words in the assessment of your stellar qualities.

I'm sorry, I don't have any game starter. It looked more complex than I wanted to deal with, and also since this is a Belladonna Lot I could not have started with anything earlier than AL and M&G is the only thing after AL anyway. I do have all of both the EPs and the SPs installed, so I guess if you don't have them, maybe someone with any game could maybe build a Base compatible version or each person could try recreating their own version. I don't think we should be nitpicky if it isn't an exact replica.

I went out on a limb last month and stripped out all my downloads just to see if I could actually build something reasonably decent without using them. I was shocked that I had so little problem in actually doing so. Well, I guess they were pretty good; I liked them at least. LOL

I'll go ahead with this for November then.
Watervista Palace has annoyed me ever since I "found" this "hidden bonus lot" in Belladonna Cove. It has no visible support, hanging in the air like some huge tree house wannabe with no entry doors and almost no windows. My bonus rule would be to leave hills and trees in lot landscaping (amazingly the lot edges are already flat).




I just realized that from this view it looks like a giant alien creature. The legs are the two staircases and the eyes are the two windows. LOL



Amazingly, the lot edges are already flat. Lot packaged and attached here, for anyone who needs a copy.

Rules (cut and pasted from last month):

1. No CC (or, if CC is used, say what has been included and also provide a second "cleaned" download).  Please indicate expansion and stuff packs so people who wish to download your lot know what to expect.  Pictures are required, either available for download, on a slideshow, or posted in this thread.

2. By entering this challenge, you agree to take constructive criticism.  If you wish to judge someone else's entry, you should be respectful but honest.

3. Your lot does not have to be Awesomespec, although it is encouraged.

4. You may move internal walls and add external walls but you may NOT move original external walls.

5. Lots may be furnished, unfurnished, or partially furnished.  You can even upload both furnished and unfurnished versions.

Monthly rules:

6. Bonus points if you can keep the hills and trees in place in the landscaping.
Open to suggestions for other bonus rules.

http://www.box.net/shared/udc0h9rmlq

Watervista Palace has annoyed me ever since I "found" this "hidden bonus lot" in Belladonna Cove. It has no visible support, hanging in the air like some huge treehouse wannabe with no entry doors and almost no windows. My bonus rule would be to leave hills and trees in lot landscaping (amazingly the lot edges are already flat).







http://www.box.net/shared/udc0h9rmlq

It's November 5th (6th already on the other side of the globe) and no one has suggested or posted a new house. I would post something, but none of my choices have flat lots and I can't flatten them. Is this thread now dead, died, deceased?

Yes, I know it is now November 1 on the other side of the world, but we still have 2 1/2 hours to go here.  
At first glance this (Bon-Bon Villa Townhomes) might look pretty much the same as The CandyFloss one insofar as layout goes, but there are some significant differences. In the Bon-Bon there are two good size bedrooms in each apartment, each with its own bath. Each apartment also has a private front and back garden as well as a private basement recroom. The apartments are also staggered rather than in a straight line. There is a communal play ground at one side of the lot. This is just something I wanted to try out, and I think it came out pretty well, though it definitely would have worked better on a wider and deeper lot.
There is just a tiny bit of CC in this, but very little. Just Numinor's slot thingy, Menaceman's light fix, and Silent Lucidity's Walk Through Blocks is all I can think of.



Slideshow:
http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/Bon-Bon%20Villa%20Townhomes/?albumview=slideshow
Download:
http://www.box.net/shared/gddi69xbgk

This is just really an expansion and completion (I added the missing front windows) of The CandyFloss Rowhouses. I would have attached it there, but I was afraid it would make the post too long. The CottonCandy Townhouses (as I call this version) are expanded to include a third floor Master Suite and the former Master Bedroom is now a children's room with the connecting door to the Nursery removed. The former single child's room can now be either a guest room or remain as a child or teen's room. Also, the parents no longer have to share that tiny bathroom with their offspring! I am posting only pictures showing the major changes.

Slideshow:
http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/The%20CottonCandy%20Townhouses/?albumview=slideshow

Download (No CC):
http://www.box.net/shared/ei2n8tyn7z

So, I decided to quickly try a different approach to this and see what I could do with using absolutely no CC at all.
I know others have done the RowHouse thing this month, but this was a personal challenge to myself to make something I would really like using only Maxis EP and SP stuff without even any recolors. I thought if I could do it why can't they?
I will admit to succumbing to temptation of using CC in two things shown in the pictures, the nursery curtains and the bedmatching rugs, but those are not critical to the design and easily removed (which I did do for the upload). Oh yes, also for playtesting purposes, I used the Simlogical StayThings and Transport shrubs as well as Numinor's slot thingy and Menaceman's light fix, all of which were still installed when the pictures were taken.
I have no idea if this meets Awesome Specs, but apartments have only one desk, contain a nursery, and have toilet facilities on both levels.
I am also uploading the version with the little bit of CC still in it in case anyone wants it that way.
So with no further ado, I present The CandyFloss Rowhouses; 2 bedroom (+ Nursery), 1 1/2 bath apartments; with large communal basement recreation area.





























Slideshow:
http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/The%20CandyFloss%20Rowhouses/?albumview=slideshow

Downloads:
As pictured (Minimal CC)- http://www.box.net/shared/861nhhr5xo
No CC at all version- http://www.box.net/shared/vr13e3vze5

*Edit for spelling and better description. At 4AM I was not at my sharpest. Yeah, definitely not the sharpest tack in the box at 4AM, as I now see that I forgot to put in all the windows in the front!

OK, here we go. Finally! Mine this time has a very tropical theme. It is 4 bedrooms, 3 & 1/2 baths spanning three floors which includes a Master Suite in the walkout basement. The walkout basement opens directly onto a patio in the sunken back garden. I don't know if the CC I used is actually technically CC since it is pulled and adapted from Castaway Stories (and Life Stories too, I think), so it is originally Maxis produced, but I used it to achieve the true tropical effect I was going for. The "dining room" is actually an open verandah overlooking the back garden. Even in Florida (most of it anyway) an open air dining room would not be feasible a good part of the year, but I think it would be fine in the Carribean islands, Hawaii, or Mexico. It's probably too much for slower machines to handle. Here are pictures:





























Slideshow:
http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/Chobee%20Tropicana/?albumview=slideshow

Download:
http://www.box.net/shared/x1xd179dlp

I got sidetracked by a makeover challenge/contest I discovered over at Colour Sims (Tweak their Crib http://www.coloursims.missingstudios.com/index.php?topic=276.0). It's a bit different than this one, but same principle; take a Maxis made atrocity and make it into something usable that you like.

I think you do actually have to register. I seem to recall I registered before I could use it.

I like both. Download links please?

I've got one nearly done, but both ciane and Bliss kinda ninja'd me as did Ilikecoffee on my first idea! I guess I shouldn't be surprised since the front kinda screams for being "symetricalized" (I know that's not a real word but it's the only one that fits the needed discription).

Whazup? Are you trying to usurp Emma's position in Pes's affections?

That's just the opposite of me and my question last month. I like foundations and raised mine onto one. One reason I prefer a foundation is you have to have one to make "wrap-around" porches, like you see on older houses (Cracker style) here in the south. Another reason is it allows for expansion down rather than out or up.