Yes it's possible to decrapify both .dbc and merged packages.
The newer versions of Jfade's tool support .dbc --click at the top "Choose file types" and select the types you would like to include.

That did the trick, works like a charm.

I'm typing "addlotsize 30x40" and getting this popup "syntax error, Invalid or no lot size specified" .Tried with different sizes, is my format wrong?

Twallan has commented in his forum threads that his supercomputer works alongside AM with no problems.
I've been using them together for months with no obvious issues.
Quote from TSC supercomputer thread:
"COMPATIBILITY

This mod should e fully compatible with any other mod (XML, scripting, or core)."

@Claeric: I haven't updated/patched or installed EP2 yet and I most certainly don't have access to the SavedSims bin when using editsim BUT I can save to it which is better than nothing. Access to the bin would be convenient.
I sometimes just randomize my sim in CAS from editsim until I have something I feel I can work with. I've seen some horrendous puddings on randomize, it amuses me.

Thanks for the confirmation on that command, it wasn't clear enough in my mind to attempt it on my game.
I remember that movie was very creepy.
They get you when you sleep. (Go Donald.)

I'd like to see some eventual development about NPC spawn rules such as setting the max number of them in your town and having them generate from the custom sims bin but until then, I will use bodysnatch to maintain order.
At least I can use the locked door features to seclude the live-in maids and babysitters from my household by creating maid chambers and staff kitchens. We've come a long ways since the game launched about a year ago.

Now that fish spawners can function in pools and we know about these multiple effect fog emitters, we can also create some excellent additions to indoor/outdoor gardens. I have a botanical garden under the huge glass dome that is going to benefit immensely from this knowledge. Babies can also be placed in the bottom of pools, as I learned quite by accident during a recent renovation, they breathe underwater!

I'm looking forward to placing fireflies in my park lots and picnic areas, thanks for the info.

Yeah I have mutant spawn with very dark skin, bright blue eyes and white hair as a general rule.
They all seem to be swimming in the shallow end of the gene pool but what's worse is that they marry my custom sims behind my back.
I've been pulling them into CAS with editsim in roll-turn but it's time consuming. How exactly does the body-snatch command work? Do I need to type bodysnatch and then the name of the target sim while playing the sim intended for replacement?

Twallan has a mod called Decensor that is reportedly working with EP2.

Be patient. Brat.

@bowrain: it can't hurt to block them, just remember what you blocked if you ever need to use the launcher for any reason. It is possible that current or future features require a connect of sorts to validate processes, I'd even say  it's likely.

@IAmTheRad: thanks for the snippet--I actually don't mind what info I can decypher from those strings, the problem is that, like you, I believe they may be sending other stuff and sharing with partners. This ad thing means they intend to collect and build marketing databases to push sales for the various demographic targets. In short, I smell a rat.

@Sparkles: Oh I see, you use the launcher to start the game. Pescado taught me not to do so from the posts on this forum, hence I use the .exe file from the game (TS3EP02.exe for example-- is that the correct name? I am sitting at a different computer) and pin it to my start menu for easy access. I edit those types of .exe files to get my computer to alot them more than 2GB of memory, a technique I learned from posts on this forum. You can also use 3Booter from here: http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15585.0.html but I'm not aware if it's working with Ambitions at this time.

Also I found an interesting post on demonoid which I am going to paste to you in msg as a reference.
It has typos and statements I don't agree with so I am not going to post in the threads.

@Sparkles: ah yeah- I do recall that happening to me for WA with a legit copy. I think I found a no-disc mod on the web at the time. Checking torrent comment posts now and will report back if I find anything good.

I haven't ventured into patching or EP2 waters yet. I'm reading, watching and asking questions to be prepared when the time comes.
When WA was released I jumped the gun and was very sorry that I did because all my game saves were unplayable. My current town is wonderful and stuffed with beauty and CC which makes it important for me to be cautious about how to proceed with updates.

If you need a disc-check bypass I think it's in the test file.

http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/ts3/test/

Problems have been reported about the game refuting AM's compatibility with the current patch. Pescado is working on it.
You're welcome to try it and give feedback. ( I would only attempt to try it on a new game until the kinks are ironed out)

@Sablesasha: I use Poweriso on Vista and XP and virtually mount the disc to save my drive from wear and tear.

• Just install and restart the computer. Left click the .iso and set the number of drives to 1 or more from the context menu ---consequently the option to Mount to drive: x  (a letter will now be assigned) will appear in the same menu. The drive and the virtually mounted disc will now appear under the "my computer" interface alongside your regular DVD or CD drive.

You can also browse and retrieve your game disc files this way, for example when trying to find the original .ini or .exe files to restore installed game files to original state before patching.

Interesting research. I was going to ask if that address could be added to peerblock but I don't run peerblock when I play.
 I took all connectivity options away for anything that appears EA in my firewall.
I used to close my firewall to free up ram and cpu but I won't to that anymore.
Could the tracking and sending be traced back to a service that I could disable in Vista?

If anyone does find the contents of one of these transmissions, pls do share the findings with us.

@ Sparkles: Those files depicted inside your unzipped folder are another sequence of compressed files. Just left click the first one ending in 001 and extract it to your folder of choice for your .iso to appear.

Some time ago when I installed Adobe Air for the EA launcher functions, my spidersenses tingled about why they needed to incorporate such a technology. Adobe is pretty vocal about its stance and policy on piracy and their flash player has pushed the envelope on unethical data-collection in my opinion.

Take for example:
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/prevention.html

I keep thinking it's a wooden horse for sure. Time will tell eh?

I hope it allows cookie cutter stencil type cutouts for customized inlayed flooring, that would be goodness.
@Simius: Check your robot for masochist or deeply depressed traits and keep him away from the microwave.

Is it possible to run mods from both file locations at once, like in two batches for example?
I would love to see the icon and be able to delete clothing and bad hair (!) in CAS  (finnaallyyyy--bye bye skin colored mermaid tail from hell)
but I don't really care to have the screen warnings at startup for AM and xml mods.

I used the FTP link someone posted in this forum and it took about 2.5 hours from start to finish.

For those considering torrrents, here are some tips:

-It's the first days the game is released so it's quite normal that the seeder/ leecher ratio is coocoo. Because it's such a huge file, many people with limited bandwith are gonna hit and run, it sucks but that's just the way public trackers work. You can use a private tracker for better seeder/leecher ratios.
-There is a good FAQ on the uttorent website for setting up a client to maximize speeds. Things like port-forwarding, firewall settings and router setup can have a huge impact on your speeds. If you force encryption, allow incoming legacy connections to be uncrypted on slow torrents.
I just skimmed through this article which is updated from march of this year:
http://www.bootstrike.com/Articles/BitTorrentGuide/
If you are a noob and/or you are running the application's default settings for torrents, chances are they can be improved by following those steps.
***
If all else fails and you realize your internet speed just plain sucks, you can look into calling your ISP and requesting a temporary on demand increase in speed.

For a few bucks I can increase my speed significantly for 24hours by calling customer service and just get billed for it later. I'm not in the US though but it may be worth a try for some of you.

On a precautions note, VPN trials are great to cover your tracks when downloading such a popular file. Many companies offer trials for their pay service but you may also choose to use OpenVPN (free but slows down the connection for many).

Is it a cheat that comes with the patch or the update you think?
Are there any other new cheats that you have come across in your musings?

THAT is great to read! I wonder if that would bypass those damn nag-screens that Pescado and some testers are reporting when starting up Ambitions since the patching?  Did you get any unusual nags about mods? Have you tried the AM tester version that's floating around?
I don't mind keeping my framework and current  file configuration if it means that things still run smoothly. Can anyone state some benefits associated with the new folder setup that EA is proposing?

I just remembered that I have the EA multi key keygen from a torrent site. Saw it mentioned in another thread although I haven't tried it yet myself.

I can see why that could be confusing because you can SAVE SIM TO BIN from editsim command but as far as I can tell you cannot access the actual bin.
Would be really great for swapping sims if you could access that sim.
I can relate to your annoyance with the EA puddingface sims as NPC members in your town.
I was thinking it would be handy to populate my family bin with sims from my SavedSims file but the family bin requires .package whereas the SavedSim folder has .sim files.
Does anyone know a way to convert .sim to .package? If I understand correctly then sims moved into our games would henceforth be the custom ones and not the default EA sims but does this include NPC staff spawned ingame and tourists?