J.E.H. // Way of Installation/ Setup [EN]

This manual is intended to rookies who wants to make first experiences with VGAP 4.0 Beta. My installation guide should help newbies to install planets in the right way; I describe which files you need and where you can download them.

1.)
First install the basic version.

You can download it here on Tim Wissemans website. Decompress the file v4beta14.exe to a temporary directory after the download. Now run "Setup.exe" and follow the instructions.

2.)
Now install the "updatefiles"
Install the " update files " after installation.

Those can be downloaded in my download area. Please look at the date of the basic version on Tims website and then downloaded all races -, host -, masters -, VCR -, planets.exe updates. Don´t foget to look at the third party races (in the menu of the website under " races ").

The installation of these updates takes place by unpacking all files and overwriting the existing files with the new ones. I think the best way to do this is to copy the update files in the planets-directory (e.g. C:\Planets). Then unpacked them with a doubleclick on the respective file name (e.g. host61e.exe). The decompression runs in the DOS window, whereby you are inquired in each case whether you want the existing file to overwrite Type in "Yes" in every case. If you unpacked/updated the file close the DOS window and delete the original file (e.g. host61e.exe) in the planets main directory; otherwise too much ballast accumulates itself.

You should pay attention to the SUBDIRECTORIES:

The race updates consists of 2 files which have to be copied in the right directory. Simply overwrite the existing ones . The race files are called e.g. Race106.rce, the ship files e.g. S106.spk. (hint: sort the files to the extensions in the Windows Explorer (* rce and * spk - files) then move the *rce to the subdirectory "race" and the *.spk to the "ship" subdirectory.

3.)
It is recommended to install also some tools to still increase the learning and overview effects. With these tools you can make simulations of fights and find out what resources you need to build up a fleet. This is described in the following.

Diplomat is a combat simulator of Paul Honigman, with whom independently of a current game you can test things like fights between ships with armament x, y, z against opponents. At the end you see who has won your special fights. Thus you learn to estimate the strengths and the weaknesses of the different weapons and ships. Furthermore thereby the ground combat can be simulated.
Download Diplomat on this site of Paul Honigman Website
Pay attention that you usually have to download and install a basic version and an update ! The installation is "setup" guided. You have to install it into the planets main direcotry (e.g. C:\planets). In addtion to that there will be created a program group.

ShipCalculator is a tool, written by Andreas Benne (sovplhost@gmx.de), with which you can test how much MegaCredits, raw materials, Ord (ammunition), repair units, ...- you need in order to build up a special fleet or only one ship. If you want to build a few ships the program summarize what you need for the hole fleet. There is further a tax calculator nserted. The Download is made by this page of the Saarland Outpost. The installation takes place via unpacking the file in the Planets general directory. No program icon will be created. You can possibly therefore set a link to your desktop.

Now you are ready to play the game. Don´t forget that a newbie has much more to learn and to read therefore than a player with more experience. An here you can find out what you have to read/ learn and where you can find manuals and in which order you should read the recources in my opinion.

Manual for installation of V4.0 BETA