hi map, i would be happy to see you in our chat, so maybe we could discuss this directly (irc chat link on main page)
[edit]i thought about it and think that because your post has many interesting aspects to discuss to move it to an extra thread[/edit]

DOCa Cola

I will talk about the installer and leave the question about the models and textures to optec.

Yea, the question about updates. The thing is, we thought fleet operations as a multiplayer mod and to reach the highest level of compatibility the betas until today are provided as full packages only. of course i heard of updates. i also considered this. but the probability of incompatibilities especially in fleet operations is high as some files are dynamicly switched during the game and an upgrade may not be able to update the file then.
The other thing is that too many files were changed. you remember version 1.0 and v 1.1 right?
There were actually the smallest differences between those two versions. but and that was mainly my mistake because i didn't knew there was an 1.0 and 1.1 patched version which adressed the files wrong so only 50% of all players had the right files copied in their fleet operations directory so it was impossible to upgrade.
Why was there never an 1.1 to 2.0 update

Now the question why i decided to use an extra installer for fleet operations and not the build in one and then an extra one. My idea was to create an installer which could provide best compatibility (some ppl may not have much experience with mods so they may have an incompatible version or buggy version after they have installed a mod with the armada 2 build in installer + an extra mod installer).
The other idea with a complete own installer which self copies required files of the cd was to provide a very easy and especially fast installation (no 2 setups which require your input 2 times). The only people who are suffering from this solution are those who haven't bought armada 2 actually but get a ripped version off somewhere from a p2p network.  

fleet ops is the best and always will be  

Thankyou for the reply Doca. Optec. If your models use 512*512 textures why do the images that are posted look like the textures are lower quality?? I've recently finished an intrepid model for my own project and compared to your own the textures on mine (used from an SFC3 source) which are 512*512 are of finer detail.

I understand the need for as much compatibility as possible but have you considered the possibility of some sort of news letter which people who want the mod MUST subscribe to:

1) It'll give you the same, or possibly better control over who's playing with the mod.
2) Players who use this method will definately be up to date and the compatibility issues will be fine.

Okay, so on the remarks of update downloads only, this is easier than you think. If your able to "work around" the main armada exectuable then perhaps theres a way to work around creating a "dynamic" update. The utility package I use allows for updates of all kinds including internet installation so perhaps you migh tbe able to come up with something the same.

Hmmmm, well I'll reserve any further judgement until a much later beta is released (might be time to call in on another review).

The Avalon class in that screenshot is bloody awesome!