BETTER OBLIVION SORTING SOFTWARE

Past Threads:

Spoiler

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1149244
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1144393
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1138211
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1126021
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1119720
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1117093
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1111761
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1107788
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1101592
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1096264
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1092188
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1088796
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1085156
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1081475
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1074965
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1070108
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1063917
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1058463

A simple "one-click" program for users to quickly optimize and avoid detrimental conflicts in their oblivion mod load-order.

Features:

• Correctly positions over 11,000 mods and counting, including all the mod files found in such popular mods as FCOM, OOO, MMM, Better Cities, Open Cities, Race Balancing Project and many other large mods.
  
• Checks all the mod files used in an 'FCOM Convergence' installation, including partial or complete installations of OOO, MMM, Fran's, Oblivion WarCry, Bob's Armory, Loth's Blunt Weapons for NPCs, Cobl, Tamriel Travellers, Exnem's Runeskulls and more.
  
• Detects common FCOM installation mistakes and warns the user about them.
  
• Differentiates between FCOM and non-FCOM setups.
  
• Provides Wrye Bash Bash Tag suggestions that are automatically applied by Wrye Bash.
  
• Provides useful load order notes for many mods.
  
• Displays the version number of mods when it is available.
  
• Sorts mod files ghosted by Wrye Bash.
  
• Is mostly right (most of the time)!
  
• Allows easy user customisation of mod positions and the messages provided.
  
• Is under constant development and improvement by a team of modders and Oblivion experts.

Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS) will reorder your mods to their correct positions (as listed in the masterlist.txt database file), putting any mods it doesn't recognise after them, in the same order as they were before BOSS was run.

BOSS is designed to assist in the installation and usage of mods, especially more complex mods such as FCOM and MMM, and help mod users avoid serious conflicts. It is not a complete solution to load ordering issues, as there are far more mods out there (estimated at about 30,000) than BOSS knows about. To properly place mods BOSS doesn't know about, a good working knowledge of Oblivion mod load ordering is still necessary, for which some research and documentation reading will go a long way.

REQUIREMENTS:

Windows (or Wine), Oblivion (or Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas or Nehrim), some mods.


DOWNLOADS:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516

There are no official mirrors at this time.


INSTALLATION AND USE:

1. If you have Wrye Bash, make sure the "Lock Times" function is deactivated.

2. If upgrading from an earlier version of BOSS, delete your BOSS.bat, modlist.txt, modlist.old, masterlist.txt and BOSSlog.txt files in your Data folder. If you have an edited masterlist, make sure to keep a backup so that your edits are not lost (and preferably copy your edits out in to the new userlist format).

3. Unzip the BOSS.zip to your ..\Oblivion\Data folder, so that BOSS.exe is in the same folder as your mods.

4. Run the "BOSS - Update Masterlist.bat" file to get the latest masterlist from the Internet and sort your mods.

5. When running BOSS normally, do so from the BOSS.exe, but remember to run the "BOSS - Update Masterlist.bat" regularly to ensure you have a recent masterlist.

Once BOSS has finished running, the output will be displayed automatically. Read any notes, FCOM installation errors if applicable, and make any relevant changes that are suggested by them. Wrye Bash will automatically import and apply Bash Tag suggestions from BOSS. Some Bash Tag suggestions can come with conditions and notes that require human intervention though, so read the suggestions makes thoroughly and adjust tags by hand in Wrye Bash if necessary.

You will need to reorder "unknown" mods by hand using OBMM or Wrye Bash.

You can update your masterlist to the latest version by running the "BOSS - Update Masterlist.bat" file. This will replace your copy with the latest available online, and then run BOSS as normal using the updated masterlist. If you have an edited masterlist, using this updater will cause you to lose all your edits.


UNINSTALLATION:

Delete BOSS.exe, "BOSS - Update Masterlist.bat", "BOSS - Undo Last Run.bat" and, if BOSS has been run, the BOSS folder in your ..\Oblivion\Data folder.


TROUBLESHOOTING:


FURTHER DETAILS:

Command Line Arguments

BOSS has a few command-line arguments. The syntax is:

BOSS [--update | -u] [--help | -h] [--disable-version-parse | -V-] [--revert-level | -r] [level] [--silent-mode | -s]

-h, --help:

This prints a short description of BOSS and some information on the function of the command line arguments.

-u, --update:

If this switch is used, BOSS will automatically update the local copy of the masterlist using the latest version on the Google Code repository, and then sort your mods. Since this replaces your current masterlist, don't run this if you have an edited copy and wish to keep the changes. The "BOSS - Update Masterlist.bat" runs BOSS with this switch.

-V-, --disable-version-parse:

Disables the parsing of each mod's description to extract the author's version information, so it is not printed alongside other data in the generated BOSSlog.html. This can be used if the version parsing is not working properly for some of your mods, and you wish to remove the version notes.

-r level, --revert-level level:

Sets BOSS to undo its changes by reverting back the number of levels given by level to the load order at that point. level can take values of 1 or 2. A value of 1 will restore the load order to that stored in modlist.txt. A value of 2 will restore the load order to that stored in modlist.old. If the modlist that you are reverting to does not exist, BOSS will cancel the undo and display an error message. The modlist files are not updated when BOSS is run with this parameter.

-s, --silent-mode:

if this switch is used BOSS doesn't automatically launch the log when it finishes.


BOSS Changes and Files

The only changes BOSS makes to your Oblivion install are to re-date the .esp and .esm files in your Data folder, to create a BOSS folder there, and create a few text files in that BOSS folder. Oblivion.esm is never touched, and all dates are derived from it.

The text files that are used and created by BOSS are all found in the ..\Oblivion\Data\BOSS folder, and they are:

• masterlist.txt - This is the master list of mods that BOSS recognises, listing them in order and which includes notes attached to them. It is the most frequently updated component of BOSS, receiving updates almost every day.
  
• BOSSlog.html - This log is where the output that BOSS generates and displays once the program ends is stored. It is replaced every time you run BOSS. You can view it in any web browser.
  
• modlist.txt - This file contains the list of your mods in the order they were before you last ran BOSS, which can be used to undo changes to your load order.
  
• modlist.old - This file contains the contents of your modlist.txt before you last ran BOSS, providing a second level of undo for load order changes.
  
• userlist.txt - This file contains your custom rules to be implemented by the User Rules feature.

Undoing Changes
To undo the changes BOSS makes to your load order, you can use the included "BOSS - Undo Last Run.bat" file. The .bat file will, by default, revert to the load order before the last run of BOSS, as stored in modlist.txt. If you want to revert back to the load order before that, as stored in modlist.old, you will need to edit your "BOSS - Undo Last Run.bat" file:

1. Right-click it and select "Edit" to open it up in Notepad.

2. On the line containing "BOSS.exe -r 1", replace the 1 with a 2 to give "BOSS.exe -r 2".

3. Then save the file and run it to revert your load order back two levels.


Customising How BOSS Works
The best way that users can customise how BOSS works is by using the included User Rules feature. This feature allows you to define the positions of mods not in the masterlist, and to override the masterlist positions of mods, as well as edit the output messages of mods, and more. In addition, this is all done without editing the masterlist.txt, so when you update it using the built-in updater, your changes shall not be lost. All the information on the User Rules feature can be found in the "BOSS User Rules ReadMe.html" file.

An alternative is to use the http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=29790 (BOMM) by Surazal, which is a Word 2003, 2007 and 2010 Macro that provides similar features.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND HELP:

Questions, suggestions, unrecognized mods and general discussion takes place http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1117093.

User corrections to the masterlist are vital. Let us know what you know.

Lists of unrecognized mods are welcome but the only way we can include them in the database in a timely way is if we get:

• The ESP/ESM file name(s) and
  
• A link to where the description, download or readme can be found to read or download.
  
• A brief description of each mod will also help. Feel free to make load order suggestions.

UPDATES:

Updates are published at the TES Nexus BOSS page.

For those not using the masterlist updater, the latest masterlist is always on the Google Code repository.

Always make sure to use the latest release of the BOSS program, and the latest masterlist.


CREDITS:

Sources for the mod list and its order include: Agiel's Annotated Load Order; Fivefries load order; dev_akm's official expanded FCOM load order (FCOM 0.9.9); suggestions and instructions from Mart's Monster Mod, Better Cities, Open Cities and Open Better Cities developers; suggestions and instructions from many other modders; lots of advice and information from users. Some people have gone out of their way and provided continuing, expert and detailed help - thank you very much!

Thanks go to Wrye for implementing the importing of BOSS's Bashed Patch tag suggestions into http://wrye.ufrealms.net/Wrye%20Bash.html.

Thanks also go to the Beta Testing & anolysis Guild at TESAlliance and Surazal for testing and giving feedback on v1.6 prior to release, and to myk002 for code contributions..


PROJECT MEMBERS

BOSS since the middle of 2009 been a collaborative project on Google Code using the SVN version tracking and editing engine.

Google Code Administrators:

• Arthmoor
  
• PacificMorrowind
  
• Random007
  
• WrinklyNinja

Oblivion Masterlist Developers:

• Alithelord
  
• Arthmoor
  
• PacificMorrowind
  
• Random007
  
• Riddling Lynx
  
• Tokc/Tokc.D.K.
  
• Vacuity
  
• WrinklyNinja
  
• ZiggyX

FO3 Masterlist Developers:

• Alithelord
  
• Arthmoor
  
• SpaceOden
  
• Mosanger
  
• PacificMorrowind
  
• Valda

Fallout: New Vegas Masterlist Developers:

• SpaceOden

Nehrim Masterlist Developers:

• Psymon

Source Code Developers:

• Random007
  
• Alithelord
  
• Leandor
  
• Leus
  
• PacificMorrowind
  
• WrinklyNinja

Most project members can be contacted on the Bethesda Game Studios Oblivion (and FO3) modding forum. Most can also be contacted on TesNexus.

LICENSE:

Better Oblivion Sorting Software and periodic updates are distributed under the http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0 copyright license, some rights reserved, 2009-2010. Copyright is owned wholly by the Better Oblivion Sorting Software development team (see list of project members).

• BOSS may be copied and distributed freely as long as it is not changed and includes all the original files including this documentation.
  
• Commercial use of this software or masterlist.txt file is not permitted without permission.
  
• Publishing derivations and customizations of the program or masterlist.txt file is not permitted without permission. Ask first.

QUICK LINKS:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?showtopic=1158388

http://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=29790: A handy MSWord 2007 (and now also 2003) Macro that Surazal wrote up to automatically update and merge the latest version of the masterlist with personal changes you want to make to your copy of the masterlist - very easy and simple to use.

Due to a 200 maximum post limit, a new "official" thread is created periodically (with the end of one thread providing a link to the next) so the link provided may refer to an old thread by the time you read this. Just navigate your way through to the latest thread to post a message.

You must register for free to post messages.

Documentation updated 8 October 2010

Unrecogised Mod Files

Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.

Unknown mod file: Ride_Wild_Horses_2.0.esp
Unknown mod file: Happyhannah's Time Wasting.esp
Unknown mod file: Anduril Reforged.esp
Unknown mod file: StolenItemOwnership.esp

I don't know where these mods should be placed... I can just describe what they do, and maybe that helps save you some time?

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2126 is a mod that stops wild horses from running away, so you can ride them.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=1628 changes the timescale on the fly so that time goes by faster when you're in the book menu, alchemy menu, or weapon repair menu. Simulates time actually passing as you perform those actions.

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36365 is a newly released quest mod.

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35723 is yet another mod that prevents NPCs from magically knowing that an item is stolen, presuming you weren't seen stealing it.

I hope this is helpful, it's my first post in a BOSS thread so I wasn't exactly certain how it's done.

Pacific, you missed the Autumn Trees esp I posted in the last thread.

added, thanks (though linkses/descriptions are appreciated)


added, thanks. (and as mentioned by WN added the Dairanath Avari - male Companion.esp with correct accented a)


got missed :ack:... added, thanks.


added, thanks.


added, thanks.
Pacific Morrowind

http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36590 - More Replay Again.esp

I am the creator, but I am not sure about load order. Maybe very near the end, but before Others Leveling System or Skill advance Systems, like Oblivion XP or nGCD. Progress, S.P.A.M. etc

Thanks.

Unknown mods:

Shader removers
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4987
(Not uploaded in an archive, hence the odd Nexus ref. at the end of the name)


Overrides R
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=31436

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35944


Race additions (+ hair + eyes etc)
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36483
% {{BASH:Graphics,NpcFaces,R.Ears}}

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36605
% {{BASH:Eyes,Graphics,Hair,NpcFaces,R.Ears}}

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36556
% {{BASH:Eyes,Graphics,Hair,NpcFaces,R.Ears,R.Head,R.Mouth,R.Teeth}}


I guess this would come under base mods
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36601

I found a mod that is unrecognized by BOSS http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36561. It needs to load before Uniquie Landscapes Arrius Creek otherwise water will be missing around the area of the mill.

added, thanks.


added, thanks.


got that last night... so after you posted this but before reading this... was in some old posts from a week or two ago anyways that I was behind on... but thanks for the description


added, thanks.


that's the most helpful type of post ... added, thanks


nah didn't miss it... just didn't get to it yet by the time you'd posted this... usually catch up on the last few posts of the previous thread at the start of the new thread but admiteddly this time had more to catch up on than normal.


added, thanks
Pacific Morrowind

Just noticed this BOSS message in another thread:



This is not the case. OOO-Map_Markers_Stock.esp [Version 1.33] should be used for those that don't like OOO's changes to map markers and rather want it as in vanilla:



http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/oscuroinstalloptions.html

@WrinklyNinja

Since we agreed on the change I moved Harvest[Containers] after OOO and updated the comments. I chose the post-OOO group for that and gave H[C] it's own sub-group to make it easy to move around if the user wishes to.

Unrecognized Mod Files

Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.
Unknown mod file: “Colourwheels sixy Oblivion OverHaul.esp”

More information can be found here: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36387
Colourwheel wants the mod to load at the very end of the load list, unfortunately that spot is getting crowded since a number of MODs want to be there.

I guess with your expertise you are able to find the right place for it.
Crash

Had a brief experience with the one posted by Crash above, might be an awkward one to place in the masterlist - with a lot of notes needed for the load order. As it says its an overhaul and quite wide sweeping, changes a lot of guards to be female, uses idle and walk anims, I believe it will conflict with a lot of beast changers (include orcs in that), aswell as anything TNR based (faces on Khajiit NPC's placed by TIE for example become deformed) Cobl races? ..... CW has put a lot of work into trying to de-conflict it but its a tough nut for a mod like this to be compatible with everything - I didnt have it installed long enough to look into it further, put me off having Vilja threatening me with her animated waggling 'idles' when stood still (and no I had not given her one too many mead). Robertmale needs to install after it at least (even though resources are stated as removed there are still conflicts).

Anyway on to another ....

Unrecogised Mod Files
Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.

Unknown mod file: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36618

No bash tags, not required I dont think... The mod comprises of the above esp and associated BSA

http://lovkullen.net/Emma/Waterlilyl.htm is one of Emma's great house mods

Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine2.esp is the KotN patch from http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5701



The latest version of http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12249 that I can find does not have this patch. Is it still needed, or is there a newer version?

Gordon

I am still in the installation process, install 5 MODs, play a bit if everything works with and without OBSE, install the next 5, you know the thrill.
I have Colourwheel’s overhaul at the very end (Wrye Bash not yet installed), I have an Orc, Argonian and a Kahjit replacer installed and I have Roberts Male Body 4, all in the BOSS load order (before the overhaul). So far no problems everyone looks as he is supposed to, except some googly eyes with the Redguards, but I guess that goes away after I bashed the thing.

Crash

Unknown mod file: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35223

Also, I really like how game breaking errors are now in red. Would it be possible to change the color of all non-Bash-Tag lines to something other than black? (green/blue)

Unrecogised Mod Files

Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.

Unknown mod file: kuerteeDetectLifeEffectNightEyeShader.esp http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36407

Unknown mod file: kuerteeSimpleVampirismExpanded.esp http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36408



Done.

Unknown Mod File: Temple District Repaired.esp
Bash Tags: None
Compatibility: Not compatible with Better Cities. (Although permission is granted in the ReadMe if anyone wants to take on the task)

From the mod http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35429.

Unrecogised Mod Files
Reorder these by hand using your favourite mod ordering utility.

Unknown mod file: Drake Knight Armor and Weapons v1.0.esp

Unknown mod file: Temple District Repaired.esp

Unknown mod file: Tolkien Elves.esp

Any chance of someone popping over to the http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1098111-relz-boss-f-thread-2/page__st__120__gopid__16996591#entry16996591 page and added a couple unknowns I've added. Thought I'd post here as everyone seems to have forgotten about that game now
Althought the unknows I've added seem a little odd (one of them is by you, Arthmoor!) so maybe the BOSS 4 Fallout - Update Masterlist.bat isn't getting the actual latest FO3 masterlist? :shrug:

There is a new version of http://www.scharesoft.de/joomla/forum/showpost.php?p=42409&postcount=65 with new esp Files. The current version in the Masterlist.txt is Oblivion_Deutsch_v3_2_1.esp

Oblivion_Deutsch_v5_0.esp
Oblivion_Deutsch_Patch_KotN.esp


Unrecogised Mod Files:

http://www.scharesoft.de/joomla/forum/showpost.php?p=550257
LoadingScreensSI-DV.esp

http://www.scharesoft.de/joomla/forum/showpost.php?p=800126
LoadingScreens-AddOn.esp

Unknown mods:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36212
(Patch for MountainShackR121.esp)

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36212
(Patch for Wm-Portable-Coffins.esp)

Unknown mod file: hrOscarWiener.esp

I can't find a working link to this mod on either PES or Nexus and honestly I don't remember where I got it. By hex_ratt, it adds a Tamriel-style hot dog vendor's wagon to the Imperial City Market District. Don't ask. Oddly enough it works just fine with Better Cities as long as you load it before BC... not sure if the author made it compatible purposely or just got lucky. Either way I'm glad, cause sometimes you just need a dirty water dog after a long day of adventuring.

With v2173
alluring Potion bottles v3.esp
alluring Wine bottles.esp
are tagged "deaktivate;NoMerge;Graphics"

With these settings I have neither icons nor meshes ingame only big yellows.
I left the Graphics tag but removed the others and activated both esp, like before. Now everything is fine again, no missing meshes or icons.

Maybe it occurs only if you have OOO installed and are using
Alluring_Potion_Bottles_v3_-_OOO
Alluring_Wine_Bottles_v3_-_OOO
which replace the original esp.

Thought to let you know about it.

I concur with this -- same situation here. I had WAC installed, and when I uninstalled it, no potion/drinks icons. No problem, I thought, I'll install Alluring Potions, but still no icons. I also noticed the Deactivate/NoMerge, and removed them. Icons now as they should be. I do have OOO installed, so use the renamed OOO esp.

Userlist Messages

"http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19281" has been sorted after "Mart's Monster Mod - Hunting & Crafting.esp".

"http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18843" has been sorted before "Bashed Patch, 0.esp". (there are 8 different esps in that pack)