Don't let the name fool you - BOSS supports Oblivion, Nehrim (a total conversion for Oblivion), Fallout 3, and now Fallout: New Vegas too. I've put a [WIPz] tag in there because while the changes have been made to the program's source code, the update hasn't been released.

First, an intro: If you've ever played Oblivion with mods, chances are you'll have heard of this nifty little program. It's a bit less likely if you've been playing Fallout 3, which hasn't been supported (or around) for as long, but if you've used Fallout Mod Manager to order your mods, it uses the same program. For those that haven't heard of BOSS before, it is basically a load order utility that orders all your mod plugins into the correct order to deal with conflicts and compatibility, saving days of your life (literally: pre-BOSS, load ordering took forever). For more info, you can take a look at the http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1126021-relz-boss-better-oblivion-sorting-software/ and the http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516. It should all be explained better in there.

Now, I've announced New Vegas support: however, that doesn't mean a whole lot, since while the program will work with New Vegas, it can't actually order anything, since the masterlist (the file that stores the correct load order of mods) is empty, and needs filling. For this, the BOSS team is recruiting - we need new volunteers to help keep the masterlist up-to-date. Nobody (AFAIK) on the BOSS team actually possesses a copy of NV, so we need the modding community of this game's help to do this. The more people that get involved, the better. We are, of course, looking for people that know how load ordering works, ie. the Rule of One, etc. so if you're new to mods then it's best that you wait a while before getting involved. If you've ever used TES4Edit or FO3Edit, and have good experience with mods in Fallout 3 or Oblivion, please do apply.

Anyone who thinks that they fill the above requirements, please apply by PMing me, and I'll take things from there. Thanks for your time.

Bump - probably should have done this after 12 hours, not 24, but there you go.

Good stuff. Also I nominate the name change to Fallout Load Order Sorting Software.

FLOSS? Keeps your mods clean, and your teeth sparking white?

I suggest BLOSS (Bethesda Load Order Sorting Software). It may not sound pretty but since it works with all of Bethesda's Games......

Then again using their name may have legal ramifications since if it screws up people will blame them instead of you

Yeah, and LOSS (Load Order Sorting Software) doesn't sound very exciting ...

Regarding the name: I've often thought about proposing a change, but have never thought of a good replacement. I don't think we can legally use the Bethesda name, and I don't want a heap of different names going around for what is exactly the same program, that just breeds confusion. Also, the BOSS acronym is well-known, even if the full name sometimes gets confused, so it would be best to have a change of full name but stick with the same acronym.

Anyway, just take it as though the name won't change - make up a name if you really want, as it probably won't change. There's a lot of thought to be put into such a thing, and it happens very slowly, if at all.

:celebration:

It's good to see BOSS already being worked on for New Vegas. BOSS has saved my butt on too many occasions.

I loved BOSS for Oblivion! will make life awesome for NV once it gets going

I've got NV, I'll add the plugins I'm using. If you guys can start posting your plugins that would be cool.

FLOSS made me chuckle

Thanks for the positive comments, but I've had no replies from people interested in volunteering, and this is going nowhere without said volunteers.

EDIT: jacksonleist has signed up as a maintainer, but I'm sure he'd appreciate some help.

Oh I should have clarified, I'm jacksonleist. I'll maintain the NV list/nexus page as needed. But yeah the more the merrier, anyone else interested in managing the masterlist for NV is welcome to join us.

Very glad to see BOSS on the scene!! :celebration:

Thank you for working on this, I found BOSS to be very helpful when the list of Fallout3 mods got really huge. Starting early will allow you to get a really good handle on the mods out there and where best they fit - it should be a great mix.

Looking forward to see its release! :goodjob:

Wow! I've played all of TES games except oblivion and for that reason have skipped this wonderful masterpiece. I remember myself drudging throw over 60 different mods and tweaks in FO3 hoping for solution like BOSS! I am glad that you decided to bring it up to NV and support it. It always was half the trouble to find all the mods and compatibility patches that you wanted and the second half was sorting them out right. Half trouble is gone, Woohoo!

I'll gladly try to help this wonderful project. Not to flatter myself my is scripting skills are limited to simple algorithms and just basic working experience with GECK (mostly weapon behavior ).