ok. Since I recently started playing around with mods, at this point, I think I have it more under control now.

My question:
I have SKSE properly installed (I think..lol)
I have NMM up and running with some problems of crashing but from replies from my previous post, I think I need to install BOSS to "load order" my mods in the right sequence to avoid-minimize crashes... right?

Also I read that I should NOT mix workshop mods with nexus mods... a lot of conflicts in this particular subject with ppl saying don't mix and some saying it's ok... confusion on my part... so mix the mods from workshop and nexus or not?

There is a workshop mod called FOE that I am trying to get to work but it just would not. The game seems stable even with the FOE mod on but not really doing what it's suppose to. If I can't mix mods from workshop and nexus, where do I get a mode like FOE since I can't find it on nexus?

Since I don't have BOSS installed atm, do I have to "clean" (as in take out/ disable all the mods before installing BOSS)? Or can I just install BOSS and it will fix my mods "load order"? Using nexus, is there a command like "reset" to "clean" the game of mods to start fresh or do I have to manually delete/disable all of them if I need to?

Since I'm at it, so nexus NMM, SKSE, BOSS anything else aside from the "mods" itself that I need to install?

I'm sure I have more questions but for now any help on these issues would be great. An I do watch the youtube vid and scan the forums but advice from users in a forum seems to give me more answers...

Thanks
Tuna

1.LOOT is better for Skyrim than BOSS, but yes same thing applies

2. just do not use the Steam worskshop at all, if you REALLY want a mod from there, you can seperate it from the workshop. someone else can probably tell you better instructions than i could

3. What does FOE do? the name does not exactly help.

4. nope, just use LOOT/BOSS right off the bat

5. that is all you NEED. there are some other things that can help make the file more stable though, like TES5EDIT, and wryebash.

SKY UI may be of benefit to you. Many of the "script heavy" mods take advantage of the MCM portion of SKY UI to allow the player to tweak the mods to his/her likes as well as set up hot keys to use in-game. MCM is a menu accessed in-game through the "System" menu. All the mods that take advantage of this menu will automatically show up in the MCM once SKY UI is loaded correctly. I believe there is a video for loading this, but I'm not sure. It does require SKSE before it will work and that does have a video to help you out with installing.

As I said, I use both Workshop and Nexus without problem, but I have a tendency to read everything I can about a mod before I install it. I also avoid old mods that were created - and abandoned - before June of 2012 because Beth had a tendency to add patches and updates without warning and these often created problems with many mods, particularly those that were script heavy. Beth has finally moved away from Skyrim to greener pastures, so the modders are now free to troubleshoot and fix their mods without most of the headaches.

FOE - is a mod that allows you to check the hostility of NPC's and creatures you see while traveling before you are within that NPC's notice. It is able to be subscribed to on Workshop. Most of the posters there claim it works very well. However, it REQUIRES that you have SKSE, SKY UI, and Dawnguard loaded. The mod author says he is working on a version without Dawnguard, but it hasn't been completed as yet.

Also, I do not use BOSS or LOOT. I may try one in the future, but as of now, it is too easy to fix load order problems in the vanilla launcher and I hate trying to fix something that isn't broken. However, I've been using mods with Beth games for years, so I am familiar with how installations work and what to look out for in load orders. Also, I read a lot.

Whether you wish to use these programs or even whether you wish to use NMM on Nexus or Workshop is up to you. Do keep in mind that I've read where many of the past users of NMM are claiming NMM has ruined their games as well - particularly in script heavy mods where it fails to load everything needed. Whether that is a problem with Nexus or not, I don't know. I don't use NMM. I load the mods from Nexus manually and that seems to work for me.

Edit: My game runs for 8+ hours without any CTD. I stopped counting the hours after that.

I guess I have to go with what I think works for me. Too many conflicting advice between this and that. As far as installing mods manually, I would think that be a good idea but, I don't have the skills or the time to manually install mods. And I have SKSE working properly because I have skyui installed and it's working properly now not like the last time where it didn't have icons nor did it have command keys to drop loot sell loot etc....

MCM not familiar with this. Are you referring to the added "option" that shows up in the game menu that alow you to change settings. This "option" only showed up in my game menu (you know, where there is continue, load, save, options, etc) after I got SKSE installed right..

and what is CTD?
and what is BSA?

I hope everything continues to work well for you and that this will make it easier for you. Skyrim is a fun game once you have it working properly, no matter which choices you make.