Here is my shorter version of the idiots guide (yet it contains all the info you need to know):

• fileplanet/summit svcks because you have to register just to download stuff
  
• all plugins can be gotten elsewhere without registering
  
• don't use fileplanet or the summit

I doubt point 2 is strictly true unless you count contacting the authors directly.

And there are other mod sites that need registration as well. If you also exclude those then there is definitely a number of mods you won't be able to get ahold of.

I honestly have never had any problems with File Planet. It doesn't always work - what does - but I've never not been able to get the file I wanted. And when going through Summit I've almost never had to wait.

And why does having to register svck? You had to register to use this forum...........

Not all plugins can be gotten from other sites.

The summit and fileplanet have always worked for me, I never log out and rarely delete the cookies that keep me logged in, so its never a hassle. I just click the mod I want and away I go to fileplanet and have it within minutes usually. Its very easy.

It's fair enough to ask someone to register before they post what might be contriversial, defamatory, or illegal comments on a forum, but there's no valid reason why someone should have to register in order to access free community downloads.

If Fileplanet needs the registration information then what, exactly, do they need it for?
And if they don't need it then why do they insist on it, especially when it is the source of so much exasperation.

Because of the idiots out there.

There are those who use some sorta massive download program and simply hit the sites downloading the same thing 20 times in a row - things of that nature. Their goal is to clog up the servers - I guess because they think making a site go down is funny. Idjuts.

However, with registration, there is the hope (if not the reality) that that can be kept somewhat under control.

That - at any rate - is the theory. I don't really know enough about web sites to know if it is at a valid. But since I don't have a problem registering, I don't really much care, either.

FilePlanet has 2 different levels of download service. The really fast, no waiting servers for paid subscribers, and the slower, might have to wait in line free servers.
One reason for registering and logging in is so they know what service you've signed up for.

And what Lady Rae posted is also another valid reason.

Well, I didn't read the terms of use for fileplanet, but I wouldn't be surprised if the registration opted you in to receive targeted spam. But you shouldn't let that dissuade you; if you've been using the web for any reasonable length of time you ought to already have an email address just for the purposes of signing up for stuff...

For what it's worth - I have one address for friends and family. One for on-line stores. And one for registering at websites to download games and to talk on bulletin boards. Guess which one gets the most junk mail? The one for the stores. I get almost no junk mail for the ones for places like File Planet and such.

After registration you are given a cookie. From then on, when you contact the site that cookie is checked. There's no reason why you should have to register in order to get the cookie. Other sites manage their visitors this way.

See this is one of the discussion I get so tired of: the "I don't want register, just because" one.

IF you are hesitating to register (not only referring to you juv3nal) try indeed with an alternate e-mail address. But this isn't necessary at all - in over two years of registration at Fileplanet with my main address I have yet to receive the first spam message.
Another ridiculous thing I read here over the last few days was no registering because Gamespy "is known to distribute spyware". I'm not even going to discuss that - I think it's clear that when you don't download any of their Gamespy Arcade software or so, but just register to their website, you cannot even get spyware.

Oh that was just baseless speculation on my part. I sign up at so many random sites with my junk account that I would have no idea if any of it was from fileplanet or not.

Fileplanet is part of Gamespy who are a known spyware company. They sell that information to the highest bidder.

I think it was you actually who posted that, thanks for dropping in. Exactly where do you have the proof for that statement?

Or is it another one of the http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=154495&st=0&p=2642049&#entry2642049 kind of posts?

i dont install gamespy. just download mods from fileplanet, NONE OF WHICH HAVE EVER GIVEN ME SPYWARE. Don't download gamespy arcade. When you sign up, you dont even have to use your real name, email, and you can go through a proxy.

For a special project I needed a fake name and e-mail. I used Yahoo to get the fake e-mail and then signed up with File Planet using that one. This was over a week ago. The only spam I've gotten has been from Yahoo, nothing from File Planet, Gamespy, etc.

I've never had my email spammed by FilePlanet or Gamespy. Just don't download and install any gamespy software, and you'll be fine.

bump

Okay I plastered Fileplanet info all over the mod database now - that should decrease the amount of people coming here to ask...I don't know how to make it any clearer.

thanks! im flattered... ^_^

http://www.rpgplanet.com/morrowind/modpages/fileplanet.asp
It works fine for me.

A bump for good reason. New people really need to see this.

since some people seem to not be able to read the link on top of the Summit mod pages, I'm bumping this up.

the only complaint I have about file planet is when I am waiting for the mod download page to upload, it gets hijacked by an ad. Now I don't mind being hijacked twice or three times. It is free to me. However I have spent 15 minutes pressing the back button to get to my download page.


However I am not complaining to loudly. The mods hosted are usually high quality and its free. Here is a woot to file planet and summit!

Btw I have never had any problem downloading from the summit.