I don't think the TP2 file is the right place for metainformation. You shouldn't need to run WeiDU to get at it. The manifest file of the proposed new packaging format would seem like a more appropriate place to put it. The manifest can itself be in JSON and be directly parseable, without first invoking WeiDU.
I've forgot to add that most of those new KEYWORDS should be mandatory (regardless of where they are):
FULLNAME
DESCRIPTION
HOMEPAGE (optional)
SEMANTICVERSION
By requesting those new KEYWORDS as mandatory for every mod, I'm trying to solve "missing mod information" problem for "mod installer tool". It shouldn't be possibile anymore to create a mod without such basic mod information and the mod author should be responsible for them, not the community. The important part is not where the data is stored but what is required by weidu (next generation) in order to even start mod installation.
The manifest JSON file solution might work (+move AUTHOR, VERSION, README ) but only with the condition that including such file is mandatory in order for mod to be installed successfully. Otherwise, it's not linked to the mod itself - it means that mod author can be careless and ignore creating such file. Also maintaining two files can cause people to forgot to edit/update JSON after they edited tp2
There are two ways of solving this problem:
1.
- break compatibility with old wiedu (already requested)
- require new mandatory keywords to be placed into tp2
- "mod installer tool" will announce new mandatory requirements: we only support mods adapted to wiedu next generation
2.
- break compatibility with old wiedu (already requested)
- require new manifest JSON file to be included with mod (setup-<modname>.json), weidu won't execute without it
- "mod installer tool" will announce new mandatory requirements: we only support mods adapted to wiedu next generation
If the KEYWORDS/manifest aren't mandatory, nothing will change for the "mod installer tool"/central mod database.
MAINTAINER seems pointless; just use AUTHOR already.
If it would be some other modding community I wouldn't even think about it. But some recent improvements and patches which were provided for old BG mods was put my attention at this matter. The AUTHOR should be used only to indicate original creator of the mod. If somebody take care of the mod, modernize it and adopt to modern platforms, he also want's a feedback from players. Yet, he cannot change AUTHOR keywords because he expose himself to some copyright-troll who will screw all his hard work by saying that he "stole" the mod by replacing AUTHOR keyword. I would very much like to ignore something like this, but I can't. I'm asking a technical solution to get rig of "copyright" problem in such case. It's not too much work, It would be optional but if it can save us from some shitstorm, please reconsider it.