Upgrades

Beginning with version 5.0, all of the modules support (hopefully) seamless upgrades to new versions.

Upgrade Steps

Do a backup. All release packages are tested before they go out the door, but you never know!
Obtain both the Upgrade and Fresh Install release packages for the version you’re upgrading to. //Note: You must upgrade to each version in order; you cannot skip straight from 6.0 to 8.0.//
See any special upgrade instructions mentioned on the release notes page for your particular version.
Log into the game using your GameWiz char (or whoever has the Install Manager objects in their inventory.)
Go through the Upgrade installers one by one in sequential order. //Note: Installers must be done in the right order or they may fail.//
If it’s a system you’re using, copy/paste or upload the file to your game. //Note: If using cut/paste, be careful about text editors that automatically word-wrap or insert extra linebreaks.//
If you get an error about a system not being found, it’s probably a new system, or one you had never installed before. In that case, use the ‘Fresh Install’ installer for that system only.

The difference between an upgrade and a full install is that the upgrade will preserve existing data.

Data created by the system will be safe when doing an upgrade. For example: bbposts and +jobs.
Data that I intend for you to configure will also be safe. For example: +finger fields and skill lists. If the help files tell you to configure something, it’s going to be safe from upgrades.
Anything else will be replaced and the DB#’s automatically updated.

Modifying the softcode will make it very difficult for you to upgrade the systems in the future. See the Modifying Code document for some advice.