Modding/mod question

[Doomshade]

I didn't want to clutter up the modders forum with a post that I am sure is there but the searching that I did didn't turn up the info I wanted so here it is, how do I mod moo3. I have DL'ed mini-ithkul's mod program and I understand how to install it and run it (but I have not done so yet, a little paranoid about running unknown exe's on my machine).

I am guessing from reading on the mods forum that I need to edit the spreadsheets that are included with min-ithkul's program. But am not sure where to start, it is all too much info at once.

questions
1) Do most people use mini-ithkul's mod program and are reasonably sure there are no trojans or other malicious programs are included in the exe? If you use other mod program what do u use?
2) Where is a good place for a newbie modder to start? What is an easy to alter spreadsheet that I can do a test run on?
3) Is there more to modding than what I explained above (altering the spreadsheets)?
4) I know that several mods have been written but I would like to learn by reinventing the wheel if I must. Is there a list of things that just aren't moddable? I did notice a nice list of what some of the various rows and columns mean in some of the spreadsheets on the modders forum, but I was wondering if someone had compiled a list of stuff we have tried but does not work (and most likely won't ever work)?
5) I notice most of the existing mods are "bundled" together with other mods. Is it possible to just install one or two of the mods and not the entire "bundle?"
6) Are mods easy to uninstall once installed or do you have to do a clean install of m003 and patch?

OK that is enough to get me (and perhaps others interested) started. TIA to those that respond.

[SnowFox5]

These are some very good q's and I would also like to know the answers too them.

[Alyeana]

1. I don't use (or know anything about) this program. Those .mob files in your data folders are actually compressed with zip format. You can unzip them using an unzipping program, which I'm sure you have. Then the spreadsheets will all be there for you to edit.

2. :confused: I'm not sure. They aren't really all that hard to understand - at least not all of them. I changed the task force sizes, so you might want to try that. You can edit the spreadsheets with Excel or, failing that, a simple text editor. Just don't add in extra tabs if you do.

I think the file for that is "TaskForceSizes.txt" in "Spreadsheets.mob".

3. You can also change graphics, at least. I don't know if you can change sound. It may be possible to change the music, too.

4. I don't think so. I believe the developers tried to remove some of the extraneous stuff in the last patch, but I think there are still things in there that have no effect.

I don't really have any recommendations as to how to find out what has no effect except trial and error and browsing the forums.

5. Mods are just text or graphic files (maybe a few other types too). You can mix and match them as much as you want (as long as they don't edit the same file).

6. You just remove the mod files from your data folder. Unless you did something silly like overwrite one of your old files (which shouldn't happen, since you don't have to) your moo3 will be in perfect condition.

[Doomshade]

Thanks for answering what you could. I hope others chime in as well. Thanks again.