Large number/size of required libraries for freeware airports/scenery?

Discussion Hub World Discovery
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I have seen many freeware add-ons, whether airports or scenery improvements, on flightsim.to that require a lot of additional libraries - sometimes six or more libraries, with total sizes of 1.5GB.

As a developer myself (web/apps), I understand the usage and need for libraries, but I was wondering what other people think when they see these requirements? Clearly, most of the libraries are used in many many add-ons, so users may already have them installed.

Does the need to install a lot of libraries turn you off to certain airport/scenery add-ons?

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I’m ok with installing libraries if they’re reasonable in size and scope. Anything over a few hundred MB and I won’t download the library nor the freeware mod.

And I know the freeware mod will still load and run fine but will be missing objects. What’s the fun in that?

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I received feedback from my amateur freeware airports’ users who thank me not to have dependencies libraries to install. I personally do my best to not rely on anything external I can manage.

As a freeware user, I have the feeling that I have to download hundred of Mb of data for only one or two objects (gadget?). Most of the time, to test the scenery, I just ignore the requirement :wink:

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Yes it does. I usually skip any freeware that involves extra downloads.

That is just my personal opinion. I do understand why it is required. And it’s quite easy to set up using the Addon Linker Etc.

However, I’m not going to download a 2gb library for a 2mb scenery.

I’m also a developer and always integrate where possible.

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Not an issue for me.
The use of libraries has been common to all simulators for aeons, even payware developers use them.
For MSFS I use the incredibly useful Addon Linker’s dependencies tool.

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