@Nomiko13 and @Majestyk the epitome of efficient installations (or so I've been told) is ciane's process presented here. It is definitely targeted at people who own the store, and, truthfully, I have not attempted it myself. But I wanted to make sure that you were at least aware of it for future use.
In my opinion I've found the browser's two advantages are: 1) I found it was better at showing what was and wasn't installed in game, and, more importantly, 2) it provides the downloaded filename. While the Simdex's advantage is a clean interface for referencing items that you still have left to buy and seeing what something looks like when choosing whether to use it.
Basically this means you know the name of the set/item you want to download, look up the link in the table, click through and it immediately starts the download/install process without you having to locate the item either in the store or your purchase history. Whether you own the store or not, this is a great tool. Especially if you have a habit of gifting to others often, which further clutters your purchase history.
*whew* As always, don't hesitate to ask any questions. Just make sure to reference my name so that I know to pop back in to answer them.
NOTE: The direct download links in the Megalist weren't compatible when I opened it in QuattroPro, but they did work in OpenOffice. If they don't work for you, the next column brings you to the store page, which at least saves you using the store search or sifting through your purchase history.
@Jude525 Which one do you find most useful? Do I have to keep/use it on the computer I have the game downloaded on or can I use it on another computer?
@ninaumi lol at first I only pursued items I wanted and then somewhere along the way, I decided to pursue the store since I own most of what I want, thanks to generous simmers and friends.
@Jude525 Thanks for the info! Bookmarked both links!
@gnlovew thanks for the two gifts, friend, but to my dismay and sadness, the gifts didn't go through on my end Nevertheless, I appreciate the thought!
@minimonXI Thank you so much for gifting me one of my top 5's (Easy Does it Shirt)!
Part 1)
For the process of acquiring the store, I prefer the Simdex. It is much easier to browse. You either check things off as you get them, or you check off what you want and uncheck them as you get them. With the second technique an empty Simdex means an empty wishlist and I found it much easier than the on screen sticky notes I had started with!
But once you own everything, the browser has little dials that indicate the percentage of a collection/set that is installed on your computer. If you have a system that can handle a full install, this is very helpful. I didn't install the browser until a while after I'd been playing on my new system and found that I had missed installing many things, including entire sets. For that the browser was invaluable.
Part 2) The Simdex can reside anywhere. It does not depend on game files and can be used on any platform (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux.) Originally I kept it on my tablet so that I could cross reference it against what was on my computer screen, but now it is on my computer so that I can see the content on a larger screen when trying to decide what to use in a build or for an outfit. I sometimes find it easier to browse than the build/buy mode in-game.
crincrit's browser not only needs to be installed on the same system as the game, but there are some other specific requirements. Firstly, it only runs on Windows. Secondly, make sure to follow the instructions for installation carefully. There are separate components that need to be installed precisely in order for it all to work. This isn't difficult if you just follow the instructions step by step, but if the browser doesn't work, just go over the steps again. (I did it wrong the first time )
Finally, the browser doesn't technically show what is installed in your game. It looks at the .sims3pack files in the /Downloads folder and assumes that they have actually been installed. If you are someone like me who moves or deletes those files after they are installed, then the browser won't work without a small adjustment. Let me know if you have this problem and I'll explain a workaround.
By now you've noticed that I'm not good at short answers. Sorry about that. What I lack in brevity I hope I make up for in earnestness. I find being part of this community to be a big part of my Sims 3 experience and I love helping people out. The ads have been slow for me lately, so gifting hasn't been my thing, but at least I can do this.
@Jude525 I'm the type of person that deletes my DLC from the downloads once it finished installing. I think I'm gonna attempt to use the Simdex first. Trying to figure out what all I have first and what I need next. Thanks
@Majestyk Yeah, it would be a pain in the plum to go through what it would take to use the browser at this point. I had the advantage of using it from the beginning on my new system.
You missed all that drama. It took a LOOOONG time for me to pick out the right Windows laptop after giving up on getting The Sims to run well on my Mac. But I'm a very happy camper these days.
Thank you, @gr1zzly, @TnT_Terry, and @Jahnna! I now own all the individual items. I just have the worlds and venues left. And those like 2 sets that I own everything in, but it still wants me to buy it. Ugh!
Oh! Speaking of which! I forget who gifted it to me because the message disappeared. But thank you to whoever gave me the Gothique Library! Really appreciate it!
It's been a long while since I've been on the stores. when does the sales end? Also where do you usually find the ads?
I missed this. WELL The sales are broken. Have been since October. Make Me An Offer may or may not be broken for you. If it is, good luck getting it fixed. I'm still waiting.
Ads are sporadic for most of us and rarely show any logic. Personally, I can usually get a decent run if I am on my Mac between 8pm and 10pm, but not always. My Windows system is a total cr4pshoot and rarely adds up to much. There are a lot of theories about which browsers work in which combination on which systems, but your mileage may vary. I will say that I have seen people consistently say that any Apple product is more likely to pay out on a regular basis, but they are can be just as fickle as any other platform.
Oh! Speaking of which! I forget who gifted it to me because the message disappeared. But thank you to whoever gave me the Gothique Library! Really appreciate it!
You can go to your purchase history and it will tell you the username of the person that gifted it to you. I have to do it this way as I don't get emails or sims3.com notifications anymore.
Nobody knows really. Around October the Sims 3 website had a severe glitch. The sales page stopped working (it's still stuck on the same sales from months ago), the Daily Deals rotation got messed up and went a few weeks ahead or back (cant remember which way) and for most people the "Make Me An Offer" page has stopped working always saying "Be Right Back! Our site appears to be down right now. Don’t worry, we have one of our best people working on it." There are only a few lucky people that can still use the Make Me An Offer page. The problem seems to be account specific but EA refuses to work on it, fix it or even admit that something is wrong. Just like they are not bothered to fix the sales page.
At one point ads also stopped paying out simpoints but at least they fixed that after several people kept reporting it.
I own the store since March 4th, 2017! Thanks to everybody who has helped me achieve this!
TheSims3.com: Jahnna
Oh! Speaking of which! I forget who gifted it to me because the message disappeared. But thank you to whoever gave me the Gothique Library! Really appreciate it!
I remembered someone else tried so hard, and failed... so I thought I'd gift it to you on their behalf. ^-^ Enjoy!
Comments
I plan on getting items I specifically want, and after I get all of that, who knows.
I've updated my Top 5. Thank you all!
Origin ID: ninaumi
My Store Wishlist
Top 5
The M Dynasty
But even before/without that, if you use either crinrict's browser or kellycot1's Simdex to track what you own, then you can use the download links in Valgon57's download megalist to skip the store entirely and go straight to the download links.
In my opinion I've found the browser's two advantages are: 1) I found it was better at showing what was and wasn't installed in game, and, more importantly, 2) it provides the downloaded filename. While the Simdex's advantage is a clean interface for referencing items that you still have left to buy and seeing what something looks like when choosing whether to use it.
Basically this means you know the name of the set/item you want to download, look up the link in the table, click through and it immediately starts the download/install process without you having to locate the item either in the store or your purchase history. Whether you own the store or not, this is a great tool. Especially if you have a habit of gifting to others often, which further clutters your purchase history.
*whew* As always, don't hesitate to ask any questions. Just make sure to reference my name so that I know to pop back in to answer them.
NOTE: The direct download links in the Megalist weren't compatible when I opened it in QuattroPro, but they did work in OpenOffice. If they don't work for you, the next column brings you to the store page, which at least saves you using the store search or sifting through your purchase history.
I own the store as of 1+7/17/17
My Studio
My build thread in the Creative Corner
And as I type that @gr1zzly sneaks in and send me another couple of gifts I'm so spoiled! Thank you so much!!!
Finally update my top 5!
@Jude525 Which one do you find most useful? Do I have to keep/use it on the computer I have the game downloaded on or can I use it on another computer?
@Jude525 Thanks for the info! Bookmarked both links!
@gnlovew thanks for the two gifts, friend, but to my dismay and sadness, the gifts didn't go through on my end Nevertheless, I appreciate the thought!
@minimonXI Thank you so much for gifting me one of my top 5's (Easy Does it Shirt)!
Top 5 updated here!
●【youtube】【 sims 3 page】【gallery】●
●|| free items | daily deals | cascades |thank you ||●
▲still waiting on sims 4 generations▲
▶owner of the store since 9/21/2017◀
Top 5 updated!
Don't worry, be happy! It's Le Cirque Celebration! now.
@taratownie I really need that Jazz Living Room set, ASAP I'm trying to get to that download button, but it's getting very slow.
Origin ID: ninaumi
My Store Wishlist
Top 5
The M Dynasty
Part 1)
For the process of acquiring the store, I prefer the Simdex. It is much easier to browse. You either check things off as you get them, or you check off what you want and uncheck them as you get them. With the second technique an empty Simdex means an empty wishlist and I found it much easier than the on screen sticky notes I had started with!
But once you own everything, the browser has little dials that indicate the percentage of a collection/set that is installed on your computer. If you have a system that can handle a full install, this is very helpful. I didn't install the browser until a while after I'd been playing on my new system and found that I had missed installing many things, including entire sets. For that the browser was invaluable.
Part 2)
The Simdex can reside anywhere. It does not depend on game files and can be used on any platform (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux.) Originally I kept it on my tablet so that I could cross reference it against what was on my computer screen, but now it is on my computer so that I can see the content on a larger screen when trying to decide what to use in a build or for an outfit. I sometimes find it easier to browse than the build/buy mode in-game.
crincrit's browser not only needs to be installed on the same system as the game, but there are some other specific requirements. Firstly, it only runs on Windows. Secondly, make sure to follow the instructions for installation carefully. There are separate components that need to be installed precisely in order for it all to work. This isn't difficult if you just follow the instructions step by step, but if the browser doesn't work, just go over the steps again. (I did it wrong the first time )
Finally, the browser doesn't technically show what is installed in your game. It looks at the .sims3pack files in the /Downloads folder and assumes that they have actually been installed. If you are someone like me who moves or deletes those files after they are installed, then the browser won't work without a small adjustment. Let me know if you have this problem and I'll explain a workaround.
By now you've noticed that I'm not good at short answers. Sorry about that. What I lack in brevity I hope I make up for in earnestness. I find being part of this community to be a big part of my Sims 3 experience and I love helping people out. The ads have been slow for me lately, so gifting hasn't been my thing, but at least I can do this.
I own the store as of 1+7/17/17
My Studio
My build thread in the Creative Corner
You missed all that drama. It took a LOOOONG time for me to pick out the right Windows laptop after giving up on getting The Sims to run well on my Mac. But I'm a very happy camper these days.
I own the store as of 1+7/17/17
My Studio
My build thread in the Creative Corner
Anyway. About to update my top 5
http://store.thesims3.com/myWishlist.html?persona=simsfanatic9#
http://store.thesims3.com/myWishlist.html?persona=simsfanatic9#
I missed this. WELL The sales are broken. Have been since October. Make Me An Offer may or may not be broken for you. If it is, good luck getting it fixed. I'm still waiting.
Ads are sporadic for most of us and rarely show any logic. Personally, I can usually get a decent run if I am on my Mac between 8pm and 10pm, but not always. My Windows system is a total cr4pshoot and rarely adds up to much. There are a lot of theories about which browsers work in which combination on which systems, but your mileage may vary. I will say that I have seen people consistently say that any Apple product is more likely to pay out on a regular basis, but they are can be just as fickle as any other platform.
I own the store as of 1+7/17/17
My Studio
My build thread in the Creative Corner
You can go to your purchase history and it will tell you the username of the person that gifted it to you. I have to do it this way as I don't get emails or sims3.com notifications anymore.
Nobody knows really. Around October the Sims 3 website had a severe glitch. The sales page stopped working (it's still stuck on the same sales from months ago), the Daily Deals rotation got messed up and went a few weeks ahead or back (cant remember which way) and for most people the "Make Me An Offer" page has stopped working always saying "Be Right Back! Our site appears to be down right now. Don’t worry, we have one of our best people working on it." There are only a few lucky people that can still use the Make Me An Offer page. The problem seems to be account specific but EA refuses to work on it, fix it or even admit that something is wrong. Just like they are not bothered to fix the sales page.
At one point ads also stopped paying out simpoints but at least they fixed that after several people kept reporting it.
TheSims3.com: Jahnna
I remembered someone else tried so hard, and failed... so I thought I'd gift it to you on their behalf. ^-^ Enjoy!
Daily Deal Thread | 100% Free Store Items - Many of which you probably didn't know existed!
Cascade Deals | Free Kids Items!
Unlock Missing Store/EP/SP Stencils
Gift Badges or Backgrounds!
Pattern Hoarder Tutorial
Origin ID: ninaumi
My Store Wishlist
Top 5
The M Dynasty
Thank you, @charlotteprice, for another couple of gifts!
I've updated my top 5!
TheSims3.com: Jahnna
My top 5 is updated now.