This guide explains how to browse, search, and interact with files in the download database. Uploading and other file management features will be covered in the following post.
Browsing, Tags, and Filters
Files can be discovered a number of ways: browsing specific tags, filtering multiple tags, or viewing most "recently active" files.
Specific tags can be found from the main Download library page, or by clicking on a specific tag name from the list of tags when viewing a file.
You can also filter all files on the Download Database by one or more filters from the "Browse All Tags".
Lastly, you can view all files sorted by most recent activity from the "Browse All Downloads" button. This is similar to how the Forums will display active Topics.
Searching
The search bar allows you to quickly locate files.
- Searches match file titles and descriptions.
- Results are ranked by relevance.
- Search can be combined with tag filters to further refine results.
Use search when you know specific keywords related to the file you want.
Voting and Ratings
Registered users can submit votes on ratings for files. A file's rating is based on an average of the votes they have received. Users are encouraged to vote on files they find useful or maps they enjoy, as a high rating helps highlight useful and high-quality files.
Each user can vote once per file, although you may change your vote at any time. Vote responsibly - ratings affect visibility and help other users decide what to download.
File Versions and Changelogs
Some files may make previous versions of files available for download. Previous versions are useful for compatibility with older setups or for troubleshooting regressions. When available, you will see a button for "View Older Versions" which will display all versions of a file available.
Files may be tagged with version info, such as "Stable", "Beta", "Deprecated", and other version tags to help you identify which version of a file you may wish to download.
A file may also include a changelog which details information between different versions. When available, you will see a button for "View Full Changelog" which will display the previous version's changelogs.
Reporting Downloads
If a file does not download correctly, does not work as described, or otherwise has issues downloading or installing, you can Report the file for manual review by the site moderators. Please reserve file Reports for major issues! If possible, you should use the file comment thread to seek assistance with the file from the uploader or file author.
To Report a broken file:
- Use the Report Broken File option on the download page.
- Provide a short explanation of the issue (missing file, corrupted archive, outdated content, etc.).
- Reports notify the file author and moderators for review.
Reporting broken files helps keep the database accurate and usable.
Download Discussions
Each download has a dedicated discussion thread on the file's page. This discussion functions identically to the forum, including all Markdown and other features. Use the discussion link on the download page to ask questions, provide feedback, or report issues, as file authors may post updates, clarifications, or support information.
Download discussions are the preferred place for support and feedback related to a specific file.
