Official TIPS thread

[Dear Mario active users]

29%

[Dadiro]

This thread has a purpose, in this thread we'll try to collect 100 tips for the site, make sure these tips aren't in the database yet and make sure it's an useful tip as well. So go post, here are mine:

0 - 49 (RED)
50 - 99 (ORANGE)
100 (GREEN) [COMPLETE]

Golden tips (Tips that actually are really good)
17. Never give money to RPG Hacker

To view the current tips, click here.
Current amount of tips: 19

1. [SMW] When you download a custom sprite, make sure if there comes an ExGFX file with it or not.
2. [SMW] Press Ctrl+Delete in Lunar Magic to remove everything in the level you currently are editing.
3. [Wii] Interested in Wii hacking, but having problems? Ask Dadiro or ShadowNinjaNick on how to get it to work. They might be able to help you out.
4. [Wii] When hacking your Wii, the first thing you should do is install Bootmii. It will protect from everything. Google "Bootmii" for more info.
5. [SMW] Spiked balls make just as much sense floating as munchers do, but can be used for stacking just fine.
6. Treat frames as layers when working with .GIF files in GIMP
7. The uploader is there for your convenience. Upload anything you need.
8. [SMW] Concentrate on your level design before you work on the graphics.
9. When coding websites, you should always draw out what you want your site to look like.
10. Use Firefox for its superior page rendering abilities.
11. Think before you post.
12. "There," "their," and "they're" all have different meanings and should be used as such. "There going to the movies" is not correct and annoys everyone.
13. You can draw crappy images in the advanced image uploader on posts.
14. You smell. Go shower.
15. "Left" is where the thumb is on the right
16. Always wash your hands before lunch
17. Never give money to RPG Hacker
18. If you find an ROM, make sure it doesn't have M3 in it. These are slightly edited and some won't work on the editing programs.
19. [SMW] The most part about SMW hacks are level design. Stuff like long, straight, cutoffnessed, stacked/floating munchered, hardcore hacks are NOT parts of level design.

[>L<]

How about:
Do not IPS patch your ROM more than once. It will screw up.

[RPG Hacker]

OK. How can I see all the tips that are in the database?

How about:
Do not IPS patch your ROM more than once. It will screw up.

Not true.

[Dadiro]

OK. How can I see all the tips that are in the database?

Not true.

I don't know, you should ask lemmy.

[ShadowNinjaNick]

When hacking your Wii, the first thing you should do is install Bootmii. It will protect from everything. Google "Bootmii" for more info.

[Lemmy The Koopa]

These are all the current tips in the database:
Read the rules.
Our IRC room for IRC clients can be accessed by clicking <a href="irc://rizon.net/tmn">here[/url]
Join the forum!
To upload files, click "additional options" at the end of the WYSIWYG editor.
Postcount++ games do not actually increase your postcount which makes the name irrelevant.
Help us by making tips!
Choose smilies that fit your style. To change smiley sets, go to profile>Look and Layout Preferances>Current Smiley Set.
[SMW] In Lunar Magic, press all the normal mushrooms in order to fix the nasty graphics error lunar magic sends you if the gfx are stored in the wrong format.
If you have a problem with another user, PM them to try to work it out. If that doesn't work, contact a staff member you can trust.
[SMW] To get help with Super Mario World hacking, go here.
[SMW] If you want to use layer 2, enable it before you start the level.
TO edit graphics in yy-chr, sometimes the graphics need to be decompressed. Otherwise, just open up the rom.
[SMW] Use Romi's addmusic. You won't regret it.
Anything is possible - use your imagination!
Donating to the site means we will use the money towards the site - NOT for personal things.
Join us on the irc! You can use the mibbit widget provided, but it's preferred if you downloaded a client such as mIrc or Chatzilla (a firefox addon).
Upload betas/demos/anything site related to your posts! Look under 'Additional Options...' at the bottom of the screen when posting.
[SMW] Use Notepad++ when working with music.
[SMW] If you think you'd be a good judge, apply for the job! We are always looking for new judges to get more and more opinions.
Try hacking different games! Maybe you will like hacking SMRPG better than SMW.
Do NOT submit your graphics if you think they may be overused, and don't want them to be. Unless your willing to take that risk.
Use whatever resources are available to you.
Make a relationship with those around you. Having friends is fun!
Try writing tips for the site. 50 tips gets you a nifty badge, just like I'm going for now ~Geno
If you are having trouble, do not hesitate to ask for help.
Someone getting on your nerves? Don't hesitate to contact the staff!
Staff members are your friends. They aren't meant to be intimidating in any way.
We were all n00bs sometime-don't be ashamed!
If you know the answer to someone elses question, but aren't entirely sure, don't hesitate to post! It won't do harm if it doesn't work.
[SMW] Use romi's sprite tool. It's more advanced than mikeyk's.
Want to play some hack or any snes game over wifi? Download Hamachi and find someone on the irc!
Feel like talking? Want your questions answered live? Come to the irc to see if we can help you.
Are you a good artist? Take a crack at making smilies or skins for the site!
Before submitting a hack, get someone to beta test it. Especially if you are new!
Think a game is big enough to have it's own hack forum? Tell us!
If you are in a hacking slump, play other hacks to get inspiration!
Don't feed the lemmings!!!
[SMW] Palletes are your friends. Play around with them to give your levels a unique flair.
When in a slump, try new things!
[SMW] Mario's GFX lie in gfx32.bin.
Write tutorials for everything and anything, especially things that 'seem' simple.
Be nice to n00bs. Be nice to EVERYONE!
Suggestions, suggestions, suggestions. We always hear your suggestions openly and see what we can do.
YY-CHR may seem confusing at first, but don't worry, you get used to it.
Small hex edits can do wonders for things.
Writing a lot of things in one session can get tiring. Take some breaks!
When making pixel art, remember where your light source is coming from, and shade it accordingly.
To make a spoiler, use the spoiler tags! [spoiler ]text [/spoiler ] (with no spaces in the bracket).
Do NOT steal anything from anyone elses hacks. It's just wrong.
Can't find a clean rom? Search google for 'the_rom_name (U) [!].smc'. Example: Super Mario World (U) [!].smc
Help the community any way you can.
Join in on Count to One Million in the postcount++ games! It is important we make one million.
Report any and all bugs you find. This goes for hacks as well as the site.
[SMW] Learn how to patch xkas. It's incredibly useful, and much safer than ips.
[SMW] Make use of dynamic sprites! Altough dsx.asm must be patched to your rom, it is well worth it.
Beware the dong llama!

[Dadiro]

Thanks for that, lemmy.

[Lemmy The Koopa]

more tips:
Spiked balls make just as much sense floating as munchers do, but can be used for stacking just fine.
Treat frames as layers when working with .GIF files in GIMP
The uploader is there for your convenience. Upload anything you need.
Concentrate on your level design before you work on the graphics.
When coding websites, you should always draw out what you want your site to look like.
Use Firefox for its superior page rendering abilities.
Think before you post.
"There," "their," and "they're" all have different meanings and should be used as such. "There going to the movies" is not correct and annoys everyone.
You can draw crappy images in the advanced image uploader on posts.
You smell. Go shower.

[RPG Hacker]

OK, let's try this
-100 = $64 = %01100100
-Michael Jackson is dead
-Chuck Norris is not dead
-Yoshi's tounge is aproximately 60 inches long
-"Left" is where the thumb is on the right
-Always wash your hands before lunch
-The 100,000th digit of Pi is 6
-I know who you are! You are Guest!

[Dadiro]

OK, let's try this
-"Left" is where the thumb is on the right
-Always wash your hands before lunch
-If you want TMN to survive, please don't give RPG Hacker any money

Thanks, I left out the following:

-100 = $64 = %01100100
-Michael Jackson is dead
-Chuck Norris is not dead
-Yoshi's tounge is aproximately 60 inches long
-The 100,000th digit of Pi is 6
-I know who you are! You are Guest!

These aren't really useful tips.

[>L<]

Dadiro, the last one is useful!(To me anyway...)
Another tip:
"If you find an ROM, make sure it doesn't have M3 in it. These are slightly edited and some won't work on the editing programs."

[Yoshi86UP]

-I know who you are! You are Guest!

HELL NO!

[SMW] The most part about SMW hacks are level design. Stuff like long, straight, cutoffnessed, stacked/floating munchered, hardcore hacks are NOT parts of level design.