ALL credit goes to Monique for the work she did with the computer (MQ_Cheap_Computer). Her work is made available at http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=64137.

**Credit goes to Alexx at MATY for his fix to a bug in the Write Novel TEST BHAV for Monique's Cheap Computer, and he had given me his permission to incorporate the fix into the FT version.**

The newly updated computer (based on the Bon Voyage/FreeTime computer version) has new functions and badges in addition to the original functions made by Monique.

**This version -can- use recolors made by both Monique and happygolucky. They are available at http://www.modthesims2.com.


Update:

9-22-08: Fixed the enthusiasm issue on all the FT and AL computers preventing the Sims from gaining enthusiasm while playing computer games.


What's Included for AL:

Search For Roommate - Enables the apartment residents to search for roommates on the computers.


In the Future:

Possibly add new functions to let Sims buy the new potions, cauldrons and spellbooks via the Shop Online feature on the computer.



What's Included for FT:

Give Financial Advice - (better wording than "Give Financial Consulting" only on this computer. Why "Give Financial Consulting" when "Give Financial Advice" is much better and comprehendable? Available only IF the Fortune Sim or Sim with Secondary Fortune Aspiration choose the benefit from their Aspiration window for FT.)

Browse Web/Blog - (Available only IF the Sim has enough enthusiasm points in his or her hobby to do either one. All of the hobbies will become available if the Sim reach that point in some, most or all of his or her hobbies to do so. Enabled for children as well as teens, adults and elders to browse the web and/or blog if they have enough enthusiasm points in their hobby.)

Write Restaurant Guide - (Available only IF the Pleasure Sim or Sim with Secondary Pleasure Aspiration choose the benefit from their Aspiration window for FT.)

Start Gaming Competition - (Available only IF there is more than one computer and more than one Sim on a home or university lot. Similar to LAN Party, but available at all times.)

Write Novel - (Completely revamped to be compatible with FreeTime. This new function enables Sims to choose the plot elements and book cover for their new novels just like they would on the FT computers.)

Pottery and Sewing Badges - (Added to the functions for studying badges on a home lot and a business lot.)


Caution:

Buy Video Games Online works, BUT the video game dialog window will only display the original Sims Bustin' Out and SimCity 4 Rush Hour games. Works as originally intended by Monique.



Compatibility:

Compatible with Twojeff's "computerfixes", JM Pescado's "nohumble", Jfade's "djshumblechoicehack" and possibly "djsantihumblehack". DO get ONE of these updated mods for Apartment Life.


Instructions:

Unzip or unrar the package and install all of them into:

C:\Documents and Settings\******\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads

Or:

C:\Documents and Settings\******\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\AL_MQ_Cheap_Computer

You can create a folder in the Downloads folder to place these files in to keep your folders and mods organized.


Support:

Since Monique is not technically retired and is still MIA from the Sims 2 community since October 2007, her work is more or less unsupported at MTS2, but she hasn't explicitly stated anything about her work. No policy to govern how she wanted to be recognized for the work she did or how she wanted her work to be redistributed, BUT she does deserve the credit and recognization regardless.

I request that this new version for FreeTime and Apartment Life not be uploaded to paysites and Exchange without contacting me first.


****This updated computer is "as is" at the moment with new FT features. No new requests (such as new computer meshes, animations and etc.) will be considered. ****


Contact:

I'm located at either MATY, Simbology or Insiminator if need be. :)


Chaavik