OK... Pestalence (thanks!!!) has spent a lot of time and energy making all of this simpler with something called the OP Enhancement Pack v3.0. So, here is the letter he sent me and a link to his simplified way to accomplish a lot of what I did above...
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Just to let you know.. all a player needs to do is install SFC OP and use the Enhancement Pack v3.0 and then set their ports, update their Video Dirvers, and make sure they have DirectX 9.0c and finally set up their ports..
here is the listing of what OP Enhancement Installs :
Total Package Install Content :
SFC OP Patch v2552 Full Installer (out of Box SFC OP installation only)
SFC OP Bonus add on (Taldren Bonus install CD Content)
OP + v4.0 Shiplist installers by Firesoul
EAW to OP Conversion scripts with *.MCT single player setup files by Firesoul
Sulu Bonus EAW to OP conversion scripts by Firesoul
Complete Evil Dave OP Mission scripts by Nuclear Wessels
EEK Dynaverse mission package by Karnak including the EEK *.MCT single player campaign files
OP + and Standard Fighterlist.txt and shiplist.txt as converted by Karnak for use with the EEK mission scripts in single player (located in Assets\Specs\EEK Shiplist)
OP Patrol Scripts v4.1 and Convoy Raid mission by Tracey Greenough
Dynaverse 2 Model Pack by P81 and Atrahasis
Co-OP Ace Script v4.0 as modified by Firesoul
Sector Assault v1.1 for Orion Pirates by MagnumMan
EZ-INI game set up utility by MagnumMan
ShipEdit EAW and Shipedit OP by EagleEye Softwae Group
Fests + v1.1 by Firesoul
SFC-OP mini-updater created 11-06-2004 by Firesoul
In game Model Testing Script v1.23 for single race by Firesoul
In game Model Testing Script v1.00 for all races by Firesoul
In game Model Testing Script v1.00 for bases only on all races by Firesoul
Taldren Model Viewer by Taldren
Centauri Vaughn's Fleet Pick 2.A
Centauri Vaughn's Team Starfleet Battles 3.0 Mission Pack
Strat's Mod Chooser v6.5
Dynaverse Server IP correction *.gf file
Custom conquest campaign *.mct files for single player by Pestalence using Nuclear Wessels scripts.
Conquest campaigns now utilizing the Conquest game map and conquest MetaMap.gf file as fixed by Pestalence.
EAW to OP Custom Single Player campaign *.mct files created by Pestalence which incorporate Nuclear Wessels scripts into the EAW to OP conversion.
Any other credits are included in the additional readme.txt files installed for NW OP Missions, OP + installation, and EEK OP Missions in
the main Starfleet Command Orion Pirates Directory.
As you can see.. to get the game into a playable state, all they need is the OP Enhancement Package v3.0
then when they want to join a server, they can use the server specific installer and then run Mod Chooser and save it to an empty slot...
basically OP Enhancement is a one stop shop for OP.. and so long as the servers are using the latest version of the mission scripts, then they only need an installer that does not contain scripts (to save HDD space)..
Anyhow.. as you can see it alreeady contains EZ-INI, ShipEdit (both EAW and OP version) the Dynaverse fix, the mini-updater, OP + v4.0, Co-Op v4.0 etc..
all the player need do after installing it is to check their drivers and make sure they have Direct X 9.0c and to configure ports if using a router and / or firewall.
Hope that this helps.
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163352009.0.html