Yes placing the mods folder in a hidden folder makes real good sense if your a dumbass. My "Documents" folder is full of folders for games, that could have been used or the actual root dir of the game. They could also place a button in the mod menu screen that opens the mod folder. There is way to many people having difficulty with this when it could be made very simple.

scp 121,

assuming you have sins 1.191/entrenchment 1.051/diplomacy 1.01,  the Mods NEED to be placed here for xp
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-v1.191
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Entrenchment v1.051
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.011

or here for vista/windows 7
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-v1.191
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Entrenchment v1.051
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.011

NOTE the first two folders after the 'user name' are hidden , so to see them you must first click on 'tools' then 'folder options', then 'view', then click on 'show hidden files& folders' then click ok, then you will be able to browse your want to the folder. I suggest when you find the folder that you create a shortcut to it on the desktop

NOTE 2 the 'user name' in the above paths is your WINDOWS login user name, eg Administrator

and if the mod you want to use is from an EARLIER sins/entrenchment version place the mod in the mods folder FOR THAT version eg mods-entrenchment v1.03, then download and run my mods updater from the latest version archive which will have the same number as the vanilla sins version number, and AFTER updating the mod(s) to the current version for any mods of pre 1.04 entrenchment ALSO run the manifest maker on ENTITY manifests on EACH of the mods EXCEPT for total conversion mods

harpo