13 replies to this topic

[ViroMan]

I have no idea how many people are actually active here. In any case this is here for you guys and me.
I will order the list in priority later.

I want you guys to comment on requests too. If you think something has more priority, tell me.

If you have a request simplify it in the first sentence so that I can copy that sentence here. Then elaborate on it in the rest of your sentences(if it is needed). That way, I can look up your post to understand more.

example

Quote

Allow system profiling.
Define a system type then download updates for that system.

X next to star means done.

Requests so far:
* More then one download at same time. (viroman)
* Allow downloads from local network. (moorsey)
* Allow system profiling. (Guitar_Mike)
* Separate downloads into different OS types. (viroman)
* Compress Downloads into 7z/iso's for easy travel. (viroman)
* Echo To Log File(Guitar_Mike)
* Levels of Verbosity.[how much stuff goes into the log file] (viroman)
* Download all updates per selected OS types. (viroman)
* Pause/Resume downloads. (Shof) <- im not sure this can be done with current downloader... will look into it after release. Right now it can only stop after it downloads a file, then resume downloading other files when you say so.
* Multi language support using hot-load DLL's. [in other words I can make it show your language](viroman)
* "Fat32 Safe" check box when compressing files. (Cristiano)
X *Log file ALWAYS on. (viroman)
* Mark already downloaded. [have to modify release.list to add hash values for script files, should be done by script maintainers](Click_Click)

[Cristiano]

the current version of apup has an issue that doesn't allow apup downloads all the scripts at same time. long ago, erik said that this was due the size of the scripts be bigger than 4gb, but i'm not so sure of that, because all the scripts together don't have 4gb. still, there's some kind of issue in there. so, may be an idea check for that issue in this new one (in other words, avoid do the same mistake again)

as for "Compress Downloads into 7z/iso's for easy travel" is an good idea, but please remember that most of flash devices has FAT32 and this one has an limit for file size. if the user downloads all the scripts, then that limit may be reached. can be an idea create an option like "respect FAT32" for this option, where if the size of the whole thing is bigger than the limit, then auto-split

by the way: this area can be reached for all of those that was demoted from the team once, except maybe a few that was demoted straight to normal users

[]s

[ViroMan]

 Cristiano, on 20 July 2011 - 07:06 PM, said:

the current version of apup has an issue that doesn't allow apup downloads all the scripts at same time. long ago, erik said that this was due the size of the scripts be bigger than 4gb, but i'm not so sure of that, because all the scripts together don't have 4gb. still, there's some kind of issue in there. so, may be an idea check for that issue in this new one (in other words, avoid do the same mistake again)

I can't imagine script files being THAT huge. I believe that's incredibly unlikely to ever happen. I may be miss interpreting your statement though. Do you mean the files that the scripts tell apup to download or the actual scripts themselves being 4gb?

Cristiano said:

as for "Compress Downloads into 7z/iso's for easy travel" is an good idea, but please remember that most of flash devices has FAT32 and this one has an limit for file size. if the user downloads all the scripts, then that limit may be reached. can be an idea create an option like "respect FAT32" for this option, where if the size of the whole thing is bigger than the limit, then auto-split

well that was my reason for using 7z in there. It will auto span iso's if its too big for one iso.(when I mean iso I mean CD, DVD, bluray) but, I suppose a check box under the compression area that says fat32 safe would be ok.

Cristiano said:

by the way: this area can be reached for all of those that was demoted from the team once, except maybe a few that was demoted straight to normal users

Good, I put it in the non general area because I wanted ideas from people who have been working with the project and thus would have a better understanding of the improvement needs.

[Cristiano]

> Do you mean the files that the scripts tell apup to download or the actual scripts themselves being 4gb?
that issue was happening when the user selects all the scripts to be downloaded at same time. erik said that the amount to be downloaded had more than 4gb. at that time, i didn't had all the scripts, but last time that i've checked, they didn't had that size when mixed into an single folder. so, as an wild guess, that issue was happening due the number of files that was being downloaded. an similar issue happened with the first version of apup, because the first scripts was downloading module by module. i'm not sure of that because i wasn't here at that time. when the project was kicked from neowin, most of lost contact. i don't remember if was renato or antonis that found me again, but when i've discovered that the project resumed, apup was downloading compressed modules

> I suppose a check box under the compression area that says fat32 safe would be ok
yep. don't forget that certain ISO's has about 8GB

[]s

[ViroMan]

click_click sent me a message saying:

Quote

The only thing I miss, is being able to sort the APUP columns so I can easily see what has been updated.

So, if we can get the code maintainers to start putting hash values for the scripts they maintain into the release list I can tell if something has been already downloaded and mark it as such for your viewing pleasure.
Example

Name=AutoPatcher for Windows 7 SP1 (x86)
Date=20110628
DetectFile=seven_x86_sp1.rti
DetectHash=<!!!PUT "seven_x86_sp1.rti" HASH HERE!!!>
WindowsVersion=SEVEN_X86_SP1
SystemLanguage=ANY
OfficeVersion=ANY
OfficeLanguage=ANY
Script=http://www.autopatcher.com/releases/seven/autopatcher_seven_x86_sp1_20110628.script
Size=Calculating
APUPVersion=1.3

ohh and another thing... see where it says Size=Calculating.... can you guys please put the size in there. APUP shows the size and seeing calculating makes people think its working and will sit there for a while and wait for it to finish something it never will. Hell I did that myself.

[Cristiano]

that it's easy to do. it's just an small change into the releases.list

oh yes... don't forget about that ability to change the default releases.list location. this can help a lot if due some reason the ftp password changes to an more restricted one

i really hate when i'm awaken before than i should... 3 shots was given nearby 1h ago and just now the police is investigating the issue...

[]s

[ViroMan]

Seems as though I have exhausted the ideas in this area I will move it to public area now.

[Cristiano]

seems an good idea. just a few comment things in here

[]s

[RileyM3]

Would an updated module tool be something available later on? It would be nice to have one for adding your own apps/updates, even though they would technically be unsigned/unsupported. It would need to have the ability to generate modules and scripts. There's a program called md5deep which should be able to generate md5 and sha1 checksums which would be helpful when creating scripts.

Obviously, this will need to wait until the new APUP is ready.

Also, would open sourcing APUP2 be something available for consideration? Perhaps there are other AutoPatcher users who would be willing to contribute code and check for bugs, etc if that were to happen.

As for keeping the project alive, perhaps a network-enabled version could be a paid version for network admins to use with a special set of features. If pricing is reasonable, that could provide a serious boost in funds for the project.

Keep up the great work!

[ViroMan]

We have talked a little about open sourcing the code.. it would need the approval of the original creators. While technically I have thrown away quite a bit of code and refactored the rest... they own the name and idea. Let alone there is so much that needs to be cleaned up before I am willing to open it up to public eyes.

As for making your own modules... we already have a program for that... its mainly used for the people who maintain our scripts although I don't really see any harm in letting others use it.

As for paying to have a more advanced version of apup... I wouldn't want to do something like that.. unless the site gets desperate(which it may). In the spirit of the original idea... apup and all its abilities should be free for everyone to use.

[RileyM3]

I am all for keeping apup free for anyone to use. My reason for mentioning a paid version was only because many team members seem to have resigned...if there is a way to keep the project alive without ads on the site, or other nuisances, that would be a very good thing.

Is apup still written in VB6, or was it converted to another language? On the "Viroman's Beta Application" thread, I could swear there was a mention of 'code conversion'. On the other hand, screenshots of apup 1.0.3.22 appear to indicate VB6...plus the mention of the icon being a default one from Borland. Perhaps I misinterpreted the phrase 'code conversion' ?

Finally, were there any updates to the curl library, or an update to the 7za.exe for unzipping .7z archives?

apup2 is looking good! Looking forward to it =)

[ViroMan]

Quote

I am all for keeping apup free for anyone to use. My reason for mentioning a paid version was only because many team members seem to have resigned...if there is a way to keep the project alive without ads on the site, or other nuisances, that would be a very good thing.

True, ads are a nuisance but, they are vital for keeping the apup site up and apup free. Thats why even though I have Firefox with AdBlock Plus I have it set off for this site so the ads still load. I do that for any site that I respect that needs cash flow.

Quote

Is apup still written in VB6, or was it converted to another language? On the "Viroman's Beta Application" thread, I could swear there was a mention of 'code conversion'. On the other hand, screenshots of apup 1.0.3.22 appear to indicate VB6...plus the mention of the icon being a default one from Borland. Perhaps I misinterpreted the phrase 'code conversion' ?

Apup was converted to C++ with alot of my sweat and time. Borland can not do VB6 as far as I know... at least not the Borland C++ builder 6 that I have. The reason it looks the way it does is to make it look like the old one.

Quote

Finally, were there any updates to the curl library, or an update to the 7za.exe for unzipping .7z archives?

The Curl library is gone, in its place is Indy code. A free set of codes you can find HERE. I created a DLL that can be used by apup so that future code maintainers don't have to install Indy if they don't want to in order to recompile apup.
The 7za.exe is still external at the moment but, there are plans to make that internal as well.

[RileyM3]

I would like to ask if the team thinks these two things are viable improvements:
1: Have Adobe Flash, Shockwave, Reader, and AIR all be on their own release in the list.
Right now, Flash and Shockwave are under Extras, and Reader and AIR have their own individual releases.
If there was a single release that contained all of these items, would that be better or worse?
2: Would it be a massive undertaking to have each release download to its own folder?
Or would it be changes in APUP without having to redo a bunch of scripts?

[ViroMan]

They are in their own releases so that people do not need to download so much at once. People who do not have a fast connection, think lower speed dsl, dial up(yuck), or are download limited, won't be able to download such large downloads in one chunk. Perhaps they do not even want to have the others as there is no need.

You can create your own scripts by just opening up the different scripts and coping them all into one. I am working on sweeper to add a personal rti type thing so sweeper won't remove personal downloads.