This is for the portable apps that require a secondary download, but it fails, usually due to firewall issues, but sometimes other issues.
Is it possible to add a copy of the secondary download location to the portable application website as well as the error message window and/or the setup log in the installer(s) when a failure to download occurs?
As some firewalls automatically block websites for Skype, Bittorrent, etc. when the updater runs it will fail when it tries to download the second portion.
My company blocks the Skype downloads but I do use it for work occasionally and it runs fine through the firewall, go figure!
The error "The installer was unable to download Skype. The installation of the portable app will be incomplete without it. Please try installing again. (ERROR: Access Forbidden (403))"
A copy of the download locations and the correct filename to save the secondary file under would be helpful.
That information plus a TOR connection allowed me to download both files and install the app.
I was able to find the secondary location and correct filename by digging into the installer and viewing the INI file but this is a pain ITA.
An active or copyable URL link in the error messages regarding the failed download and the correct filename would greatly simplify this.
Another url for the relavant installer in question would be the cherry on top!
Kind regards,
Jestre
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We're exploring some options to be able to handle 3rd party downloads from online installers. Most users will be unable to download Skype or Google Chrome when at a location that actively blocks it (office, university). Tor isn't a sufficient workaround for the vast majority of users as it's quite clunky to get working and incredibly slow for downloads. Plus, distributing a Tor client with our installers or PA.c Platform will mean this website and our software being blocked for all our users in China as well as many other countries.
We'll likely be adding a fallback of some sort in upcoming releases for platform users so that it can hit an alternate download. We won't be building these into the individual PA.c installers, though.
We'll also likely be offering a paid option at some point to cover bandwidth costs and administration so users can download all apps and live download bits directly from high-capacity paid download servers we administer.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
John,
A couple easy options to simplify this for some users may be beneficial. Both the options below should be relatively easy to implement as they are just providing more explicit information either in an error message or on a webpage.
Regarding the alternate locations to download (mirrors) that is an awesome idea that could also be incorporated into either the webpage or the error log if directly activating that option would get you blocked.
The installer.ini file has the following line:
DownloadURL=http://download.skype.com/msi/SkypeSetup_6.21.0.104.msi
Will you post the DownloadURL address on your web page, https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/skype_portable#download_details?
I.E. modified experpt from your website with added (+) line,
Download Details
Publisher: Skype Technologies SA
+URL: download.skype.com/msi/SkypeSetup_6.21.0.104.msi
Date updated: 2014-10-07
I left off the http:// header so then you are not directly linking to that file which may be forbidden in some cases. If it is allowed then the whole URL would be best.
Also the original error log from the installer is shown below, can you change the "Downloading" line to:
"Downloading Skype... from http://download.skype.com/msi/SkypeSetup_6.21.0.104.msi"
-Original failure log:
Output folder: c:\#Apps\SkypePortable
Preparing to upgrade Skype Portable...
Create folder: C:\Users\dew\AppData\Local\Temp\nsxC7A3.tmp\Downloaded
Downloading Skype...
Installing Skype Portable...
Create folder: C:\Users\dew\AppData\Local\Temp\nsxC7A3.tmp\Downloaded
Downloading Skype...
Installing Skype Portable...
The installer was unable to download Skype. The installation of the portable app will be incomplete without it. Please try installing again. (ERROR: Access Forbidden (403))
Thanks,
Jestre
Movie Wisdom: Don't kick the monster!
Build mechanized armored assault suit to annihilate it, program robots to smash it, Shoot, Spear or even Throw something at it (preferably a grenade), but NEVER kick the monster!
NOTE: Doesn't apply to Black Belts
Adding such a line/link on the Apps' pages would be an investment of lots of future time updating it (manually) for every release, and if it ever gets forgotten, then it's worse than if it weren't there at all.
I believe John is planning to eventually change the site so that it will require less manual work for each release, at which point it might be something that John would consider, but for the time being I don't think it's feasible.
The change you're suggesting to the error message is likely more feasible, but I don't know how necessary it is, but that's up to John.
~3D1T0R
Probably the simplest way to get on TOR (under Windows) is to run the "Advanced Onion Router".
(which Pyromaniac was kind enough to make a Portable DevTest of.)
~3D1T0R