OUTDATED: see here for the current version
Application: Scribus
Category: Office
Description: Scribus is an open-source program that brings professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout.
License: Opensource
PAL: Launcher written using PAL
PAF Validation: Passes PADT PAF Validation with no errors
Download Scribus-ng Portable 1.4.0RC6 Development Test 3 [50.3MB download / 123.3MB-133.3MB installed]
(MD5: 2cefa104f07698a252928a5d5563bfb5)
Release Notes:
- 1.3.9 Development Test 1 (2010-12-11):
- Initial Release
- 1.3.9 Development Test 2 (2011-01-01):
- Fixed Appcompactor issue
- Updated to installer 2.0.8
- made extra fonts optional
- made ghostscript a plugin installer
- 1.3.9 Development Test 3 (2011-01-12): Fixed issue of only showing splashscreen
- 1.3.9 Development Test 4 (2011-01-14):
- fixed some small issues
- Changed name to Scribus-NG in keeping with common practice on other OS's
- 1.3.9 Development Test 5 (2011-01-23):
- fixed launcher issue
- built-in support for user templates & scripts
- 1.3.9 Development Test 6 (2011-02-02):
- fixed DirectoryMove incorrect launcher.ini entry
- 1.4.0RC1 Development Test 1 (2011-02-25):
- Updated base app to 1.4.0RC1
- changed location of Ghostscript plugin
- 1.4.0RC1 Development Test 2 (2011-02-25):
- fixed AppCompactor compacting of scribus.exe
- 1.4.0RC1 Development Test 3 (2011-03-01):
- fixed AppCompactor compacting of App/Scribus (note to self: don't compact this package at all!)
- 1.4.0RC3 Development Test 1 (2011-04-13):
- Fixed PAF Validation issues
- Updated base app to current version
- 1.4.0RC4 Development Test 1 (2011-06-06):
- Updated base app to current version
- 1.4.0RC5 Development Test 1 (2011-07-05):
- Updated base app to current version
- 1.4.0RC5 Development Test 2 (2011-07-12):
- Updated GS environment variable link to correctly use gswin32c or gswin64c
- 1.4.0RC6 Development Test 1 (2011-10-17):
- Updated base app to current version.
- 1.4.0RC6 Development Test 2 (2011-10-18):
- Added PortableApps font support
- Updated for Ghostscript Portable 9.04 Dev Test 2
- Updated to PAL 2.2 Beta 1
- 1.4.0RC6 Development Test 3 (2011-10-18):
- Re-generated launcher so that it finds Ghostscript properly
Known issues:
- I haven't tested how upgrading works from 1.3.9 OR 1.3.3.14 Please test so I can see what needs to be done.
- There appears to be an issue with Visual C++ Runtimes. I will look into this for the next Dev test
[EDIT 14-JUL-2011]: As these runtimes are not included with the default package, are they truly neccessary to be included?
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Man, you are fast! Thanks, I’ll commence testing with this one.
Btw, the Ghostscript link above leads to an error message:
Which of the three Ghostscript versions on your SF page should be used with 1.3.9 DT3?
The link is fixed. You should be using the first download for use with Scribus Portable (Test).
I cleaned out the old Scribus 1.3.9 folder on my portable drive and did a fresh install, using:
Ghostscript put itself into the
folder, but I moved it into
Unfortunately, it still shows the same behaviour as Scribus 1.3.9 DT2 — the splash screen appears, then nothing. Again, no process containing »Scribus« in its name.
Still working on a German-language Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3 and all updates up to — and including — today. (ScribusPortable 1.3.3.14 works okay.)
Anything else I can do to help this moving on?
Updated to Development Test 4. See above for details.
I don't see this anywhere on the Scribus site. What does the NG designate?
I know that Linux often historically liked to use cryptic names with abbreviations for their software, but I always thought that was an affectation.
I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.
Next Generation - I assume. It was called Scribus Test before to distinguish it from the other build (1.3.3.14). I find both names a little bit confusing as they seem just a technical aid to use different install paths. The builds are otherwise identified by their version number, so better use these as thread title? I was looking for 1.3.9 and was confused to find a new thread, partly because of ve4jhj's new (user-)name (congrats btw.).
This is correct. This designation is in place on linux systems to differentiate the beta version from the stable version.
I just installed Dev Test 4 and I'm getting the following error messages on startup:
When I click on "OK" it then repeats for [FileWrite2], [FileWrite3], and [FileWrite4]. After that the program seems to load and run normally, but I didn't really stress test it or anything.
I also noticed something else and I'm not sure if its related or not. I installed the Portable GhostScript 9 along with Scribus, but in "File -> Preferences -> External Programs" it was set by default to use the GhostScript on my local C: drive, not the portable one I had just installed.
I'm running XP Pro SP3 with admin rights.
I won't be able to fix this until tomorrow.
Yes, the Ghostscript issue is a result of this.
Updated to Development Test 5.
This fixed the problem with the last version and everything seems to be working great except for one thing. I noticed after upgrading to Dev Test 5 (installed over top of Dev Test 4) that the Portable Ghostscript that I had installed seemed to be gone. I re-installed it, and then just to double check I installed Dev Test 5 again (over top of itself). Sure enough, Ghostscript had pulled a vanishing act. I had changed a couple of things in preferences in Scribus and those remained, so my user settings stayed intact but Ghostscript would need a re-install every time you update.
Hi, Just downloaded and installed the Development Test 5 together with Ghostscript after reading that the problems from version 4 would be gone (the XML error-thing)
But all I get when I try to run the app is the Portable Apps "splash screen" that quickly pops up and then disappears...
- Nothing more.
I checked with DTask Manager open and what I get is something called _sp coming and going in the list of running applications.
I can't give you any specifics about the cumputer more than that it's Windows XP without Administrative rights (am at work).
Anything else I can check and in that case "how"?
(not having administrative rights that is)
I can't reproduce this. How long were you waiting after starting Scribusportable.exe? Please note that it takes a few seconds to load up after the splashscreen is displayed.
Another thought: What path are you installing to?
I've used Dev Test 5 now on two different machines with limited (non-admin) accounts in addition to my own home system with admin rights that are all running XP. Everything seems to be working fine, no problems at all.
How long I waited?
- Well... that kind of depends how you look at it... I tried it just before I posted, and It still hadn't started by the time I shut down my computer to go home at 5pm (CET).
I do understand why you're asking though, but I'm used to having to wait a bit longer for portable apps to start (Open Office, Gimp etc) because of all the "magic" that happens in the background so that's not the issue.
As for the path I just choose the default path that the installer gives me - in this case it's L:\PortableApps\Scribus-NGPortable and that's also where the ghostscript plugin went.
I'm running Portable apps off a partition on an external drive rather than from an usb-stick, but that shouldn't matter, right?
I tried again this morning - and this time I deleted everything Scribus in my Portable Apps-folder (had an older version as well), but the result was the same.
Is there any other app - being on a machine without admin rights - that I can use for "monitoring"/recording the processes to see what (if anything) else happens?
(Don't even know if that would help, but I'm quite eager to have an up to date Scribus with me at all times so I'll do what I can to help)
There's really nothing I can try if I want to figure this out?
Try a fresh install of Scribus NG Portable but don't install Ghostscript (for now), just to eliminate some kind of conflict as the cause of the problem.
Tried that, and it returned the same "error" (e.g. nothing).
Get the "Portable Apps" Splash screen, and nothing else.
Just for the fun of it I copied it to my local hard drive (C:) and got the following error: http://www.perspektiv.org/images/Scribus_error.jpg
Clicking "Ok" gives me the splash-screen and then again - Nothing.
I'm at a loss, since I can't reproduce it either. And you say this happens on any PC you try it on? Are there any external software common to all those PC's (like Anti-Virus/Security software)? Are you running a non-English locale? (Not that, that should matter but I'm just trying to figure out what's different about your setup).
No, it's not every PC I'm trying it on...
At home - running Windows 7 I don't have any problem at all, but at home is not where I need a portable version of Scribus. At home I have the "normal" version installed in three different computers (netbook with Linux Mint Debian, Laptop with Linux Mint 9 & Win XP, and my desktop computer with Windows 7 & Linux Mint Debian).
My problem is with the computer here at work that's running Windows XP. I don't have admin rights on it, and the Antivirus we have is MacAfee VirusScan Enterprise. The installed OS is in English, and I'm using a Swedish Keyboard.
Apart from that I have no idea on how to see exactly what happens "under the hood" to be able to figure out where it stops. Aren't there any interesting apps that I can run before attempting to start Scribus, and then go back to it after to see what happened?
Funny thing is that I've had no problems whatsoever with any of the portable apps I've tried to run, neither the ones from this site nor the one's I've downloaded elsewhere... it's just this one that beats me. (And I'm starting to feel like the proverbial pain in the *ss for not giving up on it with my questions/comments)
I'm just worried that this one will move on, get released and I'll be the only one left having problems...
I can try to run it later on today (when you're sleeping probably) on XP without admin rights and see what happens.
I think you'll be alright with the keyboard but you never know!
Maybe you could try temporarily disabling Mcafee (if that's possible).
I've fixed the directory move error, and I'm in the process of building the launcher to upload. I'm at a loss as to why the program won't run at all for you. I'll try to get ahold of an XP computer to try to and see if it happens for me as well.
Tested on XP SP3 with admin rights, runs fine. No files left behind. I didn't do a regshot, sorry.
I did have a question regarding Ghostscript though. Would there be a possibility to detect existing Ghostscript installations and use those if found? Or is that just complicating matters? I have Ghostscript installed on my computer as part of PDFCreator.
I didn't try to do a print preview but I did get a message about Ghostscript not being found so I assumed it just wouldn't work. Maybe I'll try it anyway (assuming the option is available) and see what happens.
Thanks for your work on this.
if you take a look at the launcher code, it is currently writing on launch the location of ghostscript as App/Ghostscript. It is possible to change this yourself, in the launcher, but I recommend against it. What you're asking for may be possible with custom code. I'll look into it.
I wouldn't break your back. It would be a "nice have" rather than a "must have". Since portability is the name of the game, then installing a portable Ghostscript does make sense.
Thanks for the response.
see above for release notes.
FYI 1.4.0 is close, available as RC1 from:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/scribus/files/scribus-devel/1.4.0.rc1/
You should probably focus on 1.4.0
Best regards,
Clearwater
Scribus-ng Portable 1.4.0RC1 is nearly here, just working on supporting upgrading from 1.3.9 & 1.3.3.14
Should be up in a few days, barring any unforeseen difficulties.
Sorry but while 1.3.9 is working on my home pc (XP) it does not on my work pc, any other portable apps does work. The scribus-ngportable.exe process starts but quickly terminates on work pc (XP as well).
Back on home pc it works again.
Best regards,
Clearwater
Can you give some more details? ie, did you change paths from computer to computer, user account type, etc.
Also note that 1.4.0RC1 Portable is on it's way, I'm just finishing up some nagging upgrade issues.
Hey
I didn't change anything on the USB-stick, and both computers are both running Windows XP, I have administrator rights on both computers.
Paths on the pc are not the same though as login name differs, but that should not be a problem with portable apps, unless Scribus still looks for my user account on the pc?
If I could only start Scribus from the command line and get some error messages?
Running Scribus-NGPortable.exe just results in Scribus-NGPortable.exe terminating after a few seconds without error messages.
Best regards,
Clearwater
Try running this debug build of Scribus Portable 1.4.0RC1: http://sourceforge.net/projects/scribusportable/files/1.4.0/Scribus-ngPo...
MD5: 50bef5ec76073d0636324b0fe6e576f9
Ignore the ghostscript message, it's not important right now.
Once it's run through, please post the contents of the debug log found in Data\debug.log, either here, using "pre" tags, or using pastebin.com
[EDIT: changed link to working copy]
@ClearWatter: Do you have Ghostscript 9 for Scribus-NG Portable installed with it? if so try another installation without, it could be something a Ghostscript problem that's crashing Scribus (IDK, lets just try and rule it out if it's not the problem)
@Gord Caswell: Is GDI+ included in this package? (I didn't see it when I checked, but it was only a cursory glance really) If not, could the lack of GDI+ on a computer cause this issue? (The Official Scribus wiki says it's a requirement on Windows)
~3D1T0R
Unless I've misread the Scribus documentation, GDI+ is only a requirement for Windows 2000, and furthermore, as it is not redistributable, according to the license terms on Microsoft's website for it, it is NOT, nor will ever be, included in this package.
That's what it looks like on their wiki, it was just the only thing I could find that they called a "system requirement" other than Windows 2000 or higher, so I though it might possibly have something to do with it.
~3D1T0R
Thanks, will install it at home, and run this installation at work as well monday, and report back.
If it does work at work, I will try with a clean install to see if will run at all on my work machine.
Best regards,
Clearwater
1.4.0RC1 debug does not work on any PC I tried it on.
Nnothing but the grey alpha warning splash screen appears - scribus.exe is running using 25 % of CPU time but nothing else happened for hours. The log file didnt grow either so I terminated scribus.exe:
http://pastebin.com/qCPqThrP
I also noticed this in PortableApps.comLauncherRuntimeData-Scribus-ngPortable.ini:
[PortableApps.comLauncher]
PluginsDir=C:\DOCUME~1\clearwater\LOKALE~1\Temp\nsg8F.tmp
Status=running
Thats on drive c:
I know it is just a temp dir, but if the program looks after this dir on another machine...
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Clearwater
I tried 1.4.0RC1 on Windows XP SP3 and it failed to work. Like others, I get the splash screen and then nothing. Curiously, the Scribus executable and the portable launcher are still listed in the task manager.
I'm wondering if this has to do with a conflict with PDFCreator (a PDF printer) which installs Ghostscript. I tried installing the latest version of PDFCreator including an updated version of Ghostscript but to no avail. I also have GhostScript Portable in the CommonFiles folder in my PortableApps directory.
I think the previous NG development version was working for me (prior to 1.4.0), but I have to admit I've kind of lost track of all the different versions of Scribus. Thus, it's possible I'm just confused. Although I believe I posted earlier in this thread about not having any problems, so whatever version was here before worked.
I found the problem, it was AppCompactor again. I've discovered that if I run AppCompactor against the Scribus directory, Scribus no longer runs. I have fixed this, and am reworking language switching. As soon as that is done, I will be posting dev test 3.
Good! Please make another debug build availble to us when it is ready, it is great that I can share the debug.log with you.
If I get the problem I experienced with 1.3.9 again, when this problem is solved.
Best regards,
Clearwater
Try the main build linked above. IF you still have issues, please let me know, and I can direct you to a debug build that might help.
Updated to 1.4.0.rc1 Development Test 3
This build works on my home pc. I will tell you if it works or not on my work PC tomorrow.
Best regards,
Clearwater
Good news. Worked flawlessly on my computer at work. I will test it a little more tomorrow, but it seems to be fine.
Best regards,
Clearwater
Updated to 1.4.0 RC4
1.4.RCs worked fine on clean vista but showed only splash screen on 2 XP's with SP3.
I installed vcredist_x86.exe from MS on both machines which solved that issue.
Best Regards
Baestein
I'll look into this.
Base app updated to RC5.
As I have updated GhostscriptPortable to properly use gswin32c/gswin64c, I updated the link in ScribusPortable as well.
Base app updated to RC6
[EDIT 18-OCT-2011] I haven't added support for the PortableApps fonts folder yet. Also note that the location of Documents, Scripts & Templates are currently hard-coded in the launcher.ini.
Any suggestion on how to hard-code these on install only would be appreciated. I know how to do the FileWrite stuff, just not sure how to give the default values on install.[EDIT 2 18-OCT-2011] Never mind, I think I figured it out.
Updated to RC6 Dev Test 2, see release notes above for details.
Updated with re-generated launcher & fixed path for Ghostscript - both needed for Ghostscript use.
I've dl'd it and am currently putting it thru its paces. What steps are necessary to finally get this to official? Are we waiting for Scribus to make a stable release of 1.4.0?
I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.
As far as I understand, we're waiting for the official release of 1.4.0 by the Scribus team. Based on a comment made on the Scribus Dev mailing list, it sounds like that may be the next release. In other words, no RC7, unless absolutely necessary. Of course, new apps ARE on hold here right now, so even if 1.4.0 is released, we may not get it out right away. Not officially, that is. I'll definitely have a dev test up.
Hi,
1.4.0 is official as of 01/01/12, does that mean that Scribus can be added now to the official list of Portableapps programs?
Happy new year
Yes, it's coming, and will be released officially soon.