For me, the PA platform is fantastic and unprecedented for Windows!
I have been longing for a unified platform like for Linux. This is it!
I wish it could cover more apps, especially those made portable already
by distributors, such as Jdownloader, DC++. PA does not need to
repack or host a copy for downloading, but need to manage the update
info just like the others. I think it is much easier to get agreement with
distributors. Thanks a million!
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We are not trying to make a generic app platform; we are focusing on portable apps. You can use any apps which provide an executable in their root directory in the Platform; beyond that, we have no intention of doing any sort of update management. It's entirely unreasonable and overly complex. Once apps are in PortableApps.com Format, it's feasible to do it. Then concerning updates they can submit their apps to us for inclusion.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Take a look at http://portablelinuxapps.org/
"It's just an online installer. It's not going to mug you.", JTH
"The shell is the key to unlock Linux's greatest advantages."
There's a reason why we repack "portable" zip apps. Most of them are a disaster in terms of actual portability, file structure, upgradeability, etc. Not to mention handling automatic integration with the platform, automatic checking for updates The details are here:
https://portableapps.com/about/what_is_a_portable_app#whypaf
But apps don't have to be in PA.c Format for you to add them to the PA.c Platform. It's as simple as putting them in the right place:
https://portableapps.com/support/portable_apps_suite#addingotherapps
The PA.c Format is an open standard that's open source and open to everyone. It's the world's most popular portable software format and platform and more publishers are coming on board every day. We prefer to have publishers package and host themselves so it's under their control, especially since the packages work with or without our platform (losing the all the integrated features like easy backup, auto-updates, etc if you don't use the platform, of course).
I believe there is already a development test build of DC++ up in the forums and JDownloader will be packaged soon after we finalize Java handling in the platform.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thanks for all the replies. I understand the complexity of a generic app platform,
and the difficulty of any unification for the free software. But any such intention or
occurrence will be beneficial to the end users. PA should be a platform people
can do most everyday work on.
For now, PA platform as an app organizer is too weak, e.g. no category. I do not
see the point of adding other portables to it.
Thanks!
Ah, that's a separate issue. Categories will be arriving very soon now in the main platform in beta form (so-called because not all translations will be done to other languages for the feature) and the updater will be added as 'stable'. The ability to add apps with just a few clicks without even opening your browser will also be added in beta form (also due to translations needed). All that will tie together nicely with PortableApps.com Format and the PortableApps.com Installers, allowing you to organize, add, remove, update, backup, restore and manage all your apps using a single utility.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!