Was hoping the new platform would be offering a solution for this (haven't followed the beta and been using a different menu MOD upto now)
What I think is still the biggest PITA is that there's no access to the actual file properties of the programs listed on the menu.
This originates from the fact that program names never indicate whether it is the 32bit or the 64bit version of the same program if it comes with both.
As I travel between the two on a daily basis, I need to have both on the drive, so I very often end up with not being able to tell which is which as both versions show with the same program name.
Would it be possible to either indicate 64bit or 32bit directly when it scans for new files? If that would be too much trouble, then at least allow access to the actual file properties so I can more easily find out which executable a menu entry is pointing too? Since that also seems to be impossible.
(I don't like needing to dig into ini files or catalog files to find what I am looking for or by renaming executables and repeatedly refresh menus until I've identified which is which, seems a bit odd considering the menu is supposed to make usage easier...)
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All except for I think still one of our apps work on both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows. A few include both and will automatically select the appropriate one to install, most just include the 32-bit version which will work on 64-bit platforms too. See 64-bit Software: Where It Fits Into Portable Apps for more information.
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
It also is not an issue with programs which come as a single exe and just launch the appropriate module.
And it also is no problem when running a 32bit app on Win64. The problem is in the menu listing 2 or three times the same program name if it comes with separate exe's, and the steps I need to make to identify to which exe it's pointing, so I don't try clicking in vain on the one starting a 64bit version if I'm on the 32bit box.
Besides that, its plain confusing to see the same program name listed 2 or 3 times. And yes, I know I can rename them, but that still don't solve the initial problem of finding out which is which.
PS. not withstanding this, I'm sold on the new Platform
The way in which we support other apps is fairly basic: it just goes and reads the name from the executable. I don't believe we'll ever go adding this sort of a thing to it. Part of the reason for that is merely that some apps which include 32- and 64-bit versions will label their executables' names with (32-bit) or (64-bit) themselves. And 32-bit ones will work on 64-bit in general, and 32-bit apps are the significant majority of all the apps in existence for Windows. And also, the Platform is intended to target non-technical end users, who could well be off-put by such a thing (though I don't think it would be major at all).
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
Just realized, to understand my side of the issue it may be helpful to know that my pendrive doesn't just include PortableApps.com apps.
There's a substantial number of apps on there which are already 'portable' by themselves in that they don't need to write things to the system. As such, they do not conform to PortableApps.com standards, and as a result, the way most are packaged often results in the given scenario
I had this issue w/Ccleaner and Recuva. Here's what I did:
1) Drag-n-Drop the Application file for the 32bit version from it's folder to a file.
2) Refresh the applications in the PortableApps launcher.
3) Rename the remaining executable "XXX 64bit". (XXX = App's Name)
4) Return the 32bit executable to it's original location.
5) Refresh the applications in the PortableApps launcher.
6) Both are listed, however the 64bit version is now identified as such.
Hope this helps.
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