We're in the process of updating the PortableApps.com Installer and Format to bring in a few bug fixes (2TB+ drive issues when used with the platform), features (automated/integrated file associations), and a new set of branding to modernize the look.
Rather than do the updates piecemeal as new versions come out, we're going to be updating all our apps at once, starting with each app as it is updated and moving on to older apps. For apps with no new features or functionality, they'll just be 'repacked' using the updated branding without a version number change. These apps will not be pushed out via the updater but will be pushed for new installs to the app store and downloads from the site.
We'll also be taking the opportunity to fix any residual small bugs within apps like the miscategorization of a few apps when used with the platform (for example, a couple games show up in the 'Other' category).
The result is that we're delaying the updates of a handful of apps for several days. This way, users won't need to download them twice back to back, especially all our users using the platform's built in updater, ultimately saving on bandwidth. Note that any apps where the base app new version fixes security vulnerabilities are being updated during this time for maximum security.
I hope everyone will understand this few day delay and enjoy the new features and look when we start rolling it out.
Thank you for your understanding, enthusiasm and support!
- John T. Haller's blog
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Comments
Woo..
I can't wait. Hope this runs smoothly for ya.
Nice
Ill hold off on my Scorched 3D release a bit until this update is out.
For apps that won't trigger
For apps that won't trigger an updater download, but for those of us who have them installed and want to update, how can we figure out an update is released?
Could it at least be posted in the update news, and the update date shown when trying to download the EXE be updated?
Single Post
We may do a single news story with information on all of them that were just repacked. The only thing you lose out on by not updating is a splash screen, though.
WOOT!
That's awesome news, John! I'll gladly wait for you to get that out to us. Thanks for all your hard work!!
Will the next version be
Will the next version be 2.0.10 ?
Great! I can't wait to see
Great! I can't wait to see the new branding.
Sure, we can wait! I'd also
Sure, we can wait! I'd also like to take this opportunity to convey my many thanks to you for the wonderful application you've brought to us. Appreciate all your hard work.
Installer and Branding Complete
The installer coding and branding update are now complete. The PortableApps.com Launcher updates are nearly complete. We will begin rolling out app updates of apps that don't use PAL Tuesday and PAL apps shortly thereafter.
Thanks for the update :-)
Thanks for the update
(and looking at the programs in the Outdated Official Portable Applications thread, tomorrow is going to be a busy day
Sweet
I know you have been working day and night on these updates John, can not wait to see the fruits of your labor. You work is often behind the scene But I for one appreciate all you have done for us here on PortableApps.com
Apps Building
The final PortableApps.com Installer 3.0 is built (branding, better local install support, improved Windows 7 taskbar notifications, etc) and the PortableApps.com Format 3.0 guidelines (file and protocol associations) are ready to go. No existing apps need any changes unless you want to take advantage of these new abilities. I've got the outdated apps building but am going to hold off until the morning to begin posting them all so I have time to type up a proper announcement of the new format.
cool
will be like having a Christmas Eve in April I can sleep tonight dreaming of what will be released tomorrow just like I did as a kid thinking about what would n=be under the tree lol
Great to hear
Great to hear that!
Any of the apps I've got in the works that could take advantage of the changes, I'll update, unless we want to wait for the next base app update to update them to with the new features?...so likely all of the following:
[EDIT] Added a little to what I'd written.
PAL Wait
I'm starting with non-PAL apps that are out of date and then PAL apps that are out of date. Then moving on to non-PAL apps that aren't out of date. And finally, PAL apps that aren't out of date. A new version of PAL with fixes for running from UNC paths and better handling multiple users attempting to launch from networked drives (among other things) is coming out in the coming days (kAlug and Chris are working on it now) and we'll need to update all PAL-based apps to that. So, updating an app to PAL right now (as in today, not next week or so when the updated version is out) isn't really advised. The existing custom launchers handle UNC paths, but PAL doesn't.
Sounds good
I'll wait for the PAL update to update any of those ones then. Makes my task list significantly shorter for the time being.
Cool
I'll be tracking which apps are updated within the updater DB with a special notation for ones which are updated to the new PA.c Format but still need the UNC-safe PAL when it is released as well.
Rebuilt
Scratch releasing today. I realized I forgot about one long-standing PA.c Installer bug that only affects a small subset of users, but affects them badly. The online installers breaking existing installs when downloads fail (example: You have Google Chrome Portable installed and are using the updater to update to the new version but Google is blocked while you're at work, so it attempts to update and leaves you with a broken install of GCP). I realized it while building Google Chrome Portable 18 and testing all the new features. So, I'm finalizing the code for that.
The following bugs are all fixed: 2TB+ install issues, installing locally to USERPROFILE, moving EULA to AppInfo, deprecated RTF EULAs, plugininstaller.ini moved to App\AppInfo, removed checkbox from license agreement page (now just click I agree), new branding, added "Run AppName Portable" to the finish screen (when used sans platform as that finish screen isn't used by platform users. skipped for plugin installers.), visual taskbar indication of installer building within Installer wizard on Windows 7 (useful for devs who build a lot of bigger installers in the background to know when they are done), visual taskbar indication of paused installer awaiting user input for a agreeing to license, error on attempting to install to Program Files, etc. The online installer bug should be fixed later tonight or early tomorrow. The PA.c Installer 3.0, Format 3.0 and the first apps including Google Chrome will then be released later tomorrow morning.
Thanks for all your work on
Thanks for all your work on the new installer and format! The last Fomrat revision was a while ago.
Wow
The more you speak the more I am salivating another day is worth the wait.....Heck nothing wrong with celebrating Boxer (Boxing never know what it is officailly called) Day lol Thanks for the fast update on the update
Test Build Available
As many more lines of code wound up being changed than originally planned, I've decided to post a quick test of the new installer build. Devs (and users), please give it a try and report your findings here: https://portableapps.com/node/31771
If no issues are found, we'll start rolling it our tomorrow as stable.