I was scrolling through my directory of PortableApps and I noticed that some apps (RegshotPortable) has 2 AppNamePortable.ini files. One in the Appdata/Launcher folder and the other in the Other/Source folder. Apps like Firefox Portable and the majority of other apps only have one AppNamePortable.ini file in the Source folder. I've also noticed that Regshot Portable has its splash screen in the Launcher folder, but Firefox (and most other apps) has its splash screen in the Source folder. Both apps are built with PortableApps Launcher Format 3.0.
The ini in the Launcher folder is the kind that the PortableApps Launcher needs to build the application, but the ini in the Source folder is User Customization.
I'm guessing that you are allowed to place the splash screen anywhere you'd like and that you can delete the Launcher folder after the application is built, it that correct? It would be useful to know.
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The INI file in App\AppInfo\Launcher still needs to be there, otherwise the launcher won't work.
Most of our older apps (like Firefox Portable) don't use PAL yet, so that's why they don't have that folder.
Previously known as kAlug.
So PortableApps use custom NSIS stuff instead of the launcher, right?
-PaperProjects Professional
on the complexity of the launcher and what needs to be achieved by the launcher
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss
The PortableApps.com Launcher (PAL) is written in NSIS, and ensures that common features needed by most apps are in a standardized format, as well as simplifying support for our portablization techniques.
There are still some apps which haven't been switched over to using PAL, such as Firefox, but we are in the process of switching most of those apps from using customized NSIS launchers to using PAL.
Also, unless there's a very good reason for it, we generally don't accept new apps for inclusion as official apps unless they use PAL. However, that's on a case-by-case basis.
I see why they wouldn't want to include other Portable Apps, seeing that most of the removed links on this forum are illegally packaged ThinApp (Thinstall) Applications. I've seen a packaged ThinApp FireFox, and it is not only awkward to use, has no user customization settings, and completely removes the benefits of open source. I'm so glad I discovered PortableApps and NSIS.