PortableApps.com is proud to announce the PortableApps.com Platform Version 12.0 Beta 1 release. This first beta in the 12.0 line is designed to test a new theme and menu layout change, updated branding that's more subtle and manual proxy support as well as begin our 'new beta every few days' march to 12.0 final later this month. Like previous releases, it has automated app updates, customizable folders (categories) in the menu, a full theming engine with multiple chrome styles, the Portable App Directory app store for automatic download and installation of portable apps, find-as-you-type search (just type / or F3) to easily find apps in your ever-growing collection, an improved updater, more-complete translations into more languages and lots more. If you'd like to see more features and functionality keep coming, please read a personal appeal from PortableApps.com founder John T. Haller to help! Read on for all the details...(permalink)
Existing users can automatically update by clicking Help - Check for Updates and getting a fast-install 1MB update patch if they have the beta channel enabled under the Advanced tab in Options.
Please read the update on the 12.0 Beta and Release schedule.New 12.0 Theme and Branding
For 12.0, we're simplifying the branding on the PortableApps.com Platform to make it more subtle and modern. The logo is also changed on the taskbar and system tray We're also introducing a new default theme that's more modern and clean with simplified iconography. The new theme is not yet complete, but we have included both a light and dark version, replacing the existing Default Light and Default Dark themes included in 11.0 stable. (Don't worry, we'll be bringing back the existing themes in an upcoming release for those who like them). The space at the top where the large PortableApps.com logo used to be will be used by an always-visible search bar in the final release which will have focus by default, enabling find-as-you-type search without the need for a hotkey. We recommend gray for folks testing out the new theme. It's still a work in progress and we're still finalizing the layout and colors, but we wanted our users to get a chance to look at what's coming.
New Manual Proxy Support
The PortableApps.com Platform has always had automated proxy support built-in, using the local PC's proxy settings and an "It Just Works" setup. But quite a few power users and corporate/university users wanted a custom option. It's live now in the Options window.
12.0 Roadmap, Stable In Time For The Holidays
12.0 will have multiple betas and we'll be releasing them quickly, with a new one coming every few days. When complete, 12.0 will feature built-in file associations (no more need for an add-on), improved themes, faster access to your most-used apps, improved Windows 7/8 integration, and lots more. 12.0 Stable will be landing later this month... in time for the holidays... so it's just around the corner!
We Need Your Help!
PortableApps.com needs your help to keep bringing you great software! To learn more, read a personal appeal from PortableApps.com founder John T. Haller. Now you can sponsor the PortableApps.com Platform and help us keep delivering awesome software for free. With options ranging from having your name included to a full-blown site-wide sponsorship, there's a good fit for everyone. Sponsor us today and be a part of the action!
We also accept donations of any size to help with development and hosting:
- Please help support PortableApps.com's development and hosting
Discussing The Release, Enhancements and Bug Reports
As there is much to discuss with this new release, we've separated out a few forum threads for discussing:
- Platform bug reports
- Default app organization settings and "smart" list sorting
- Language updates and changes
Download Today
You can download the beta version of the PortableApps.com Platform from the PortableApps.com Platform Beta page. Get it today!
Please note that any bug reports and feature requests go in the PortableApps.com Platform Bug Report and Feature Request Tracker.
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Comments
Sponsors and Newsletter
A few recent platform sponsors' names are not yet included in the About window as our PayPal report was delayed. Fear not, they will be in the next release.
We'll be sending the PortableApps.com Newsletter on Monday or Tuesday so folks don't miss it over the weekend.
If your favorite upcoming feature wasn't in today's beta, fear not, Beta 2 is nearly complete including a couple features that we needed to hold off on in Beta 1 due to some last minute issues. It's got a smaller feature set than we planned, so we'll be getting Beta 2 out as soon as possible!
I prefer the old theme
PortableApps is great, but personally (!) I regret the Theme-change. I know it's all personal preferences, the old theme identified PortableApps clearly as a "small" sub-environment.
If it's a theme-change, I assume the user will be able to choose for the old one ?
Don't get mistaken : PortableApps in it's functionality is superb !
All the best with your hand, don't forget to have a life, forget about those who get frustrated when a deadline isn't met. We should all unconditionally be happy with the great work you're doing !
Thank you so much !
Too early but nevertheless : Best wishes for 2013
It's still there
Take a look at the options window.
More visibility
I think you could make the Sponsors page of the website more visible. It's not linked in any sitewide page areas, nor in the Donate page, and not even in the Sponsor page.
Like it already
Not quite sure why I'm awake to download this, but I like the new aesthetic. It fits my Win 8 desktop very nicely. Thanks John and team!
Thanks
Glad you like it. We're going for something that will work with Windows 7 and 8 (but still work on Windows XP) as well as have a cleaner and lighter feel. It's not quite there yet and we've been doing small revisions daily. It will look a bit more refined in Beta 2 and have proper hover states on buttons and the like. I'm a bit bummed I had to pull a couple additional features last minute, but I think it's better to have it more stable now and bring them in in Beta 2 and 3.
new version
Yes a good Tach The Andre Exe as the 12.0 beta 3 because it is the 11.0 beta 3: (
Link Fixed
We've fixed the link. Sorry about that.
Not FIxed
Still points to download/test, instead of download/beta.
Also Fixed
The earlier one was about the link on the beta page. Both are fixed now.
works here
maybe your cache still has the old page?
Different Links
The link at the bottom of the story was still the wrong one when the user posted.
Yep
Yes, I meant the link at the bottom of the page (which is now fixed, thanks). Sorry, didn't realise the person above me (and John's subsequent post) was referring to another link to the one I was referring to
Need to know if/when translation begin, ... or i miss the email.
Need to know if/when translation begin, ... or i miss the email.
French translation = "GB" for "GigaBytes" not translated to "GO" for "GigaOctets".
Ok, ... i will wait the email, ...
Aesthetics look good...
1. Really like the flat theme. Very Windows 8. Even though I'm not running Windows 8, I like the PA menu with that style.
2. Tried the sixty portable apps I normally use and everything fine.
...role on Beta 2.
Many thanks for Beta 1.
Ditto
I agree with Graham's 2 points. I can't wait for Beta 2 and whenever app caching becomes available.
Added:
3.) The new Win8 flat look chops off the personal icon/image at the top. Didn't know if anyone else noticed.
Keep up the good work,
Al .........
Noticed
and not only that; the menu is repositioned a bit higher as well.
Yes
Yes it does chop off the personal pic, I noticed it too.
Norsk
In Norwegian, «Administrer programmer» becomes «Administrer |», even in small fonts. Maybe it is time to change it (to «Programmer»)?
Language Specific
It's supposed to be a translation of "Apps". So you'd need to submit the Norwegian equivalent as a new translation in the translation topic.
SubFolders
Does the new version support folders, at least corresponding to the "Categories" names, in order to organize the portable apps into folders? It's getting a MESS to have all the PortableApps in a single level in the PenDrive or HDD. At very least, a second level that could correspond to the Categories name, should be allowed.
Platform Organization
When you use the platform, there's no need to browse into the PortableApps directory to get at your apps. You can organize, sort and launch them in the menu. And, on the rare occasion you ever need to access the app files directly, you can right-click on the app in the PA.c Menu and select Explore Here.
Bug Reports
As stated in the story: Please note that any bug reports and feature requests go in the PortableApps.com Platform Bug Report and Feature Request Tracker.
Duplicate bug reports are removed as they are added to the tracker.
Branding
I have to say I liked the old branding better.
Now, the top of the menu looks empty, sad, no personality.
I was really hoping that lower right area would be used for plugins, such as time/date, weather, RSS, etc. Perhaps area where favorites would be listed.
Search
As mentioned in the release announcement, the top will be used for an always visible search box that will have focus by default, so you can bring up the menu and start typing. Cluttering up the small menu with things like weather and RSS feeds would be visually messy. Those things are far better left to desktop widgets.
I forgot about search box.
But make it look pretty
BTW... You are doing a fine job... But you know that already.
Two Cents
I think that extra space looks a little lonely... Maybe the app list should be made taller.
Love the snazzy new branding, by the way. Barely even noticed it two minutes into launch.
EDIT: Those Defaults need a little... oh, I don't know, DEPTH in the app list backgrounds.
feature of platform installer
maybe have a streamlined app store within the installer or make it an online installer with the options there used to be (one that was platform only, one that had the AbiWord and others, and the third one that had LibreOffice and others). make the installer small but an online installer is what i am trying to get at with the explanation. sorry if this is in the wrong section.
You Can Now
You can do that now just be installing, running once, and selecting the apps you want (all of which will then be downloaded and installed). For folks who want it, we'll be making some suites available via this process shortly.
nice
nice! keep up the awesome work
Don't want to be that guy,
Don't want to be that guy, but I noticed the plan was to have a beta every few days with 12.0 final scheduled by the end of the month, but I noticed it has been 13 days since BETA 1.
Has anything occurred that has caused a delay?
Rent
I've been otherwise occupied with paying the rent. Donations are back down to normal level, so I have to pay to keep the site running, too. I'm still prepping Beta 2. The updater database is already updated for some of the new features.
I understand, anyway, how
I understand, anyway, how often does the sponsors page get updated?
Release
It's updated with each release. We update the list in the About box at the same time. Unfortunately, when we went to do it for Beta 1, PayPal was having an outage. So, it'll be updated for Beta 2.
Developer
Hi, are you the only one who is developing the portable App Suite?
Maybe if the sourcecode of the App Suite is available some other could help developing.
It is available in only a few
It is available in only a few clicks from this page on SourceForge.
Thankxs
Hi Thankxs @Winterblood for the link, i am looking at the sourcecode, maybe i can rewrite some funktions for myself.
Today is Dec 18
Christmas is 1 week away. Can we assume that
"12.0 Stable will be landing later this month... in time for the holidays... so it's just around the corner!"
the holidays you were referring to were New Years day and Martin Luther King Jr day??
Patience!!
What exactly are you trying to accomplish with your snide comment? Do you have some life altering deadline to meet? One which can only be achieved by the release of an updated PAM? I can pretty safely assume that John is not just sitting on a new build and waiting to release it just for fun. He, like you I am sure, has a life to attend to.
"It will be ready when it is ready." - John T. Haller
"Our patience will achieve more than our force." - Edmund Burke
I think I can answer that.
The self imposed timelines for the release of the menus do seem to be missed more often that not. If it is a best endeavors development project why not just leave it at that, why add the pressure of release dates.
By appearing to commit to release dates you are raising the hopes of users and by constantly missing them users will feel frustrated and let down and as a result you will ( and always do ) attract negative comments on the projects.
I do not believe Ed P hopes to achieve anything, I believe he is expressing this feeling of frustration in the only way open to him.
I could be wrong but that is my opinion on his comments.
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." - Douglas Adams
Well said!
I agree that this is likely "the only way open to him" (or any of us for that matter) to express frustration/approval etc. I wasn't taking issue with the fact that he was expressing frustration. I was taking issue with the underhanded way he did it. In fact I too have posted a few comments inquiring after missed deadlines or status updates.
IMHO there is no point in saying something out of frustration in which the sole intent is to get under someones skin. This is akin to a grade-school spat in which one kid feels mistreated so he mistreats in return. Unfortunately the anonymity the internet affords us, also allows blog commenters to revert back to grade-school antics.
I say express your frustrations, but do so with two things in mind. Keep it respectful and constructive. And make sure you take the time to give praise where it is due as well. A little sugar with the spice never hurt anyone.
Thanks guys
It's tough to buy a Christmas present for someone you care about when the present doesn't get created. A wrapped USB stick is more fun to receive than a card that says when it's created I will buy one for you.
And yes I know it would be fine with version 11 and could be updated whenever 12 is completed but it just isn't the same IMO.
So yes, I was frustrated.
When I make plans to do something or be somewhere and it appears that I'm not going to make it I have no problem calling or emailing and telling people that I'm going to be late or not make it. To me it's just common courtesy.
Thanks for understanding.
YAWN ! ! ! Is this still going on?
- emphasis mine -
I seem to remember trying this approach only to get blamed for starting it! Despite simply trying to be informative rather than an aggressor. It was seriously taken the wrong way. Maybe some people don't like criticism even if it it's intention is to help?
Again, tried that, didn't work.
It's understood that there's more to life than PAM, but I stand by my original comment which has been repeated here.
That said, I think the team do a fantastic job and now I don't participate so much and just wait patiently. For those that moan, how would you like it to go back to the time when it often felt like the project had been abandoned as the updates were often a year or more apart?!
Two suggestions?
Thanks for another nice release.
I have two suggestion if it's possible to add your TODO list.
1. An option to save dowloaded .paf files (during update or new install)
2. An option to export/import app list. With ability to download and install apps in import list.
Beta 2 Delay, Update Coming - Cost/Injury Issue
My sincere apologies, but Beta 2 was delayed primarily due to needing to do more outside work to pay PortableApps.com's bills as well as my own. Our bandwidth costs have tripled in the last several months due to increasing userbase and constant new/update releases, many of which are freeware. Unfortunately, while our donation push was great for the couple months when we launched it, paying for our hosting for the first 2 months ever, donations have not stayed consistent with that. I was hoping donations would stay consistently higher to help offset things, but that has not been the case. So, I have had to take additional paid work to keep PA.c running.
In addition, I am currently nursing a torn ligament in my right hand and spent the last week having multiple doctor appointments with x-rays and (un-fun) MRIs taken. The injury has been ongoing but was only properly diagnosed this week. I was hoping to release Beta 2 shortly with an update on the status, but it appears that my previous comments of the delay are not visible enough.
Please let this serve as said update until I have time to post a more complete one after traveling upstate to see family today. My apologies again on the delay.
It's easy for users to forget
It's easy for users to forget that developers have a life of their own and things get in the way of their projects. Personally, I'm amazed you put so much time, effort and money into something and give it away!
I am, of course, glad you do, but in this day and age where money is fast becoming the new 'God' for western civilisations it's good to see. As I said above, you're doing a fantastic job and I feel bad not being able to donate. I have a low income and rely on your platform so much, I feel I owe it to you to give something back. When I can I will.
You've no need to apologize for anything other than the self-imposed release dates. They do keep going astray, but recently they've not been too far off the mark and have kept people interested.
I hope you don't see my comments as a 'dig' against you, that's really not my intention.
Wishing you all a great Christmas and New Year...
All the best
Scott
Couldn't agree more
Couldn't agree more with the person above. I don't even know how you're typing with that hand.
About saving installers
I had a thought that your upcoming feature to save installers locally rather than deleting them might save some/a lot of bandwidth (?)as users of PortableApps with lots of bandwidth to waste could host/distribute them to people with little or none.
Trusted affiliates who picked up regularly from you and then distributed for you to as many as they could.
Unless it's an issue of license (?) from the program providers of course and the possibility of downstream providers not always having the latest version of the updates.
Just a thought.
P.S I know all about doctors, MRI's, scans, needles (shudder) and unpaid development:):)
Not a bad idea, sort of like
Not a bad idea, sort of like a P2P system specifically for PA apps. As long as there's no way the installers could be modified by malicious code, either knowingly or unknowingly, that's a good idea.