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.paf format questions

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Passerby007
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.paf format questions

Hi there. I'm very interested in all these portable softwares and think u guys had done a great job.

However, I'm not too sure how an application is being made into portable format and how did .paf came about. Can anyone please guide me along??

Thanks in advance.

Patrick Patience
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I...

Don't know much, but if you download one of the apps from this site, go the other folder, then the AppNameSource folder, and in there you will find, appname.nsi, you can view it in notepad, or download NSIS to create your own, that's th launcher I think, haha, and then there's some other stuff, again I don't know much, but check out the appname.nsi file until someone else replies. As for the PAF, I think it's just the directory structure and launcher format, I think it was just created by John T. Haller, creater of this site, and most of the apps. So yea, again, I don't know much, but check out that nsi file until somebody else responds and try to figure it out.
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Passerby007
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Then how do I make .paf

Then how do I make .paf applications??

Thanks in advance.

Patrick Patience
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As far as I know.

You write up a NSI launcher. I have no idea what to do about the registry entries, which is part of the PAF. So for the launcher and directory sturcture, just make it the same directory stucture as any of the apps on this site, and the launcher, you'de have to change for your app. I don't know what to do if the app requires install either. In like 8 hours or so Ryan McCue should be on the forums, he might reply to this, or John Haller. Or any one else on there forums that knows how to truly create .paf.

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ZachHudock
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.paf is just an added file

.paf is just an added file extension, its main purpose is to distinguish the portableapp installers from other files.

The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705

Patrick Patience
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Actually.

I have an idea. Go download the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS)

After downloading, go download one of these apps in beta release, they would be the easiest to make I think...

There is the Virtual Magnifying Glass Portable

Which is an app which probally wouldn't require any install in the first place and I don't think any registry entries. Maybe a few.

And THEN, there's a launcher for Microsoft's "On-Screen Keyboard".

There are both made by John T. Haller. I'm sure the launcher would be fairly easy to make. So what yoy should do, it open up one. (Prefer the On-Screen...) after downloading, and go to its folder, then under other click on appnamesource, and under that, you'll find appname.nsi, just open that up in NSIS by either drag and drop, or going in the NSIS program File->Load Script, and then find the appname.nsi I just said.

Check out how it's written for the On-Screen Keyboard launcher, and then check out the directory stucture of the it. That's part of the portable apps format. Maybe try yourself making a launcher for a program you already have. (Something simple of course). Maybe the calculator in Windows.

Hope this helps. Night.
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Ryan McCue
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.

Patrick was right Wink
Right, back on subject:

The PortableApps Format (or PAF) is based on the directory structure and extractor.
PAF compliant apps must have the following directory structure:

[appname]\
+App\
-+AppInfo\
--appinfo.ini
--appicon1.ico
-+DefaultData\
-+[baseappname]\
+Data\

e.g. If this was AbiWord Portable, [appname] would be AbiWordPortable and [baseappname] would be abiword.
You may have any directory structure under App\[baseappname]\ and Data\
For future updates etc. you must have appinfo.ini and appicon1.ico

Now the extractor.
The extractor is a self-extracting archive made by 7-Zip. This may then be hacked with ResHacker or similar program to edit the icon or dialog text.
The extractor must contain the [appname] directory.
In future PAF specifications, this extractor will be an NSIS installer.

Any questions?
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Cube Games
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Klonk
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Is this directory structure now fixed?

If yes than I'll integrate it into my portable application template.
Other directorey structures are not supported anymore (as some time ago)?

Passerby007
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thanks guys, will take a

thanks guys, will take a look at the stuffs which u all had mentioned.

but is it possible to convert most applications to .paf format??

Ryan McCue
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Nope

If it's already portable, I'd say 45% would convert easily.
If it's not already portable, I'd say 5% would convert easily.
What app are you thinking about?
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Ryan McCue
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If you have any questions about the comment above, or anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Espreon
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Well I just add the .paf

before the .exe because if one tries to install my apps with PAM they don;t have to make PAM see plain .exe s so you could just do that if that is all ya want, but they won;t be true paf.exe s

As all of ya should know Microsoft is the Evil Empire, and Windows (a.k.a. Winblows or Windoze) is their greatest general, so please make a difference and install Linux or FreeBSD on your Winblows comp or buy a Mac.

http://www.freewebs.com/espreapps

Passerby007
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Actually I'm interested in

Actually I'm interested in looking at the overall picture of how portable apps work and how did the portable applications came about.

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