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Wakoopa as a software update notifier
What about the possibility to make Wakoopa a software update scanner, as well? There are not many programs for this purpose and few of them are work well. Wakoopa may become the long waited solution.
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I can see this being added to your dashboard as an extra service. However, version information is often not easy extractable and, if it is, incorrect or in a weird format. So there are some difficulties we need to pass first.
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We are happy to announce that we have implemented software updates. However, we are still testing it and would really like your feedback first before we launch a beta for everybody. Your software updates can now be found at wakoopa.com/updates. If you also want to receive software update alerts via the tracker and on your dashboard, then please send us an email with your username. Thanks in advance, and hope to hear from you.
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Would be good if, as has been said, it was optional, and if it had the flexibility and intelligence that current products lack that stops me using them, mainly to avoid the various sorts of false positive, some of which have been mentioned already, such as:
Version 0.99 is available! But I have Version 0.100 which is newer.
A newer version is available! But not for my OS.
A newer version of a driver is available! But not for the hardware I have, just newer models.
A newer version has been used, but it's not really 'available'.
Also I should be able to tell it 'sure there's a newer version available, but it's no longer freeware, I don't want it'.
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It's a great idea but I've seen many fail miserably at the task.
Do it well, I recommend, as a software developer for Windows myself, that you don't bloat up the tracker. You don't need to notify the user about the updates, but instead, simply let them visit a page on the dashboard that lists all the software that has 'confirmed' updates available for download!
I’m pleased about this idea if it is done well!
4 people think
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No , Please seperate the Tracker to Updater, We dont want a bulky software sitting in the System Tray, PLEASE!!!
We love Wakoopa, for its simplicity
I’m Rejecting
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I've been discussing this over on FriendFeed. I'd recommend looking into FileHippo's software updater http://cli.gs/0pWgqu :¬)
I’m interested to see how this goes
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Create a customer community for your own organization
Plans starting at $19/month
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Inappropriate?Perhaps you could integrate with (or buy out or sell to :) Software Informer? Their tool has this focus. From my review at http://wakoopa.com/software/software-...
"Looks at all installed software rather than running software, and focuses on updates rather than use. Provides forums for user-based Q&A. Not as pretty or social as Wakoopa, but results in a bigger list of watched software."
I’m mashing up!
2 people think
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Inappropriate?I can see this being added to your dashboard as an extra service. However, version information is often not easy extractable and, if it is, incorrect or in a weird format. So there are some difficulties we need to pass first.
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You should also take into consideration that developers (like myself) will run test builds of software before it's officially released, which could lead to confusion if an update is announced that isn't actually available.
I would suggest that the product description would have to be updated with the new version info before it be announced. -
Inappropriate?I've been discussing this over on FriendFeed. I'd recommend looking into FileHippo's software updater http://cli.gs/0pWgqu :¬)
I’m interested to see how this goes
4 people think
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Inappropriate?Yes something like http://www.kcsoftwares.com/?sumo but integrated with wakoopa. Would be awesome! Perhaps buy it?
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sumo is actually kind of crappy and useless - don't give you the link for downloading the update, so what's the point of detecting your software is outdated, if you don't tell the user how to update? Besides an adware is included in Sumo install package (ESET: "Adware.Agent.NMA")
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Inappropriate?@Wouter: On OSX, version information is easy to extract. Other platforms, not so much. But on OSX, there's already AppFresh- but it'd be great to get update notifications of the software I actually use, instead of everything I've got sitting in a folder on the off chance I need it someday.
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If you have an app sitting in a folder that you want to hide from AppFresh, or the 'open with' contextual menu, just make a .dmg of the .app.
(Or a .zip archive if you prefer, but I find .dmg more efficient for this.) -
Inappropriate?@t3knomanser Good point, as I stated before, we're definitely considering it. You're right to say that versions on Mac are a bit more easy than versions on Windows. But, if it were easy, then it wouldn't be a lot of fun to make, right?
So concluding: we're considering it and looking at all the options. Thanks for the great feedback!
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Inappropriate?No , Please seperate the Tracker to Updater, We dont want a bulky software sitting in the System Tray, PLEASE!!!
We love Wakoopa, for its simplicity
I’m Rejecting
3 people think
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You have a point. I have a pretty old PC and my system RAM is precious to me. Right now I'm happy with the current state of affairs and think any future updater be an additional download.
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There is no need to be seperate. Wakoopa as it is, reports version numbers to the site. Site can then send back alerts to the (already implemented) alert system Wakoopa client has, about new versions as they become available (or at least when site registers that people use a version newer than yours). When you land on the Wakoopa page, there can be a download link for latest version and that's it!
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I agree with both Gosay and Saxtus--if adding update notifications to the tracker would bulk it up then I say no, however Saxtus makes a good point that the update notification need not involve any changes to the tracker at all--it could be handled entirely on the server end (it already knows what apps we're running and what the latest versions are); all it need do is push out an alert that is picked up by the tracker saying "A new version of xxx may be available" or something.
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I also dislike the idea of a software update notifier - mainly because I have experimented other update notifiers like UpdateStar and Software Informer, and found that I did not actually use them. If you go ahead and add it as a feature, please at least allow uninterested users to disable it!
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I would have to place myself here with the opposes to the idea. but if you do deside to do it. please make it an option and not required feature
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Inappropriate?It's a great idea but I've seen many fail miserably at the task.
Do it well, I recommend, as a software developer for Windows myself, that you don't bloat up the tracker. You don't need to notify the user about the updates, but instead, simply let them visit a page on the dashboard that lists all the software that has 'confirmed' updates available for download!
I’m pleased about this idea if it is done well!
4 people think
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I like the idea with the page but I would insist that it has an RSS feed. There could be a page for beta-s, alpha-s, etc with its own feed and another page for stable releases, with another feed. I am one of those users who want to be notified. :)
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RSS would be great! Think about it, if you use Windows Vista's sidebar just a glance to the right of your desktop would tell you that there is an application update available!
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Inappropriate?For the 'alpha versions/internal builds', why not ignore the new version until over 5%? of users have manually updated.
There would also have to be a simple way of preventing programs such as Windows Explorer from claiming an update, because you don't have vista/windows 7.
I’m confident
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Inappropriate?I really like this idea! Would be awesome if I don't have to update from versiontracker anymore.
I’m excited
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Inappropriate?Another idea I've had is that you could allow developers to report the program's most recent version instead of looking for it in the application it self. That would avoid notifying users of a invalid update. For applications that don't have their current version explicitly set by the developer use aggregate information to notify other users that the majority of fellow users have a later version.
I’m liking this idea even more
1 person thinks
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Inappropriate?I like the idea of involving developers in this. You can then use their feature releases as the main source and fall back on our own collected data and possibly other sources to determine the latest version.
If you have any more suggestions on this topic, we'd love to hear them!
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If you want to involve developers, perhaps you should investigate PAD files, and allow a pad file url to be associated with a program. Pad files are kind of like a developer-published rss feed for software (shareware mainly) that would indicate the latest version as given by the developer.
Make it optional of course, or if u really wanted to be adventurous you could come up with your own specification that developers could host... just some thoughts. -
PAD files are a bit more Windows-focused. The Mac equivalent for PAD files are appcasts. These appcasts are also based on RSS and contain release information. The appcast for the Wakoopa tracker for instance can be found here. These feeds can definitely be used for (additional) version information.
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Some .NET applications include application manifests. You can read the application info out of these, but I'm a .NET developer and I don't include the manifest in my installation files. Some .NET developers may though, just a thought.
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Inappropriate?You may not need to extract version information from applications at all. Use the tracker to identify new forms of the program that appear majority of computers. MD5 could be used to compare files, I don't know much about the technology but it's used to validate downloaded files.
I’m enjoying helping such a great service like Wakoopa.
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Inappropriate?Including the developers is good but what would be even better is including the software users themselves!
Users could submit new version information just like the way their allowed to help maintain application information on Wakoopa.
Moderators could check the information to make sure it's valid, but make sure you use CAPTCHA to prevent trolls from uploading false information that leads users to update their software to a virus.
Another security measure would be to always make sure the update download comes from the developer's own website or a trusted mirror, don't just allow anyone to upload an EXE file to Wakoopa.
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I truly believe that Wakoopa should act as a news bringer and not as a file mirror.
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I agree a more wiki-style approach is ideal, but with some safeguards. Also files are never actually uploaded to Wakoopa--they're just linked-to.
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Yes, files should never be uploaded to Wakoopa from users computers. As I said, Wakoopa should only link to files on trusted websites. This would include the developer's website itself and any trusted mirrors they may use to distribute their software.
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Inappropriate?Secunia has applications of this sort - both online and downloadable. They work reasonably well detecting info for some apps, but have several difficulties with many others. All the Secunia software version checkers are very resource intensive applications and I don't think it would be possible to add the feature to Wakoopia without considerable strain on the typical user's system resources. Wakoopia is a nice app precisely because of its low-level footprint ... it doesn't need the bloat.2 Comments Add a comment
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As a programmer I don't believe it would bloat it up that much, depends how the Wakoopa team design it.
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As a programmer I don't believe it would bloat it up that much, depends how the Wakoopa team design it.
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Inappropriate?I'm pleased to let all of you know that we will start developing this feature this week. You could expect to get version updates (incl. downloads & changelogs) on Wakoopa early next year. The tracker won't get bloated at all, and the updates will be delivered to you in the easiest way possible (but other then that, I'm not spoiling anything ;) ).
Because we feel that we can't do this without developers, they will be able to log into their own dashboard and claim applications on Wakoopa. There they can add PAD/appcast feeds or manually update version numbers and downloads. If you'd like to help test this dashboard, send me a message on robert at [wakoopa dot com].
We think this could be a huge step forward in how much value we can give to you, the software users. What do you think?
I’m excited
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Excellent! Sounds great and I'm excited to be able to "claim" apps that I've written.
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Nice, but I think you should check this. Apple is the one behind the Finder, not some random halve zool who tries to be cool and clicks "claim" at every app he sees.
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Nice, but I think you should check this. Apple is the one behind the Finder, not some random halve zool who tries to be cool and clicks "claim" at every app he sees.
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Inappropriate?We should be able to block specific applications from the notification service because sometimes we don't care to update something that we barely use or may be mandatory to stay in a specific old version.
I’m excited
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Or simply design it in such a way as to be non-intrusive, so we can see that an update is available, but not have it pop up something annoyingly every time we turn on our machine. ;)
I'm sure you guys will do a good job with that, though, and am excited to see what you come up with! -
We're thinking of just making this another alert, and current alerts don't bother you at all. However, if you're in a mood to update your system, there will probably be a separate section for you on the site to check out, or even a panel inside the tracker perhaps.
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Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. Alerts are very non-intrusive.
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Inappropriate?Brilliant! Just brilliant! I'm extremely happy you've taken this idea on Wakoopa! If there's anything I can do to help just let me know! I'm quite willing to trail the developer's dashboard as well. I'm sure you will do a good job, but I'm just wondering how you will verify that the developer who claims a application is the real deal???
I’m extremely pleased!
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I'm curious about that too. I certainly wouldn't want other people claiming my programs; but on the other hand don't want it to be overly difficult to claim programs that are mine.
Perhaps you could allow the developer to post some file to their web server that would indicate the username of the Wakoopa account that is "attached" to the app. Presumably only the company would be able to add files to their domain. -
Good idea Logan, but how's Wakoopa going to know that the application is tied to a specific domain? I guess they could do it the way they always have, user submissions with moderators checking the information!
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Yeah, there's always some little catch, eh? Also, not every developer will necessarily have their own domain or even web site.
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Inappropriate?That's a great idea! I would really like to know when new versions of the apps I use come out.
I’m excited
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Inappropriate?If I still remember there is a "feeds" for latest software version number in the profile page. I cant find it anymore
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Inappropriate?Until this feature arrives (if ever), AppFresh is another useful updating solution for Mac users.
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Inappropriate?Just thought I'd share an update solution for Windows users here. There's a security scanner called Secunia PSI that scans your system for vulnerable software. It's essentially an update checker but also warns of end-of-life apps or up to date apps that have known vulnerabilities.
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Inappropriate?Yes, but I think that it should definitely be optional, or at least not included in the Linux version (most Linux distros use repositories).
I’m indifferent
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Inappropriate?Would be good if, as has been said, it was optional, and if it had the flexibility and intelligence that current products lack that stops me using them, mainly to avoid the various sorts of false positive, some of which have been mentioned already, such as:
Version 0.99 is available! But I have Version 0.100 which is newer.
A newer version is available! But not for my OS.
A newer version of a driver is available! But not for the hardware I have, just newer models.
A newer version has been used, but it's not really 'available'.
Also I should be able to tell it 'sure there's a newer version available, but it's no longer freeware, I don't want it'.
I’m happy
3 people think
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Inappropriate?We are happy to announce that we have implemented software updates. However, we are still testing it and would really like your feedback first before we launch a beta for everybody. Your software updates can now be found at wakoopa.com/updates. If you also want to receive software update alerts via the tracker and on your dashboard, then please send us an email with your username. Thanks in advance, and hope to hear from you.
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http://wakoopa.com/updates - 404 Page not found
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Not working... didn't found updates
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Inappropriate?You should send e-mail first :) and then you'll have access to updates, I assume.
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?You can now also turn on alerts yourself, by going to your alert settings. Unfortunately the wakoopa.com/updates link wasn't directly accessible. We changed that just a minute ago. Sorry for that.1 Comment Add a comment
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Filehippo results: 4 Updated Detected & 3 Beta Updates
Wakoopa results: Everything seems to be up-to-date! -
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Inappropriate?so far it seems to have the usual issues these things have, e.g. I have Firefox 3.5.2, the latest proper release, and it's telling me 3.5.3 is available, and the download link takes me to a page offering 3.5.2. - presumably 3.5.3 is available in alphas or betas.
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Inappropriate?Thank you Wakoopa :o)
Could you support PortableApps to provide their files (prior to official release) while we may download new release ?
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?It looks very good as it is now - the way Beatlevic announces it at the top and the way it looks as a beta (I take it the links to new versions are dummies since they aren't correct). I like to get the update info both in my profile and in the tracker alerts. MAYBE THE UPDATE ALERTS SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM OTHER ALERTS!?
I’m looking forward to try out a working version.
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Inappropriate?Update Notifier detects 8 updates available on my PC (Google Desktop, K-Lite Codec Pack, MediaMonkey, MS Silverlight, OpenOffice, Orbit Downloader, Secunia PSI, Skype) and Wakoopa : 0
Still some work to be done! but I do like the interface and I'm looking forward to see it fully developped. Please also add a "check now" or "refresh" button on the "update" webpage.
I’m looking forward to use a official release soon!
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