AutoPatcher December Update Wishlist

[aitf311]

Anyone who wants to know how to remove Outlook Express and/or MSN Messenger msg me...i cant post the link in this forum..

[Carey934]

Anyone who wants to know how to remove Outlook Express and/or MSN Messenger msg me...i cant post the link in this forum..

I can understand the reason to get rid of the annoying MSN Messenger, but why in the world would anyone want to remove Outlook Express? Just don't use it. At least it doesn't load on it's own at every opportunity like that darn MSN Messenger!

I'm sorry, I just don't understand why anyone would want to remove optional functionality. It doesn't save much hard drive space, it doesn't improve performance... all it accomplishes is that it puts needless limitations on what you can do with Windows.

Carey

[aitf311]

Im not one to remove that stuff, but the reason is pretty simple....to save space on the install cd...so you can fit all the patches....if you dont use it, why keep it..

[freakyfriday]

is it possible that you people could release this on the first day of month?

[FlishFun Veteran]

is it possible that you people could release this on the first day of month?

Was talked about. Some wanted on the first day... others on the last. So I'm goin' for the middle road and shooting for Dec 15th. :)

[freakyfriday]

so whats included in this update?

[FlishFun Veteran]

so whats included in this update?

A lot of updates to the UI, also a new menu, new way the files are stored, new file types (.apdb and .axp), Triple Database Detection, new Icon, new Banner, and more. As for update, there are the newest Microsoft Updates, along with a few more Regtweaks and such. I'll have a specific list up in the next few days. :)

[AndyD]

A lot of updates to the UI, also a new menu, new way the files are stored, new file types (.apdb and .axp), Triple Database Detection, new Icon, new Banner, and more. As for update, there are the newest Microsoft Updates, along with a few more Regtweaks and such. I'll have a specific list up in the next few days. :)

Will it recognize whether or not the November patch has been used?

[FlishFun Veteran]

Will it recognize whether or not the November patch has been used?

Yes, when it starts it will look for a log that the Nov Update makes when run, it will then ask if you'd like to deselect the options you had installed before. :)

[itsnotabigtruck]

@the VIA driver discussion: If you haven't noticed on the main Neowin page, they released new drivers to correct the delayed write error issue. It says if you experienced that problem you should install them in Safe mode.

[Oblivion]

FlishFun should i wait for the December update or should i download the November update as i just re-installed my system today.

[AndyD]

Yes, when it starts it will look for a log that the Nov Update makes when run, it will then ask if you'd like to deselect the options you had installed before. :)

good stuff :)

[FlishFun Veteran]

FlishFun should i wait for the December update or should i download the November update as i just re-installed my system today.

I'd say download the November, and then when I release the Dec Update, just download the Updater and update it. :) Or you can wait. It's really up to you... though to be on the safe side I'd go with the Nov first right now. :)

[AndyD]

I'd say download the November, and then when I release the Dec Update, just download the Updater and update it. :) Or you can wait. It's really up to you... though to be on the safe side I'd go with the Nov first right now. :)

so there will be both a standalone and a upgrade to dec from november??

[FlishFun Veteran]

so there will be both a standalone and a upgrade to dec from november??

Correct. There will be the 180-odd MB full Standalone release, then a much smaller "Upgrade" that will upgrade existing November Installs to December. :)

[FlishFun Veteran]

Quick note, anyone who wants to know why this will be released around the 15th can look at this:

Microsoft Monthly Patch-fest on Dec 9th

This was I can grab all the new patches and integrate them for release with the AutoPatcher. Microsoft says they will now be making monthly update releases, so the AutoPatcher releases will be shortly behind them. :)

[akaladis Veteran]

looks like MS is almost helping AutoPatcher out :D Now we will always have the latest patches :D

/Raptor

[FlishFun Veteran]

looks like MS is almost helping AutoPatcher out :D Now we will always have the latest patches :D

/Raptor

Yep! Good ol' Microsoft helpin' us out! :D And congrats on your 1000th post. Knew you'd get there eventually. ;)

[raid517]

Hi I would like to see autopatcher XP have some sort of ability to quickly and easily build a custom Windows XP ISO. That is, I would like autopatcher XP to come with all of the appropriate switches for a large selection of software applications, thereby only leaving the user to fill the folders with the appropriate .exe and msi files, with perhaps some guidance notes where special instructions need to be taken into account.

Just a thought......

Q

[acetken]

That'd be AWESOME, raid! I don't think it'd come any time soon though...

Is there anything that does this already?

[FlishFun Veteran]

That'd be AWESOME, raid! I don't think it'd come any time soon though...

Is there anything that does this already?

Well, we don't have that... but we currently have someone workin' on a unattended install tool. Check the progress here: Unofficial Unattended Install Tool

[HotBlack]

Okay here is my one list of suggestions in no particular order:

# Maybe there should be two versions A lite with just updates and a Full with all Bounus software. Although a more modular system could be done as simply as having more extractor files [such as AutoPatcher Core (windows critical updates, reg tweaks) Microsoft Extras (msn messenger, powertoys, etc)] just extract in the same folder as the autopatcher and then make the installer detect which modules are installed in some way.

# Detect already installed components.

# All the batch files and install packages got put into seperate own directorys.

# Some way to fiddle with what services are enabled/disabled, with good advice for confused users.

# Windows media diagnostic tool from hxxp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c33b924e-a2ae-4f22-93ea-287753c52926&DisplayLang=en

# DzSoft Favorite Search 1.03 IE Plug-in, freeware from hxxp://www.dzsoft.com/favseek.htm I don't know if silent install is possible. {the main reason is I like this one, it is a plug-in and IE spell checker is included.

# Google Toolbar 2.0 for very similar reasons.

# Total copy 1.1 which somebody pointed you at before.

# Microsoft Tweakomatic Utility also posted before, that readme is brilliant.

# MS Baseline Security Analyser 1.1.1 from hxxp://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/tools/mbsahome.asp really a quite essential componenet of XP.

# Attribute Changer 5.21 is a freeware shell extension which lets you right click on files and change their attributes. Its at hxxp://www.petges.com

# Folder size shell extension 3.2 is a similar shell extension that shows a tree of folder sizes. Its at hxxp://space.dolphin.free.fr/Windows/dfolder.html

# Startup CPL 2.8 from hxxp://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml is almost essential I find.

# MS Script Debugger 1.0 hxxp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2f465be0-94fd-4569-b3c4-dffdf19ccd99&DisplayLang=en - seems an odd omission given that windows script is there.

# Windows Speech Engine stuff, I don't know much about this but things like more voices and the like, I know there are some good freeware ones. MS Agent stuff?

# HighMAT Extension for the Windows XP CD Writing Wizard 1.1 - from the highmat site

# OpenGL Extension Viewer 2.06 is the openGL equivalent of the DirectX control Panel applet, at hxxp://www.realtech-vr.com/glview/

# Longer explanations of whats is being installed or what a give reg fix does. (I know this is pain but would make it better for new users)

# Microsoft Reader perhaps, although I use it so rarely.

# Now this one is only on the list cause I like it and many of you will probably not have heard of it: Catfood Fortune Cookies 2.10 from hxxp://www.catfood.net/products/fortune/ it offers free registry if you use it. All it does is pop up a litte unix style qoute of day when XP has loaded.

# How about making the boxes on the installation menu grey out when they are not expanded and some of the options are unchecked? That way a user can know at a glance if a whole tree is selected or only parts of that tree.

#

Oh yes I also think no to trillian.

A codec pack but which??? I like K-lite but I know many people differ on this. Same goes for a notepad replacment, I like EmEditor, but many will disagree.

Deamon Tools is also tempting, with the plugin that lets you mount images with a right click on the image file.

Oh yes and its great already btw. :

[FlishFun Veteran]

Wow! First let me welcome you to Neowin! :D Second, let's go through your suggestions:

01. As it is right now, we aren't going to make it modular per se like you have explained... but we have made some interesting changes to how it reads multiple database files.

02. The Dec Update now has that functionality.

03. The files have been moved around and the batch files and everything are nice and seperate.

04. I was considering making a "Services" section where people can turn off un-needed Services, though that may have to wait till the Jan update.

05. I'll look into that tool, I hadn't ever heard of a diag tool for WMP.

06. I'll look into that, but we have an IE Spell Checker already...

07. A lot have recommended Google Toolbar, I've yet to make up my mind on that one.

8. Total Copy is also somthing that was mentioned that I'm not sure about yet (though it is useful).

09. The Microsoft Tweakomatic Utility will be included.

10. The MS Baseline Security Analyser will also be included.

11. I've never heard of Attribute Changer 5.21, so I'll check it out.

12. As with the one above, I've never heard of Folder size shell extension 3.2, but I'll check it out too.

13. A few people have asked for Startup CPL and I'm still thinking about it.

14. I didn't realize that the MS Script Debugger existed... it will be included (plus, it's quite small).

15. I was looking for things for the speech engine, but I couldn't find any decent ones from MS.

16. HighMat will be included.

17. I will look into the OpenGL Extension Viewer 2.06.

18. The Dec Update will have better explanations for the Tweaks and such.

19. I've been thinking about MS Reader (personally I use it now and then), but I'm not sure if I'll include it or not.

20. Hmmm... Catfood Fortune Cookies 2.10 is new to me... I'll look at it, but no promises. lol

21. We really would like to make the boxes grey out when some aren't checked, we just can't figure out how to do it (Raptor says it can't be done).

22. No, I won't be adding Trillian or any other messengers besides the ones that are already there.

23. Not sure on the Codec pack myself... I'm still working on that one.

Phew... well there ya go! :D

[HotBlack]

06: DzSoft Favorite Search 1.03 IE Plug-in, freeware from hxxp://www.dzsoft.com/favseek.htm I don't know if silent install is possible. {the main reason is I like this one, it is a plug-in and IE spell checker is included.

06. I'll look into that, but we have an IE Spell Checker already...

15: This page hxxp://nextup.com/TextAloud/SpeechEngine/voices.html seems to be quite a good list of what voices you can get.

sorry I meant to say is kinda in the same class as IE Spell Checker.

IE Spell Checker is not included.

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry about the huge list.

Edited December 4, 2003 by HotBlack

[FlishFun Veteran]

06: DzSoft Favorite Search 1.03 IE Plug-in, freeware from hxxp://www.dzsoft.com/favseek.htm I don't know if silent install is possible. {the main reason is I like this one, it is a plug-in and IE spell checker is included.

06. I'll look into that, but we have an IE Spell Checker already...

sorry I meant to say is kinda in the same class as IE Spell Checker.

IE Spell Checker is not included.

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry about the huge list.

Ah, that's okay... big lists are better than nothing at all. :) And I'll still look at the rest. (Y)