AutoPatcher 5.0 Info & Open Source Poll

[akaladis Veteran]

Hello people,

After several talks with AutoPatcher users here in Greece, I decided it's time to start coding AutoPatcher 5.0. Version 5 will be completely rewritten, due to major changes. It will not be released anytime soon, so please don?t ask for an ETA. Here?s what you should expecModular

AutoPatcher 5.0 will be module-based. There will be no central database. This means it could be downloaded in parts, but also, that updates will be much smallerBetter detection

Every module can specify its own detection criteria. For instance, hotfix modules will check for a certain registry value, which will indicate its presencNo more XML

That?s right. No more XML. Since we?re moving on to modules, XML really doesn?t heMultiple languagesguages

Each module can specify its language. This means that modules of multiple languages can coexist and AutoPatcher will only load the correMultiple operating systemsystems

Modules for different operating systems can coexist. AutoPatcher will only load that ones which apply to the running operatingAll-In-One solutionlution

You will be able to update any locale or version of Windows just by downloading the appropriate modules and running oNever download the same things twice twice

With AutoPatcher 5.0, you will no longer have to download things you already have. Just download the new modules and AutoPatcher will be happy.

Kind regards,

Antonis Kaladis

AutoPatcher/AutoStreamer Project Manager & Lead Developer

P.S. Vote in the Poll to help decide if AP5.0 should be open source or not!

[Steven]

with all that said.. lock the thread and sticky it. :p

[Chad]

Heh. Hey, what's the ETA on a release for this? Can I test the beta? When will the beta be out? Alpha?

There...now that all the stupid questions are out of the way, feel free to mingle ;)

[Kelsenellenelvian]

Will it still support customization?? I.E. adding in extras like nero.

[akaladis Veteran]

Kelsenellenelvian, yes, everything will remain plain text, fully customizable.

[akaladis Veteran]

With version 5.0 (autopatch 5.0 thread) being written from the ground up, it would be the best moment for an open source switch.

You vote!

Kind regards,

Antonis Kaladis

AutoPatcher/AutoStreamer Project Manager & Lead Developer

Edited November 11, 2004 by nw_raptor

[SteelTrepid]

What about security settings. Have you thought about more secure ways to verify the databases, etc.

[greg098]

cant wait...will be good to see how much it changes

[akaladis Veteran]

About security: Each module should be signed. If one or more modules fail the check there will be warnings.

greg, the most visible change will be the load sequence:

first it will load all modules, then it will sort them by priority, then use the ones that apply on the running OS (version & language).

of course, it will make it easier for everyone to download updates, since it will all be in modules :)

most new features will not be noticed until you start making your own modules :)

also, AutoPatcher 5.0 might be open source (poll)

[Premgenius]

nice

[caesar]

Looking forward for some screen shots and a beta test. :)

[FlishFun Veteran]

"AutoPatcher 5.0, finally making everyone happy.?" :laugh:h:

Also, threads merged. Might as well have it all in one place. :D:D

[itsnotabigtruck]

Why is my post gone?

[FlishFun Veteran]

Why is my post gone?

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Which post? I didn't remove any posts. :blink:

[PsiMoon314]

Hi Guys,

Autopatcher 5.0 sounds interesting and I look forward to seeing what will happen with this update.

In the mean time, will we see an Autopatcher XP 4.7 or will all future development now be on the 5.0 release?

I ask because there are now enough updates to warrent a new update, especially for XP SP2.

As for Open Source, that would be interesting; however if you guys can get some benefit for all the hard work you do, then I for one would not object to making AP subscription based! :D

It saves me enough time to make me want to buy it; if it was for sale that is.

If you guys were no longer interested in updating or maintaining APXP then I would say go Open Source and let someone else pick up the project.

Having said that; the ability to add our own Registry Fixes or Installing Applications easily would be very useful. If having access to the Source would allow me to do this better then it would be good to have that option.

As with many things in life there are pro's and con's to every plan and option! :happy:

Kind Regards

PsiMoon

[paratrupr]

Having said that; the ability to add our own Registry Fixes or Installing Applications easily would be very useful. If having access to the Source would allow me to do this better then it would be good to have that option.

584904343[/snapback]

:wacko:

You can do this now by entering either the Custom_Database option, or appending to the existing Full, Lite, and Ultralite db files.

[akaladis Veteran]

Well, making it open source doesn't mean I'm going to drop the project. I plan to keep my ?seat? as Project Manager & Lead Developer. I just believe that development will be done better and faster. Also, since I am 18, I believe there are many things I don?t know. That?s why I have always been a big fan of open source software. When AutoPatcher started, I said I wanted to keep the source to myself for a while, until we had a strong plan. I believe that time has come.

If people are interested in helping out with AutoPatcher 5.0, I am more than willing to open the source. Depending on the responses, I will decide if it?s worth it. If there are no volunteers, I see no point in opening the source.

Antonis

[Frank]

Instead of making it open source, why not get a few more developers to help ya out with the code. This way it will be done faster, and you can have more input on features and how to write them.

[Hurmoth]

I think it should be left the way it is IMO

[Hurmoth]

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=242656

584901822[/snapback]

Is this link working for anyone else?

[+theblazingangel MVC]

i think going open source is a good idea

im also only 18 and im starting to learn c++, id be really interested to see your code and id like to help out where i can.

going open source would give an opertunity to view the code of a real program and help out in a large project which is a good idea.

even if people like me dont do the main programming we can al least offer ideas and find bugs in the code and this will speed up development as you say.

and even if not much extra help is offered it still offers the chance for other programmers to learn from your code by being given the opertunity to see it. just depends on how much trouble it would be to make the code available.

[PsiMoon314]

Hi Paratrupr,

You can do this now by entering either the Custom_Database option, or appending to the existing Full, Lite, and Ultralite db files.

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I know that you can create custom databases; however on occations I have wished I could edit or amend the main databases.

In addition the "database editor" never really materalised so this was while not impossible by any means, not something which could really be done in 5 minutes.

Anyway the point I was really asking was about the future of the APXP 4.x series which doesn't seem to have been answered as yet :unsure:

Kind Regards

PsiMoon

[akaladis Veteran]

AP 4.x will continue to get minor fixes until 5.0

[BigFokker]

What language do you plan to use for version 5? Do you plan to move up to .Net or is the program staying VB6 (correct?) as in version 4?

[BuzzSaw]

Making AutoPatcher 5.0 open source will have its advantage and disadvantage.

Advantage:

*Get things done quicker (more people to help build a better program)

*Frequent updates

*More Input

*Will remain free as it is now

Disadvantage:

*Possibly someone ripping it off and claming it as one of there own work (not giving original credit to those who worked hard on it)

*Possibly someone charging the program or put spyware or adware to make a quick buck on it

*Potentially putting so many variants of the program on the net which might have virus, worms or other crap in it to those who don't know any better

Here are some examples of programs that have been ripped from other open source programs and modified in ways, charged, included spyware or adware or not including original credit.

NeoAudio (A clear rip off of CDex riddled with spyware)

Original Site: CDex

eMule++ (Rip off of eMule Plus. The site makes no mention of original credit and maybe modified in ways that may not be good according to the original author of eMule Plus mentioned at there site)

Original Site: eMule Plus

In my opinion I think it's a good idea to make it open source. Just have to accept the risks involved with making something open source. If anyone knows of any other open source programs that have been ripped, let me know because I want people to be aware of this so I can extend this list.

~Slaughter~