MoDaCo - Automatic Application Update Check (App2Date?)

[m@rkc]

Paul over at MoDaCo is starting to get some interest in a new application he's developing - basically it involves developers providing some XML with their installer that ties in with some similar XML on the applications' download page on their web server.

When a new version is released, the XML on the download page is updated, "App2Date" will check the download server and you'll be able to see that a new version is available.......

AstraWare, Developer One and S-K-Tool have already expressed an interest in making their software work with "App2Date".......what are you waiting for!?!?!

I'll stop babbling, this is what Paul posted over at MoDaCo "App2Date"

I have a dream! OK, so it's not quite as ground breaking as some other dreams of our time, but it's a dream none the less. It goes something like this...

I have a whole bunch of software on my device. Probably 15 apps at least. I also write software, which is downloaded by a fair few people, both commercial and free. I like to ensure that my software on my device is up to date with the latest versions, and it's a right pain in the ****. Not only that, I'd like my end users to have the latest versions installed to get the best possible experience... and to facilitate that I have to write a custom update checker into each of my applications. Fine for big apps, not great for quickly rustled up apps or tweaks.

But there could be another way.

What if you could have an application that lived on the device, that wasn't tied to any one application or vendor, that could check for updates for everything installed on your device? IMHO, that would be awesome. A dream. For such an approach to work, you'd need a few things...
Someone to write the update application, and to develop it. A community project perhaps?
The update application MUST be FREE for end users and developers
The update application MUST be easy for developers to plug in to
The application needs to be used by end users!
Freeware developers need to use the application!
Commercial developers need to use the application!
Now here comes the audience participation part - if you are a user, would you like to see such an application? If you are a developer - either freeware or commercial - would you like - and would you use - such an application? Make your voice heard here, and if there's an appetite for this, let's make it happen! I'll be updating this topic to list developers who would like to be involved.

Oh, I forgot to mention... I've basically written the update application! It's simple, has plenty of scope for future development, can update itself (of course) and in order to be used by a 3rd party, just needs an XML file dropped into the updater directory from your install CAB, and a current version XML on your server!

Beautiful! The response to this topic will determine how much time I spend on getting it production ready

P

Lend your support to this - with all the updates for various applications flying around, it's an almost impossible task to know if you're running the latest and greatest version - hopefully it will grow into a REALLY useful tool.

Thanks for listening

Mark.

[neilm]

Now if this could be got to work with the main players it would be a very welcome additon to the PPC utilities! Even if it onl;y worked with half the developers

[windows]

Good idea indeed, just forwarded the link to WebIS!

[gemblaster]

This would totaly rock, as it is a pain to keep current with every app!

POWER TO YA!
GB