Multi-Application Updates

[bcaufield]

Our Company needs to keep a suite of applications up-to-date and are evaluating True Update for this purpose. I noticed that there is a multi-executable file update method, which leads me to believe that this may be possible. We also need to satisfy these additional requirements:

1) User's can choose which applications to update, ideally by listing the available apps and letting them check them off the ones they want.

2) The available apps list is based on what the user has already installed and their security level as determined by evaluating the return value from a C-style dll call.

3) The Server restricts the allowed extensions to known types such as ".txt" or ".exe". Unique extensions are not allowed. Filenames are similarly restricted to having predetermined prefixes.

4) The Server directory is determined by the user's security level, since some applications are publicly available while others are restricted. Secure folders also require a login dialog.

5) Ideally the user should also be able to install new tools (rather than updates). This should use a similar interface, with exception of how the available application list is generated.

What do you think? We have written a application that handles the majority of these requirements, but it is several years old and too slow, large and buggy to run on startup in silent mode. It would be great to purchase rather than re-write, since True Update seems like a well thought out solution.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Brian Caufield

[Mark]

Hi Beaufield,

Thanks for your interest in TrueUpdate 2.0; I will attempt to answer your questions as best I can:

1) You could accomplish this using a ListBox screen and setting the listbox to be a checklist box. You would probably want to determine which applications are installed on the users system and then populated the listbox dynamically, which should be possible using TrueUpdate 2.0's scripting engine.

2) You can call DLL functions in TrueUpdate 2.0 using the DLL.CallFunction() action.

3) I'm not exactly sure about this one, this seems to have more to do with how your configure your server then how you use TrueUpdate 2.0.

4) Again with this question I am not that sure what you seem to be describing browsing a server, which isn't how you would do things in TureUpdate 2.0. You can get your users to enter passwords using either an Edit Fields screen, or a Dialog.PasswordInput() action.

5) This is definitely possible using TrueUpdate 2.0, since in the installation case you would simply be launching another application.

I hope that this information has answered your questions Beaufield and given you a greater understanding of how TrueUpdate 2.0 works. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask.

[bcaufield]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for a quick and thorough reply. I am still wrestling with learning the scripting language and the capabilities of True Updates, but it's good to know that it can handle the bulk of my requirements.

I think you misunderstood my question about file names (#3). What I was trying to ask was is it possible to rename server side scripts. Our server does not allow the use of the "tsx" extension.

I also have another question: Does the XML plugin come with True Updates or do I have to buy your Setup Factory program to get this?

Thanks again.

Brian Caufield

[Mark]

Hi bcaufield,

The XML plugin is an action plugin that does not ship with any of our products and can be purchased here: http://www.autoplay.org/plugin/xml.php

As far as the file extensions are concerned, it is possible for you to build your project, rename your server file to have an appropriate file extension, upload it manually, download it manually at runtime, and then load it using the TrueUpdate.LoadServerFile() action.

However doing so would be a complicated process, and you would loose many of the automated features that make TrueUpdate 2.0 so easy to use. My suggestion would be to change the configuration of your servers (if possible) so that the TrueUpdate extensions (.ts1,.ts2,.ts3, and .tsx) are allowed.

[Mark]

Just a note, a colleague of mine mentioned the idea that you could possibly host your TrueUpdate server files on a separate server (one that allows their extensions) and get around the problem that way.

[bcaufield]

A lot of our applications are configured with XML files; will this plugin allow me to read and write these files with a script? I have written a small application that allows an installer to add, modify or remove XML elements, but it would be better if this feature was integrated into the application.

BTW, what are plugins written in? Is the API public?

I have also considered using another server to host files, but unfortunately in a paranoid defense-related corporate environment all servers must be locked down to the point of inflexiblity. External hosting is also possible, but then there is a reoccuring cost to sell to management. The only thing that is flexible these days are our developers!

Thanks again for your help.

Brian Caufield

[Brett]

- Yes, the XML plugin will fully allow you to manipulate XML files.

- The plugin API is here: http://www.indigorose.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3380

- The beauty of TrueUpdate is that there is no actual running server component. All you need is a place to host the files. A $10/month shared server from 1 and 1 or Tera-Byte should handle this kind of job with ease.