Renew 1.0.2
If you're upgrading from Renew 1.0.1 then you may need to download this directly.
http://www.myndlinksw.com/products/renew.dmg
I've been testing this build of Renew on Mac OS X 10.2 on my 400mhz Pismo Powerbook, I didn't run into any problems, so if you're using 10.2 and you experience any trouble please let me know.
A quick overview of what's currently going on... :)
A slew of applications were added to the database a few weeks ago (the size of the database almost doubled), you may have noticed this already while using 1.0.1.
This version takes advantage of some new features which I have added to the database which will help match your software. All the additions were from user requests so there is a good chance that
more of your software can be updated using Renew.
I am planning on trying out a new host (allegedly cheaper, faster servers, and more bandwidth!) in the next few weeks. It'll be going up at myndlink.com If you're interested in beta testing, please contact me at: beta@myndlinksw.com
The new site will feature a new forum (Invision), an integrated bug reporting and support center, a nice FAQ system and some other features which I'm still working on.
Additional desktop integration is coming. I can't say anyore than that now since VersionTracker would just try to copy.
I should mention that the trial serials will be expiring about seven days after this release is posted. Renew will continue to function after expiration, with the only limiting factor being that it will
only pay attention to a small number of your applications. $10 buys you a one year subscription to the service. The funds will be used to further the software. I'm currently looking at purchasing
MindVision FireStorm in order to simplify the installation, as well as a Stuffit license so that I can directly support .sit files from the installer. It also goes to fund hosting and bandwidth for
the website and database.
Stay tuned.
- PreferencePane
- More 10.2 fixes!
- 'Locate all applications on this Mac' will do just that, instead of requiring users to specify search paths.
I'm thinking about getting rid of Search Paths for the next release because I don't see a reason for them.
If you know of a reason why they shouldn't be banished, please email me and let me know!
- I've completely changed the multiple results sheet(s). Instead of 100+ sheets popping up at you, Renew will only display one sheet to you
at the end of the process. This sheet will display a list of applications which had multiple matches which Renew couldn't decide upon.
When you click on one of the applications in this list (on the left), you'll be presented with the matches for that app. I'm still not 100% happy with this arrangement
and I have several good ideas on where to take it from here. They should show themselves in one of the next few updates.
- I've also improved the business of matching applications. Previously, if multiple matches were returned for an application, it was sent
directly to a multiple items sheet. Now, I check for name matches before doing so. That has cut down a *lot* of the work for users, at least I think so.
Various other magic involved matching names.
- I fixed a nasty bug which I'm not sure was reported. If you ever had your application list suddenly disappear on you, that shouldn't happen anymore!
- Some new preferences will be showing up in the next release. I'm going to try to begin putting out releases on a more definite schedule. Depending on what I have ready to go in about 2-3 weeks,
the next release will be 1.0.3 or 1.1.
- After removing applications, the selection is cleared.
- Some code clean up.
- New users will now see a sheet pop down and ask them if they'd like to do a Find Applications.
- Update Application
- If you were noticing an 'Archived' folder in your Applications folder.. um, that has been turned off. :)
On the off chance that you really like having your updates archived, you can make this folder:
~/Library/Application Support/Renew/Archived
If you don't have that directory setup, Renew won't archive things for you.
- Bug fixed which prevented some downloads.
- Various tweaks to the installer engine. Cleaned up some code.
- SourceForge integration (sorta). SourceForge addresses will now automatically use the easynews mirror. I'm putting a preference in the next release to choose your preferred mirror.
For the plist hackers out there, I have included a hidden pref to change the mirror, add the key 'SourceForgeMirror' with string 'easynews.dl.' to the plist (for example).
(This isn't finished, not all files are available from all mirrors, so the next release will pay attention to your preferred mirror, then to the next mirror from that continent, and then
from any available mirror)
- After skipping versions, the selection is cleared.
- MenuExtra and Background Tool
- New graphic for 'No Updates Found'
- Modified 'No Updates Found' QuickCheck window so that it doesn't need to be resized.
- The next release will give the MenuExtra some more functionality.
- Database and Server
- Activating alternate name matching.
- Improved performance of some backend code.
That's it, I think! If you have any feedback, comments, suggestions, problems, requests, please don't hesitate to email me!