Interested? Update-Notifier for Addons

Hi all together!


I've posted this thread in German there as well: https://omnibussimulator.forumieren.com/t4021-interesse-updater-fur-addons
But because the international community has grown a lot, I also want to hear YOUR opinion about the following thing.

I've just had an idea in my head, and I thought I could spontaneously ask you, users and addon creators, for your opinion

The problem about addons (maps, objects, maybe busses soon as well?) is always, that bugs are fixed in the next versions. But many users don't notice that there's an update available, and thus use the old version with bugs and problems.
I think this is a pity and not very "handy", with my idea you could probably solve this problem

I would be able to write a software that searches automatically for updates for installed addons - if there are some available, the user could be notified or redirected to the download website.
This would be realized like this: The creator of the addon would add a small file with a special file extension (not planned exactly yet), with this file the addon would be noticed by the update notifier.
On a little website, addon creators would have the possibility to enter the newest version and the download link for their addons.
The software would then search the OMSI directory for addons regularly and search for updates - and notify the user if there are newer versions available.

My question is, before starting to develop this software:

What do you think about it, you like the idea, you think it's not necessary?
Please give me your opinion by voting and writing a short post

I'm doing this survey because for a project like this I would definitely need the support of the addon creators - because these are the persons who would have to fit up their addons for this project

I'm waiting for your answers, guys

Jan

I say yes. I was looking forward for an update to Ronsdorf (it's there now, but I first found out yesterday eve) and I didn't notice that it was there.

This would be a great feature - again, yes from me!

Yes great idea. From the user and the addon developer perspectives.

Cheers,

Its a great idea, you have my support

You have my support!
Go ahead and make that software!

I don't know...first we must create enough adoons and next create update-notifier...whatever it's very good idea !

FRENZYMAX_RUS schrieb:

I don't know...first we must create enough adoons and next create update-notifier...whatever it's very good idea !

Don't forget that the developer has to include a tiny file into his addon in order to make it visible for the Addon Manager... so, the other way round: The earlier the software is out, the earlier the developers can make their addons ready

I also want to keep YOU up-to-date, so these are the news:

The software is already doing its job quite well, uninstaller is not finished yet, and some smaller parts are missing. Also, the web interface is not complete yet.

That's what the web interface for developers looks like, this is the list of your projects (add-ons):


For example, if I'd like to release a newer version of Bad Kinzau, I would quickly change the information in this form:


The changes are applied immediately, which means that every user all over the world who searches for updates will be notified.

As you can see in the navigation on the left, a small help forum for developers will be included.
But if everything goes well, then Addon Manager will get a small bilingual section in this forum where users can ask and answer questions.

By the way: The Addon Manager itself is bilingual (DE and EN), but other languages are easy to include. If someone would like to translate it, please contact me - it's really easy.
The web interface is English, documentation will be available in German and English.

Hi,

Good concept! very helpful.

A few English corrections for Image 2:

'Pay especially attention' should be - 'Pay special attention'

And

'Please remind that' should be - 'Please remember that'

Just some advice to improve your product

Keep up the nice work
Freeman

Looking good! Can't wait.
Freeman beat me to it with the two grammar corrections

As I'm not a native speaker, things like that can happen very often - that's why I'd like one of the English forum members to scan through the English translation of the software and the web interface quickly before I release it

Well, if you want, I can do that?

Ok, I will remember when it's finished, thank you

Ok

I've changed my plan about an English corrector, I'll do it like this:

I would like 1-2 English forum members to be beta testers for the software.
If you would like to participate, you should be interested in editing your add-ons for Addon Manager. Why? Because you'll need to experiment with the import function and so on, so you should know what you're doing
If you are interested in being a beta tester, please write me a PM with THE reason why I should choose you. Remember, as I've said, I only want a small beta test with 4-5 persons, 1-2 English-speaking.
I don't know exactly when I will start the test, some parts of the software are not finished completely yet, and currently I'm writing the documentation which is an awful lot of work
But I would like to start in the middle of next week at the latest.

If you want, LightingTechie, you can participate directly, because you already offered your help to me. If you don't want to do a full beta test, I won't mind, but I would really like if you'd say yes

I am also able to help. I have an eagle eye according to grammatical corrections - some of my friends even call me a grammar nazi (maybe you'll find mistakes in some of my posts here on the forum, but I don't really think "grammar" when I write here ).

Sure, I would love to help out. Although I fail at making add-ons so would be unable to test that side of things, but I could help test/check any other areas of the system.

Marpe, I will answer your PM indirectly here because this is easier

You haven't mentioned the add-on side in your PM, I don't know if you forgot it or if you meant it with what you've written

I don't know if I understood you correctly because of this: Would you prefer correction the English translations or testing the whole system with its features?

If you only meant the translations, then you and LightingTechie are very welcome, then your task will probably be simply to read everything that is written in English, and to correct mistakes. Would be a big help
But if you meant the "real" beta test, Marpe, then you can of course also participate there - I just don't know if I might have missunderstood you

Yep, I will read and check the translations for you

I mean full. Test all the features, everything.

Janniboy schrieb:

https://omnibussimulator.forumieren.com/t5161-omsi-addon-manager-10-official

Thank you Jan for this very useful program!
You are very skilled, congratulations!

This tool is very powerful! Congratulations once again, Jan!
Tropical City is already compatible with this software.

Great idea, but as my PC for simulations isn't going to be connected to the internet. You have my support but I won't be able to take part in using this product to its full potential once it's up and running properly, as Im skeptical of putting my PC on the internet. I use the Mac to communicate via the interwebs

Well, this is a very good reason not to use the software
To stay serious: Actually it isn't possible in this case, I'm sorry for that =/