updating ELAN
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updating ELAN
Hi,
I'd like to know whether there is the possibility of
updating ELAN as soon as it is started (of course, if
a new update is available!), instead of having to
download the new version, removing the older and
installing the new one.
If this possibility doesn't still exist, would it be
possible?
Regards,
Tarcisio
Re: updating ELAN
It would be possible, probably. Different approaches could be considered:
- a built-in automatic update or check-for-updates option in ELAN. To realise this as a save and reliable way of updating for the 3 supported platforms, would require quite some programming. Probably much more than one would expect.
- a downloadable Update-installer. This would be an application like the normal installer, but installs only new and changed files and libraries. I don't know whether the program we use to create the installer supports this. An update is much more critical than a regular install; all kinds of checks must be performed and exceptions handled.
- a downloadable zip file containing the new and changed file and an instruction for the user what to copy where. This would be the easiest solution but also the most user-unfriendly one.
The main problem is the increase in management load. In addition to the current installers and Webstart configurations for the 3 platforms, updaters should be created. Also, supporting users would become more complicated, because anything can go wrong while updating (to the extent that the application won't launch anymore).
The benefits of updates instead of new installers, in terms of download time and convenience, is clear. But I don't think we currently have the resources to implement and maintain a more sophisticated way of updating than providing a zip file with new libraries etc. (And I don't know how many users would prefer that over a new installation).
-Han
Re: updating ELAN
Dear Han,
Unlike you, I don't know much about the advantages and disadvantages of having automatic updates. If it's a not a good solution, there's really no problem in keeping installing ELAN.
I just considered this option because ELAN has been improved at an increasingly faster pace in the later years, and also because I didn't have a clue that updating take so much programming work!
Thanx a lot!
Tarcisio
Re: Re: updating ELAN
I forgot to mention that there is a Webstart version of ELAN that is updated automatically, this is the address:
http://www.mpi.nl/tg/j2se/jnlp/elan/current/elan-current.jnlp
All changes are downloaded by the Webstart environment as soon as they are made available. This might be a good alternative.
-Han
Re: Re: Re: updating ELAN
Han, that's a perfectly good option to me and I
didn't know about that!
Thanx for the tip!
Tarcisio
Release of ELAN 4.3.0
