Build update checker for Mixxx

[RJ Skerry-Ryan]

We have too many people using out-of-date versions of Mixxx.

I propose adding a simple request to mixxx.org:

http://mixxx.org/api/latestVersion

which returns a simple JSON object:

{ 'version': '1.10.0' }

or something similar. Then we can add a check on startup to notify the user if their version of Mixxx is out of date.

It has to be disable-able via scons flag (for Debian packaging, Mac App Store, etc.). There is also the issue of tracking people -- some will not want Mixxx to go check mixxx.org by default. We should make it easy to turn off via a checkbox in the installer. I am in favor of letting it default to checked, though.

On OS X, there is no installer so we may have to ask via a pop-up on first-run. Perhaps we could make use of the intro-dialog that Mixxx 1.8.0 used for promo-tracks agreement for this.

[Phillip Whelan (pwhelan)]

We could use Sparkle and WinSparkle instead of rolling our own.
On Nov 23, 2011 2:35 PM, "RJ Ryan" <email address hidden> wrote:

> Public bug reported:
>
> We have too many people using out-of-date versions of Mixxx.
>
> I propose adding a simple request to mixxx.org:
>
> http://mixxx.org/api/latestVersion
>
> which returns a simple JSON object:
>
> { 'version': '1.10.0' }
>
> or something similar. Then we can add a check on startup to notify the
> user if their version of Mixxx is out of date.
>
> It has to be disable-able via scons flag (for Debian packaging, Mac App
> Store, etc.). There is also the issue of tracking people -- some will
> not want Mixxx to go check mixxx.org by default. We should make it easy
> to turn off via a checkbox in the installer. I am in favor of letting it
> default to checked, though.
>
> On OS X, there is no installer so we may have to ask via a pop-up on
> first-run. Perhaps we could make use of the intro-dialog that Mixxx
> 1.8.0 used for promo-tracks agreement for this.
>
> ** Affects: mixxx
> Importance: Wishlist
> Status: Confirmed
>
>
> ** Tags: website
>
> ** Changed in: mixxx
> Status: New => Confirmed
>
> ** Changed in: mixxx
> Importance: Undecided => Wishlist
>
> ** Tags added: website
>
> ** Description changed:
>
> We have too many people using out-of-date versions of Mixxx.
>
> I propose adding a simple request to mixxx.org:
>
> http://mixxx.org/api/latestVersion
>
> which returns a simple JSON object:
>
> { 'version': '1.10.0' }
>
> or something similar. Then we can add a check on startup to notify the
> user if their version of Mixxx is out of date.
>
> - It has to be disable-able via scons flag (for Debian packaging, etc.).
> - There is also the issue of tracking people -- some will not want Mixxx
> - to go check mixxx.org by default. We should make it easy to turn off via
> - a checkbox in the installer. I am in favor of letting it default to
> - checked, though.
> + It has to be disable-able via scons flag (for Debian packaging, Mac App
> + Store, etc.). There is also the issue of tracking people -- some will
> + not want Mixxx to go check mixxx.org by default. We should make it easy
> + to turn off via a checkbox in the installer. I am in favor of letting it
> + default to checked, though.
>
> On OS X, there is no installer so we may have to ask via a pop-up on
> first-run. Perhaps we could make use of the intro-dialog that Mixxx
> 1.8.0 used for promo-tracks agreement for this.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of Mixxx
> Development Team, which is subscribed to Mixxx.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/894176
>
> Title:
> Build update checker for Mixxx
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/mixxx/+bug/894176/+subscriptions
>

[Gary Littlemore (gary-littlemore)]

I think this should be standard in all software now a days.

[jus (jus)]

Based on complaints we got via feedback form, it is obviously that many people run old versions and complaining about bugs/requesting features that where already fixed/implemented.

E.g. with the release of v1.11 we are two versions behind in the MacOS App store, the user experience is poor, based on what is possible now.

Notifying users about the latest version results in less effort for product support and happier users eventually. This should have priority and a missing update checker is a bug to me.

[Owen Williams (ywwg)]

I think we have to be careful about the mac app store version -- I seem to remember there being a prohibition against an app that tells the user they need to download the *real* version somewhere else. Otherwise this is a great idea and sorely needed.

[jus (jus)]

I could not find such clause in the MAS guidelines, see http://localmedia.static2.adqic.com/uploads/files/a53729adaa.pdf . But It may be not the latest version, apparently official access is restricted for non-paying devs at apple.com.
One of the MAS' purposes is that you automatically gets notified by the AppStore.app itself if an update for installed programs is available, basically a repo. Wouldn't the most obvious solution be to submit v1.11 to the MAS then. If we can't update the current 1.9.2 in the MAS version for whatever reasons (legal?), what is the point of providing an outdated version to the MAS users anyway?

On Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 4:41 PM, Owen Williams wrote:

> I think we have to be careful about the mac app store version -- I seem
> to remember there being a prohibition against an app that tells the user
> they need to download the *real* version somewhere else. Otherwise this
> is a great idea and sorely needed.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of Mixxx
> Development Team, which is subscribed to Mixxx.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/894176
>
> Title:
> Build update checker for Mixxx
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/mixxx/+bug/894176/+subscriptions
>
>

[Swiftb0y (swiftb0y)]

Mixxx now uses GitHub for bug tracking. This bug has been migrated to:
https://github.com/mixxxdj/mixxx/issues/6134