Prime95 version 29.6/29.7/29.8 - Page 23

Prime95 · 2019-05-21, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prime95

Re-linking with the latest xcode magically fixed this. Hopefully, it will work for pre-Mojave users too.

Mac OS X users: 29.8 build 4 now available for download

rainchill · 2019-05-21, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfd64

3. On a related note: perhaps Prime95 could check for updates and notify the user. This would be especially useful if there is ever a reason to abandon an old version. The version 17 shift bug comes to mind here.

I mentioned this a few years ago too. Don't recall ever hearing much back. Perhaps Prime95 could act as a shell and download the latest executable automatically and alert the user to any manually required updates?

Prime95 · 2019-05-21, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainchill

I mentioned this a few years ago too. Don't recall ever hearing much back. Perhaps Prime95 could act as a shell and download the latest executable automatically and alert the user to any manually required updates?

Fifteen plus years ago, the community felt this was a bad idea. It was 1) viewed as a potential security risk and 2) viewed as a nuisance popping-up an "update now?" dialog box (especially if you've installed prime95 on a friends machine).

Nowadays, this behavior is commonplace. I suspect most people set to auto-update without notification or simply click yes to the numerous you-have-an-update-ready messages they get each week.

Thoughts on whether prime95 should rethink this old decision?

ixfd64 · 2019-05-21, 17:40

I think update notifications can be as simple as printing a message in the communication window the next time Prime95 connects to the server. Something like this will do:

Quote:

Prime95 <version number> is now available.
Get it from the GIMPS downloads page: https://mersenne.org/download

A pop-up window is fine but should probably be disabled by default. Users would be able to enable it by editing their local.txt file.

GP2 · 2019-05-21, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prime95

Thoughts on whether prime95 should rethink this old decision?

Any automated downloads must be encrypted. Unfortunately, the current manual download links all use http instead of https. If you want an https download you have to alter the URL yourself. If Madpoo is unwilling to make https the default even for manual updates, then this idea will go nowhere.

Even if that hurdle is overcome, it's still inadvisable. Although the very largest companies like Google and Microsoft know how to properly secure automatic updates, there are many cases of other companies failing to do so and allowing malware to infiltrate their users' hardware. A recent case in point: ASUS.

Based on that track record, I think it will be impossible to get this right. And implementing this would just be a distraction in any case from continuous improvement of the core functionality.

Edit: in the ASUS case I linked, it seems it was actually the central download server that was hacked. But earlier there were numerous cases where the system software client and protocols that did the automated downloads were themselves insecure.

kriesel · 2019-05-21, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prime95

Fifteen plus years ago, the community felt this was a bad idea. It was 1) viewed as a potential security risk and 2) viewed as a nuisance popping-up an "update now?" dialog box (especially if you've installed prime95 on a friends machine).

Nowadays, this behavior is commonplace. I suspect most people set to auto-update without notification or simply click yes to the numerous you-have-an-update-ready messages they get each week.

Thoughts on whether prime95 should rethink this old decision?

I don't want prime95/mprime joining in the objectionable behavior of Windows 10, downloading big updates many times, once per system, via my crappy slow unreliable DSL, when once per flavor to my file server for local install will do.

Also, are you ready to assume the responsibility for not performing an update when it will hammer (negate, abandon, start over) work in progress? With multiple worker windows, set to multiple work types, that could get interesting.

Any auto-update-only version will not be installed here.
.

ixfd64 · 2019-05-21, 18:34

I definitely think that automatic updates are more complicated than what we need. Simply notifying users is enough in my opinion.

kriesel · 2019-05-21, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfd64

I definitely think that automatic updates are more complicated than what we need. Simply notifying users is enough in my opinion.

A notification per installation, or per user? Imagine curtisc getting one notification, or every U of Central Missouri PC popping up a notification.

James Heinrich · 2019-05-21, 18:50

Actual automated updating is fraught with complexity, and is both unnecessary and probably undesirable in many cases. However, notifying the user with a simple (but prominent) box at the top of the application would be simple and effective (crude sample attached). The link should be clickable; perhaps the notification should include something about the current version and possibly an option to hide the notification until a subsequent version is released (i.e. "skip this version").

And no pop-up notifications. Popups should only happen in response to direct user action, never automated. Simply having the notification in the app if and when the user looks at it is fine. Also offer an option on the website to sign up for email notification of new versions.

rainchill · 2019-05-22, 07:20

I like to mockup James put together. In my opinion there is a case to be made for annoying popups in the case of severely (1 year+) outdated software and/or in the instance of a bug which is severe enough to require an update.

mackerel · 2019-05-22, 09:02

Suggestions if updating is to be added:
If updating an existing install, assume no checking, no notifications, so it runs as always has.
If a new installation, put a passive indication asking to opt-in to updates. By passive, I mean it should take no user action to ignore it, not even a click to get rid of it. This could be a text message in the main window saying go to options to turn on update notifications for example. Maybe only show it on first run.
If a user opts-in to updates, include an option for notify only. I think most smaller software I use, if they have updates, give you a link to the download page. They don't do the download in client. It may also be those pages are full of adverts they want looking at, but that's another story...

2019-05-21, 18:50	#251
James Heinrich "James Heinrich" May 2004 ex-Northern Ontario 23·149 Posts	Actual automated updating is fraught with complexity, and is both unnecessary and probably undesirable in many cases. However, notifying the user with a simple (but prominent) box at the top of the application would be simple and effective (crude sample attached). The link should be clickable; perhaps the notification should include something about the current version and possibly an option to hide the notification until a subsequent version is released (i.e. "skip this version"). And no pop-up notifications. Popups should only happen in response to direct user action, never automated. Simply having the notification in the app if and when the user looks at it is fine. Also offer an option on the website to sign up for email notification of new versions. Attached Thumbnails Last fiddled with by James Heinrich on 2019-05-21 at 18:51

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2019-05-21, 18:34	#249
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 7⁴ Posts	I definitely think that automatic updates are more complicated than what we need. Simply notifying users is enough in my opinion.

2019-05-22, 07:20	#252
rainchill Apr 2005 DFW, tx 3×11 Posts	I like to mockup James put together. In my opinion there is a case to be made for annoying popups in the case of severely (1 year+) outdated software and/or in the instance of a bug which is severe enough to require an update.

2019-05-22, 09:02	#253
mackerel Feb 2016 UK 664₈ Posts	Suggestions if updating is to be added: If updating an existing install, assume no checking, no notifications, so it runs as always has. If a new installation, put a passive indication asking to opt-in to updates. By passive, I mean it should take no user action to ignore it, not even a click to get rid of it. This could be a text message in the main window saying go to options to turn on update notifications for example. Maybe only show it on first run. If a user opts-in to updates, include an option for notify only. I think most smaller software I use, if they have updates, give you a link to the download page. They don't do the download in client. It may also be those pages are full of adverts they want looking at, but that's another story...