Update notification for Xenforo addons?

[Andy.N]

Is it currently possible for addon authors to code so that when Xenforo owners log in to their ACP, there is an alert of which addon has been updated.

Yes, it's Wordpress system but I just want to know if it's possible. It's hard to keep track of the versions right now.

 

[Paul B]

There is no functionality such as that at the moment.

 

[Andy.N]

There is no functionality such as that at the moment.

Thanks Paul.
I suspect it as much. Moving to suggestion or merge to similar thread?

 

[Paul B]

I've moved it to suggestions.

I expect though that something like this won't even be able to be considered until the add-on system has been built.

 

[The Dark Wizard]

I think this is a pretty big feature but it would be nice to be able to see from your own admin panel when addons have a possible update.

Share your thoughts ladies and gentlemen.

 

[Paul B]

I'm fairly sure this has already been suggested.

This would require each add-on querying back to somewhere, either a central location or individual sites for each one.

I personally wouldn't want my site linking to others in that way.

 

[The Dark Wizard]

I'm fairly sure this has already been suggested.

This would require each add-on querying back to somewhere, either a central location or individual sites for each one.

I personally wouldn't want my site linking to others in that way.

How come?

It could query back to that new addon place coming soon to xF. But I can see where safety and other issues come in.

 

[Paul B]

It could query back to the Resource Manager (hence my reference to the central location), but that would require additional work by the XenForo and add-on developers to create such a system.

It would also require add-on authors to adopt it, and keep it up to date.

Granted, if it was all linked to xenforo.com then I wouldn't have such an issue with it.

 

[The Dark Wizard]

It could query back to the Resource Manager (hence my reference to the central location), but that would require additional work by the XenForo and add-on developers to create such a system.

It would also require add-on authors to adopt it, and keep it up to date.

Granted, if it was all linked to xenforo.com then I wouldn't have such an issue with it.

Yesh I agree with you now. The only way i would allow this on my board is if it was linked back to xenforo.com or where ever the official resource manager will be located. Still was an interesting thought.

 

[Paul B]

BTW, I found the original suggestion and merged the threads

 

[The Dark Wizard]

BTW, I found the original suggestion and merged the threads

Thanks !

 

[Slavik]

I personally wouldn't want my site linking to others in that way.

Any particular reason?

It could query back to the Resource Manager (hence my reference to the central location), but that would require additional work by the XenForo and add-on developers to create such a system.

It would also require add-on authors to adopt it, and keep it up to date.

Granted, if it was all linked to xenforo.com then I wouldn't have such an issue with it.

Its quite simple to add, for example how xentrader informs you in ACP if theres a newer version, it calls a php file on my server.

        $xentraderVersion = $this->getModelFromCache('XenForo_Model_AddOn')->getAddOnVersion('xentrader');
        $currentVersion = $this->_getCurrentVersion($xentraderVersion['version_id']);
        if ($currentVersion != 'ERROR')
            $outdated = $currentVersion[0] < $xentraderVersion['version_id'];
        else
            $outdated = false;

        $viewParams = array(
            'yourVersion' => $xentraderVersion['version_string'],
            'currentVersion' => is_array($currentVersion) ? $currentVersion[1] : $currentVersion,
            'outdated' => $outdated,
            'stats' => $stats,
            'url' => 'http://p8ntballer-forums.com/xentrader',
        );

        return $this->responseView('XenTrader_ViewAdmin_Index', 'xentrader_splash', $viewParams);
    }

    protected function _getCurrentVersion($xentraderVersion)
    {
        $version = @file_get_contents('http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com/xentrader?xentrader-version=' . $xentraderVersion . '&xenforo-version=' . XenForo_Application::$versionId . '&address=' . $this->getRequest()->getBaseUrl());

        if (preg_match('/[0-9.:]/', $version))
        {
            return explode(':', $version, 2);
        }

        return 'ERROR';
    }

Then on my server i host a file with the following in.

<?php

if (!isset($_GET['address']))
{
    header('location: http://xenforo.com/community/threads/xentrader-2-0-user-feedback-system.17276/');
    exit;
}

echo '3:2.0.3';

Extending that to the notification system I don't imagine would be too much effort.

 

[Paul B]

Any particular reason?

Just that I don't want my site linking back to another, other than an official site such as XenForo.com.

Which is why I reluctantly haven't installed some add-ons, as they do a similar thing to yours.

 

[Slavik]

Just that I don't want my site linking back to another, other than an official site such as XenForo.com.

Which is why I reluctantly haven't installed some add-ons, as they do a similar thing to yours.

Are you on about a version check or a copyright? The version check in mine links back only in ACP, and that is only because there is no "official" system in place as of yet but I don't quite understand the problem with it, as a version check and/or copyright notice can be interchanged very easily, so if you use any addons with a copyright in place, then the situation potentially could be no different?

 

[ragtek]

Just that I don't want my site linking back to another, other than an official site such as XenForo.com.

Which is why I reluctantly haven't installed some add-ons, as they do a similar thing to yours.

Mine?

 

[Deebs]

I understand what Brogan is saying, anything that calls home without advertising or asking for permission is wrong. I have some mods on my test forums that call home, when I go live I will more than likely put in a firewall rule to stop it.

If you must call home to check for version checks either a) publicise that your mod has call home functionality, b) give the forum owner the option of enabling or disabling it.

 

[Slavik]

If you must call home to check for version checks either a) publicise that your mod has call home functionality

Automatic notification when a new version is available


To be honest I think notifications of new versions are essential, just look at the vsa flaw on vbulletin recently that allow people to hack your forum if you use an old version. If you haven't visited vb.org recently and are using one of the old vsa modifications your forum is at rick of being hacked. How many forum owners do you think are still running these old versions simply because they don't know theres an updated version out there to fix this.

 

[Paul B]

Mine?

Yes

How many forum owners do you think are still running these old versions simply because they don't know theres an updated version out there to fix this.

It's their job to check.

Just as it is with the core software.

 

[Deebs]

Automatic notification when a new version is available


To be honest I think notifications of new versions are essential, just look at the vsa flaw on vbulletin recently that allow people to hack your forum if you use an old version. If you haven't visited vb.org recently and are using one of the old vsa modifications your forum is at rick of being hacked. How many forum owners do you think are still running these old versions simply because they don't know theres an updated version out there to fix this.

Not entirely true, email alerts were sent out to inform users of issues running Advanced Forum Rules. The point is that the mods should call a central respository (much like vb.org) and if not available make sure the forum owner knows it calls another place and give the option to enable or disable.

 

[Deebs]

Yes

It's their job to check.

Just as it is with the core software.

Very true. The responsibility falls to the forum owner to ensure they run the latest version, not the mod author. Almost all software I run gives ME the control whether to check for updates. Mod authors should follow this practise.