Live data from Hacker News

Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

github.com

1–10 of 128 posts

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#3
Maybe I‘m weird, but for some reason seeing a Sparkle „Update available“ modal popping up fils me with joy (The software I‘m using is getting better) and I enjoy reading the changelog. If there’s some weird custom updater in another software it always fills me with dread because I have to navigate a different UI, and probably have to restart it immediately.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#7

Are you telling me macOS doesn't have a package manager already?

In terms of apps no, it doesn't or basically it is the Mac App Store. You basically publish your app with all the dependencies and target a specific OS version which guarantees certain baseline frameworks. Apart from that, any update means publishing a new version to the App Store (if you are there). If you are self hosting the app, you need something like Sparkle to trigger app updates.

In terms of proper package management a la yum or apt, there is homebrew of course.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#8
post #7

Are you telling me macOS doesn't have a package manager already?

In terms of apps no, it doesn't or basically it is the Mac App Store. You basically publish your app with all the dependencies and target a specific OS version which guarantees certain baseline frameworks. Apart from that, any update means publishing a new version to the App Store (if you are there). If you are self hosting the app, you need something like Sparkle to trigger app updates. In terms of proper package ma…

OK so basically the point is to avoid Mac App Store fees and independence to third party project like homebrew.

Doesn't that leads to the situation on windows where every single app is phoning home at startup?

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of apps no, it doesn't or basically it is the Mac App Store. You basically publish your app with all the dependencies and target a specific OS version which guarantees certain baseline frameworks. Apart from that, any update means publishing a new version to the App Store (if you are there). If you are self hosting the app, you need something like Sparkle to trigger app updates. In terms of proper package ma…

OK so basically the point is to avoid Mac App Store fees and independence to third party project like homebrew. Doesn't that leads to the situation on windows where every single app is phoning home at startup?

Well the original point is that sparkle predates MAS by more than a decade, and the MAS limitations are a bigger issue than the fees.

> Doesn't that leads to the situation on windows where every single app is phoning home at startup?

Sparkle has a very clear and regular behaviour, its predictability and widespread use made it easy to manage.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#10
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK so basically the point is to avoid Mac App Store fees and independence to third party project like homebrew. Doesn't that leads to the situation on windows where every single app is phoning home at startup?

Well the original point is that sparkle predates MAS by more than a decade, and the MAS limitations are a bigger issue than the fees. > Doesn't that leads to the situation on windows where every single app is phoning home at startup? Sparkle has a very clear and regular behaviour, its predictability and widespread use made it easy to manage.

As a more technical user who is aware of Sparkle, I recognise the Sparkle updater and I appreciate it. In fact, I miss this on Windows, where each app updates differently, and most will just throw you annoyingly to the install wizard all over again.
Post reply on HN