Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

github.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 128 posts

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#21

Post by stadeschuldt »

haykuro wrote: post #16
pantulis wrote: 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…

I switched to MacPorts after becoming tired of Brew tainting my filesystem. MacPorts keeps things clean in /opt/. https://www.macports.org/ https://saagarjha.com/blog/2019/04/26/thoughts-on-macos-pack...

Nowadays Homebrew keeps its stuff under /opt/homebrew/

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#23

Post by zitterbewegung »

prmoustache wrote: post #5

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

Mac classic had full compiled applications that you would drag to your applications folder. This is the same when it's distributed by dmg and told you are to drag to the Applications folder and using Sparkle on this is a common method to update or to just give another dmg. Another way you can distribute your app is to use a dmg to with a pkg file in it and this launches an installation wizard very similar to what you would see on windows. Then there is homebrew that has a series of ruby formulas that can do nearly all of the above. Obviously there is the Mac App Store.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#24

Post by TheAceOfHearts »

pantulis wrote: post #7
prmoustache wrote: post #5

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…

You can use homebrew to install regular apps as well, thanks to the casks feature. There's probably some apps that aren't available as casks, but usually everything I need is available already.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#25

Post by lapcat »

prmoustache wrote: post #8
pantulis wrote: 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?

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

1) It's a setting/preference. The polite/respectful app developers will ask users whether they want to automatically check for updates.

2) It's periodic. Developers can set the default to whatever they prefer — daily, weekly, monthly, etc. — and again the polite developers may give the user an option here too.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#27

Post by alkonaut »

prmoustache wrote: post #8
pantulis wrote: 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?

Usually the point of "software update frameworks" is to make the app phone home and check if there is an update isn't it?

I mean you can have an option to not make it check for updates if you want to provide a privacy option for people, but that just makes it a manual click-to-check-for-updates. Most people would probably leave the "check for updates on start" checked.

Can't see how that's a difference based on what OS you are on? I use Squirrel/Velopack (the equivalent for Windows I guess) and the usual way of managing updates is to have an update check at startup, or an interval (e.g. every hour).

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#28

Post by longnguyen »

Sparkles is a godsend. I use it on all my indie apps and it saves so much time. The best part is I could release with confidence knowing that I don’t have to ask for AppStore Review for each release.

The new version with delta updates and flags for critical updates is amazing. 10/10

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#29

Post by belthesar »

TheAceOfHearts wrote: post #22

Nowadays I just run `brew update; brew upgrade` and everything gets updated, including casks.

For us technology slinging types, homebrew is indeed great. Sparkle updates are indeed fantastic for the average user however. I think I'd be interested in learning how many average users install software outside of the Mac App Store these days.
Post reply on HN