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Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

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Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#31
post #16
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...

I used MacPorts back in the 00s and early 10s but switched to Homebrew when it came out because it was less hassle.

Wanted to give it another shot with my latest clean OS install, but wound up installing Homebrew again due to broken packages on MacPorts. Probably should’ve tried to contribute by fixing those packages but didn’t have the time or mental energy available at that point in time.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#32

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?

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…

It's just downloading an xml file to see if there is an update available.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#33
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?

macOS app store mandates apps sandbox. If your app, for some reason, don't run in sandbox, you need to distribute it outside app store.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#34

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.

> I'd be interested in learning how many average users install software outside of the Mac App Store these days.

I'd hazard a guess that Chrome alone would put that figure near 100%

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#37

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

You might want to cleanup and call the doctor just in case. :-) brew update; brew upgrade; brew cleanup; brew doctor

And no need for `brew update` unless you've turned automatic updates off.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#38
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might want to cleanup and call the doctor just in case. :-) brew update; brew upgrade; brew cleanup; brew doctor

And no need for `brew update` unless you've turned automatic updates off.

It has a timeframe, though, so while it does automatically update every so often, it’s not every time you run `upgrade` or `install`, so running the `brew update` makes sure your OCD matches your needs.

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#39

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

You might want to cleanup and call the doctor just in case. :-) brew update; brew upgrade; brew cleanup; brew doctor

Similar, just without the `doctor`. That one I only run it like once a month. For the other one, I got my alias, haha:

  buuc

Re: Sparkle: A software update framework for macOS

#40

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

Not officially, but these days first things I setup in Onboarding documents (if they don’t have it already) is how to setup Homebrew.

I install pretty much everything I need on macOS through Homebrew these days.

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