K5 Update Launcher: A (slightly) easier way to install extensions

[aditya3098]

After you install this GUI launcher extension, you will see a new entry in the launcher that says "Update Launcher" If you put something in the extensions folder and tap this, it will restart the framework and update the launcher. But the main feature is if you take a .lext file (for devs, it's a zipped up extension) for the extension, which devs will hopefully provide, put that in the root of your kindle's usb and tap "Update Launcher", it will automatically unzip and install the extension.

In other words:

Take the extension file, put it on the kindle's dirve and update launcher. It's that easy!

Why this extension? Because now people (aka n00bs) will not need to worry about which folder to put in the extensions folder, unzipping/untarring/unraring..., and accidentaly getting windows line endings into their scripts, and a whole lot of other stuff.

Also, I plan to eventually add things like post install scripts (VERY useful for WAFs).

Can one of the site mods add .leg as an approved upload file extension?

UPDATE: Changed extension from .lext to .leg

[MaPePeR]

I highly disagree with that extension.
You could just scan vor zip files and catch the file list and look for a special index file.
This would not force us to rename zip files.
(Do we really need another zip file-format - besides .jar and maybe several others?)

Can one of the site mods add .lext as an approved upload file extension?

You are already expieriencing the first problem with that choice.

Or even more easy: filename.lext.zip

[knc1]

Originally Posted by aditya3098

Why this extension? Because now people (aka n00bs) will not need to worry about which folder to put in the extensions folder, unzipping/untarring/unraring..., and accidentaly getting windows line endings into their scripts, and a whole lot of other stuff.

Which of course assumes that the "noobs" running Windows have changed their preferences to display filename extensions.
Hmm... Which takes them out of the "nooby" classification.

I agree, stick with a meaningful extension, don't invent one.
If you need to detect if your using the correct file, insert a special reserved name file (like: MANIFEST) in the archive and then test for it.

[aditya3098]

Originally Posted by knc1

Which of course assumes that the "noobs" running Windows have changed their preferences to display filename extensions.
Hmm... Which takes them out of the "nooby" classification.

I agree, stick with a meaningful extension, don't invent one.
If you need to detect if your using the correct file, insert a special reserved name file (like: MANIFEST) in the archive and then test for it.

BUT... If there is no program to open .lext files, the extension WILL be displayed. The option they have to disable to show extensions is called "Display extension for known file types"
@MaPePeR: That is a sensible idea...

[aditya3098]

In fact the reason I chose .lext is because I do not want confusion about weather or not you unzip it.

On the flip side, the manifest might hold the postinst......

[knc1]

Originally Posted by aditya3098

In fact the reason I chose .lext is because I do not want confusion about weather or not you unzip it.

On the flip side, the manifest might hold the postinst......

Too close to the three character extensions:
http://filext.com/file-extension/LEX
Too easy for the eye to mistake .lext for the more widely used .lex

[aditya3098]

Maybe another extension... Any ideas?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by aditya3098

Maybe another extension... Any ideas?

.pkg
http://filext.com/file-extension/pkg

So widely used over the years for so many different things it is nearly meaningless to (other than Apple) software but does suggest to a person that it is not something to fool with.
(Just use the "expand listing" links on that page to see full story.)

Plus, think of it as a renamed .jar, something which must have a ADITYA file inside of it or it is invalid.

Debian calls .ar archives .deb, so why not?

[thomass]

.lep: launcher extension package

[NiLuJe]

.lxt? I like pkg too, though.

[aditya3098]

Ill probably go with .lep

[knc1]

Originally Posted by aditya3098

Ill probably go with .lep

Close.
how about: .leg
Then a person can give their ARM a .leg up:
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/leg+up

[aditya3098]

Isnt there some program that uses .leg files? I remember using one. Some kind of game?

[knc1]

Originally Posted by aditya3098

Isnt there some program that uses .leg files? I remember using one. Some kind of game?

It isn't mentioned:
http://filext.com/file-extension/leg

Also opens the possibility for using the phrase: "an ARM and a .leg":
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/an+arm+and+a+leg

example:
My K3, with only an ARM and a .leg could fly to the moon once the update completes.

[aditya3098]

Leg it is, then.