Update frequency

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

Good software does not require frequent updates, eg MS office or auto update in the background, eg Google Chrome.

calibre does not require updates. It gives people the option to update. If you cannot deal with having options, I suggest you move on, because calibre is obviously not for you.

[FinancialWar]

Okay, just a suggestion.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Your statement that it does not achieve any additional benefits for anyone is clearly wrong -- all I have to do is prove that one person benefits, and you have been proven wrong. And that person is me. (And many other people here on MobileRead, who may declare themselves if they wish.)

LOL

I've reported several bugs myself, one of them being the app crash due to dragging tabs being the latest. I already know that this bug will (most likely) be gone after Calibre 2.1 is released the day after tomorrow, because Kovid already posted a link to the repository file(s) that he changed to fix it.

If Kovid would choose to package all of his bugfixes into one gargantuan update each six months, then having bugs fixed on end-user's computers will just be delayed.

I know nothing about it, but I can imagine that Kovid has automated his build process to such an extent that he can possibly now compile the setup file(s) straight from his repository's working directory and upload them. If so, the only reason not to push daily updates at the end of each day would be the hosting bandwidth.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Considering how often Kovid adds new features, it would be disastrous for the power users if he only released sporadic major updates.

I think I can call myself a power user of Calibre nowadays; somewhat, at least. I can safely say that if a new functionality is introduced, I'll probably find some use for it in not too long a time, except maybe the ones that cater to very specific cases.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

Good software does not require frequent updates, eg MS office or auto update in the background, eg Google Chrome.

Chrome does have a lot of updates. In fact, Chrome is one of those where a lot of people don't even know what the latest version is. MS Office does have a lot of updates even if you don't notice them.

[FinancialWar]

I said these software update automatically in the background.

If Calibre update in the background automatically, then I don't care how often it updates.

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Your statement that it does not achieve any additional benefits for anyone is clearly wrong -- all I have to do is prove that one person benefits, and you have been proven wrong. And that person is me. (And many other people here on MobileRead, who may declare themselves if they wish.)...

I agree.

I use the rule in business discussions and negotiations that those who make claims that their opinion represents everyone are just mischief making, or else they hold an excessively exaggerated opinion of themselves that their opinion is probably worthless. If not worthless, then so very tiresome trying to continue a dialogue with them that it is best to move on without them .

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

I said these software update automatically in the background.

If Calibre update in the background automatically, then I don't care how often it updates.

@FinancialWar - This is clearly a major issue for you.

Start Snark
{

So... why don't you use an Ebook Library Manager from Microsoft or Google that auto updates your computer and data as when they see fit.

Or you could hire one of the outsourcers skilled in configuration management to do it for you. IBM, Computer Sciences, EDS, Tata, Infosys etc are waiting for your call.

}

BR

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

I said these software update automatically in the background.

If Calibre update in the background automatically, then I don't care how often it updates.

Of course, we can have Calibre do just what Windows Update does. Update in the background and then reboot your computer just at the wrong time.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I know nothing about it, but I can imagine that Kovid has automated his build process to such an extent that he can possibly now compile the setup file(s) straight from his repository's working directory and upload them. If so, the only reason not to push daily updates at the end of each day would be the hosting bandwidth.

Precisely. If you take a look at https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...aster/setup.py you too can build calibre from the cloned repo, with one command plus AFK. Kovid sometimes mentions falling asleep while waiting for calibre to build.

In fact, one command allows Kovid to run the build, and compile user manuals, and translations pulled from transifex, and push it all to the website plus two different mirrors, by automatically calling each step. Automation to the highest extreme -- and I cannot imagine why any project wouldn't do so.

I disagree about daily updates though. The popup notification would become evry intrusive if it appeared every day, and nobody would update. Weekly provides a nice balance that seems to suit most people -- in the sense that either they like weekly updates, or they disable the alert until something actually bothers them, usually once every few months/years.

Or they never see the update, because they are running from source, and are on the next version during the hour between the version bump and the uploaded build. My update script has to unset CALIBRE_DEVELOP_FROM in order to register updated versions, because I take my updates VERY seriously. To the point where my routine for starting calibre includes making sure the source is up to date.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Of course, we can have Calibre do just what Windows Update does. Update in the background and then reboot your computer just at the wrong time.

Not every automatic update was coded by people as clumsy as Microsoft. Google Chrome/Mozilla Firefox do background updates that work. And linux package managers can be scripted/jobbed to run in the background, and just like Chrome/Firefox do not force restart.

The real question is, do we have anyone who wishes to dedicate themselves to handling the update mechanism? FF/Chrome have huge developer teams, calibre doesn't.

Kovid has said auto updates are worthless to him, not that he philosophically disagrees. If someone else did the work, he would accept the patch.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Of course, we can have Calibre do just what Windows Update does. Update in the background and then reboot your computer just at the wrong time.

Only if the user chooses to have Windows Update configured that way.

BR

[Dopedangel]

As much I like that calibre updates every week. I would still prefer a system where patches are released instead of having to download the whole thing. But as calibre is mostly a one man operation with support for multiple OS I get why Kovid doesn't want to go there.
Maybe the ability to set the calibre update notification frequency would get people to stop complaining about it. So people can set to be notified of new updates after every week, 2 weeks or a month. But its to much for little reward for Kovid.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

This is why we all need to donate to him for his amazing piece of free software. I wouldn't begrudge him if he released an official pay for software.

[FencepostErr1r]

I'd probably buy three copies. Make them 40 bucks a pop, I couldn't care less.
Only request I have is auto-updating as a donator feature.
Or make it a subscription, that way you'd be sure to cover the increased hits on your servers.

-FencepostErr1r

/edit:
Features I'd be willing to pay for:

-OSX native App (ditch QT for UIKit)
-Preview of how the target device will likely display the book
-auto-updating