Okay...go ahead and hate me beforehand so we can get that out of the way ^_~ I honestly am not trying to encourage more of this discussion, because it's gotten a bit out of hand...but at the same time I have some thoughts I'd like to share... I'd of replied to the WoWi topic that was linked, but it's locked (understands completely, so go ahead and yell at me lol). So because of these reasons, reread my very first sentence lol.
I've been a WoWMatrix user...unfortunately I never thought about or realized the issues that have been brought up. Not to sounds like an AA meeting, but I am going to try to stay off cross-site updaters... But let me qualify that.
First though, I must admit to being terribly disgusted, and horrified by some of the reactions written here in
this thread. Not of the addon authors, but of the users themselves. I do understand both points of view, but come on guys, these people work hard to offer and tweak their addons...not for themselves, for whom the addons work just fine, but for
US. They don't have to, and certainly don't deserve the disrespect and disregard shown here... And a lot of these replies are the authors of some of the most used, beloved, and "couldn't live without" addons out there! I really hope with all my WoW-heart that they don't take what is being said by the few, and decide to turn in the hat and call it a day. Shame on those who feel that they have a right to "take" whatever they want.
On copyright laws, IT IS THE LAW, whether there's been "good cases" of them in courtrooms. Seriously, anyone can look at some of the ridiculous cases won/lost anywhere on the web, sometimes judges/juries really aren't thinking, or seem to have a shoe implanted in their head that prevents thoughts from being sane. Maybe that's harsh, but it's true...It's funny to read them...but you gotta feel sorry for the recipient of some of these decisions.
Were you aware, that even this, as I posted, is covered by copyright laws? Unless I'm mistaken (please reply if I am lol), it
IS. Just something to think about.
So, I really agree with the addon authors on their disgust, frustration, and probably even sadness on some.
As an addon user, I do present these thoughts though, to the authors, etc. I honestly do have way too many addons (you are all too freaking gifted lol), and I do tend to have to update at least a few every day. Unfortunately I began downloading before I started "bookmarking" those I have, so looking through my addons is tough, as I'm not sure which came from where, and which site has the most current, up to date and latest, release. I've downloaded the WoWi updater (and do have Curse's) but am having trouble using it for that reason...I know this is
my own fault and I will go through my addons, trust me, specially after reading this. But a lot of people aren't going to do this, as it takes work and you know how many shudder at such a thought
Kidding, partially. All a person has to do is read the WoW forums to see how many people really don't "care"... but at the same time, please realize that more do, than don't. Just a lot don't post all the time, because they aren't going to reiterate good things 3,000,000 times lol, or whatnot. But a lot do read.
I personally would like to see a collaboration between the download sites that offers a rather good updater, but I doubt this would happen lol. But if it did, here's a couple of thoughts as to how it could be presented:
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"You have the following which can be updated"
Version/Addon Name/Author/.toc/Link To Update (verses the actual auto-updating).
This could prevent/solve the possible following (please correct me if you see a whole in the idea lol).
Bandwidth (actually could maybe (?) save bandwidth as it'd link to the actual addon page instead of clicking through...yes a poor save, but lol)
Addon Author Information etc....It'd not only say who it's by, the .toc, but actually force the person who wishes to update, to go to the site on which the update is on...and the "updater" could (preferably) go to the main page of the addon, verses the download link.
User Ease of Use: It'd let the user know what addons have been updated, so that those of us who number into the zillions of addons can avoid checking every single addon that we may have.
Current Version: Some use here, WoWace, some use Curse.com, some use WoWui, and some use more than that amount. Which site has the most current? This could possibly (?) reduce the need to cross check the sites.
~~~~~~~~~~
In addition, if there are addons that don't come from the "mass site" or addon authors do not wish to have added to this addon, there could be a section of:
Manual Check:
The following addons have no information or do not wish to be listed here. Please search or update the addons manually. Thank you!
Then the list...duh lol.
In conclusion (god I've written waaaay too much today, kick me in the shins please lol) I do see both sides, I will use the addon updaters provided by each site...but it would be nice to see what is mentioned above. In addition, as someone said in the thread that I am referencing from, Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You (yes, I capitalized the words, for those who don't read so well
)
Okay, please reply, comment, slap, cheer, whatever lol. I am very willing and actually desiring to hear points of views that I've not mentioned, or thoughts that should be considered, or where I'm wrong.
Signing off, my hands hurt! lol
Jeania/Litharra~ Dalaran
edit: Oh and for those who think bandwidth isn't something to think about, ask the Aussies! Some of my very good friends from "down under" actually have internet issues because the internet companies don't charge only by speed, but limit the amount of bandwidth you can use for upload/download, etc. We are very lucky! But people do pay for bandwidth, so please...think about that.
2nd edit: To those who do check all the sites (which I do, actually) and try to help with debugging, etc...How many do you think actually do the same? ^_~