Show Bid Request
install downloader stub program that reads a file on a server and downloads, unzips, and registers those components or files
Bid Request Id: 47389
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Posted by: |
pmtManage (5 ratings)
(Software buyer rating 10 )
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Non-action Ratio: |
Very Good - 0.00%
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Posted: |
Feb 8, 2003
2:44:24 PM EDT
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Bidding Closes: |
Feb 22, 2003
3:03:03 PM EDT
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Viewed (by coders): |
106 times
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Deadline: |
3/15/2003
TIME EXPIRED
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Description:
Basically, the purpose of this program is to minimize the amount of files downloaded from my web site to save bandwidth, and speed the install process for my users.
For example, our company produces AdsGone popup killer from www.adsgone.com. It's 2.5 MB. Probably 2MB of this file is dlls and ocx's that are on most target systems already.
What i'd like to have is a tiny stub program download to the client machine first instead of the full 2.5MB install program.
The first thing the stub program does is request a config file from my server. For example, this config file might be located at www.a1tech.com/installs/adsgone.ini. This config file might look something like this:
[system]
www.a1tech.com/installs/tabctl32.zip tabctl32.ocx regserver 1/1/2003
www.a1tech.com/installs/comdlg32.zip comdlg32.ocx regserver 1/2/2001
www.a1tech.com/installs/mswinsck.zip mswinsck.ocx regserver 2/1/2000
www.a1tech.com/installs/mscomctl.zip mscomctl.ocx regserver 2/1/200
www.a1tech.com/installs/msinet.zip msinet.ocx regserver 1/6/1999
www.a1tech.com/installs/msvbvm60.zip msvbvm60.dll regserver 1/6/2000
[windows]
[run]
files.a1tech.com/files/AGSetup.exe
First of all, the format of this file can be changed. This is just a rough idea.
Each entry names the zip file name but also the actual unzipped content name and a file date (one file in each zip file). This way you don't have to download the file before simply checking the name and date against what the user already has on the system.
You would only download those items that needed to be downloaded (not there or out of date).
The [system] section means all files should be unzipped to the windows system directory. Somehow, we need to make sure we can unzip the file on the target system (not sure on this, any ideas welcome) The "regserver" parm means the contents of the zip need to be registered e.g. regsvr32.
The [run] section means this file needs to be downloaded last and run (which in this case would be the adsgone install that had NONE of the components in the install (would probably be 700KB or so). This way, the stub did the work of downloading only the components that were out of date or not on the target system. For example, the vbruntime dll compresses to about 600K but I think most windows systems already have this (not sure though).
More below...
Deliverables:
The stub downloader / installer would have to look something like a common installshield type dialog ith a status bar with status text like "downloading xyz.ocx..." "installing xyz.dll.."
The program has to be smart enough that if the connection was lost, it would know enough to continue by downloading the last file it was working on (i'm not talking about parts of files, just don't do the entire list of downloads again). This would probably take care of itself since if it successfully downloaded the file before, it would already be on the target system.
I would assume it best to create this program using only the most native windows api calls probably using c or c++ so this "stub" would be very tiny and require no install (just download and run). < 100KB would be great.
1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done.
2) Installation package that will install the software (in ready-to-run condition) on the platform(s) specified in this bid request.
3) Complete ownership and distribution copyrights to all work purchased.
Platform:
needs to run on 98,me,nt sp6,xp,win2k
should probably be written in C or C++
Must be 100% finished and received by buyer on:
Mar 15, 2003 EDT
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Bidding/Comments:
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| Name |
Bid Amount
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Date |
Coder Rating |
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This bid was accepted by the buyer!
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$350 (USD)
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Feb 9, 2003
5:25:06 AM EDT
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9.84
(Excellent)
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Hello,
Having extensive knowledge of Internet protocols and Windows operating system internals, the application you require can be completed without any problems well within your specified deadline. For additional details regarding my work background and history please look at my online resume at RentACoder.
I have created similar applications in the past using Delphi. The resulting EXE is really small (probably around 100KB) and what's more important, doesn't need any external DLL or OCX to run (unlike VC or VB, that need their respective runtimes installed).
I will create the 'stub' downloader, with all the features you mentioned. Also I will create a small ini editor, that will help you create the ini files the 'stub' will use. Included in the bid amount is one month of full support.
I may be a little more expensive than other coders you may encounter, but I can only assure you that the product you will receive will be exactly what you need. However, if the specified bid amount is more that what you have available for this project, please specify a desired amount and I'm sure we can work something out.
Looking forward to working with you,
Catalin IONESCU
Technical Vision Software Ltd |
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N/A
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Feb 9, 2003
5:54:15 AM EDT
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9.84
(Excellent)
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Hello,
I forgot an important mention in my previous mail: having previous experience with this type of applications, there are some ideas that, if agreed to be implemented, will make your installer more flexible and less error prone. Also, by using a 'proprietary' encryption algorithm, usually with better compression ratios than the one in ZIP achives, you will rest assured that your server will not be a 'depot' for runtimes downloaded by unauthorized parties. Only your installer will know how to decompress the runtimes.
More details about these will be provided upon request.
Sincerely,
Catalin IONESCU
Technical Vision Software Ltd |
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