Hab

Oldman · September 08, 2008, 06:08:29 PM

Maybe both downloads can be done in one install. I did not do it that way. One was data the other images.

Habanero Smoker · September 09, 2008, 02:32:58 AM

I was thinking that as big as both files are it may be better to do two installs. It would be better for those who have slower connections.

I didn't get a chance to try the software yesterday. I wanted to finish that last recipe. I'll get to that today.

Habanero Smoker · September 10, 2008, 03:49:17 AM

Hi Olds;

I getting close to sending you the data base. I've checked out the install program and that is easy to use, so making either one or two installs doesn't make a difference in setting it up. The complete data base is about 13.6 MB, I don't think that is too big for download, and would like to keep in to one install, using the same default directory as the original.

The previous file is called Recipes From The Bradley Smoker Forums_v1.gso, which I wanted to change to Recipes From The Bradley Smoker Forums_v2.gso ; but for the members updating their file it will leave Recipes From The Bradley Smoker Forums_v1.gso in the directory. This will take up an additional 2 MB of disk space and the possibility of the user opening the wrong file. Any suggestions on the file name; leave it the same so that the old file is over written; or change the name of the file and instruct the user to manually delete Recipes From The Bradley Smoker Forums_v1.gso?

Oldman · September 10, 2008, 12:44:20 PM

Does your data base and image folder contain everything that is in the original downloads?
Olds

Habanero Smoker · September 10, 2008, 02:37:42 PM

Yes. The new data base has all of the information that is in the original GSO file and image folder has; so it now contains everything that is currently on the recipe site.

Oldman · September 10, 2008, 08:32:48 PM

Quoteso it now contains everything that is currently on the recipe site.

Good. I was thinking that an upgrade should only be an annual event. Perhaps we should set up another forum and mark it New recipes. Then during the year you would have a place to place the new recipes, coding and locking the thread Or I could put board on our Admin area.

Kick it around and let me know what what you think.
Olds

Habanero Smoker · September 11, 2008, 02:47:14 AM

This sounds good, I just need to think about if it should be a new forum, or add the recipes to the existing forum and maintain a copy in our Admin area.

Habanero Smoker · September 12, 2008, 08:17:00 AM

Quote from: Oldman on September 10, 2008, 08:32:48 PM
Good. I was thinking that an upgrade should only be an annual event. Perhaps we should set up another forum and mark it New recipes. Then during the year you would have a place to place the new recipes, coding and locking the thread Or I could put board on our Admin area.

Kick it around and let me know what what you think.
Olds

Hi Olds,

I've read this again and I'm not clear about something. Would the forum "New Recipe" be for the members to easily identify the new recipes since the last up date, or for us to keep track of the new recipes. Right now I have made it a practice that when I add a recipe or make changes to a recipe on the recipe site I also do so in the GSO file. The GSO file is always up to date, so I'm not sure if we do need another forum for new recipes.

Whatever will improve the site is alright with me.

Oldman · September 12, 2008, 01:44:12 PM

Ok GSO is up to date. However, once we upload it I suggest at least a year before we up load the next set of GSO - Image files.

I was thinking you could either add the recipes as they are ready or we could set up a private board where you added them, coded etc. and then once per year you released them to the site.

Your call.
Olds

Habanero Smoker · September 12, 2008, 02:19:14 PM

Hi Olds;

I'm not sure, but I feel that most members would like to see new recipes on the site as soon as possible. I do agree that the GSO/Images be updates annually. I was looking at the icons to see if any would be appropriate to identify the new recipes added since the last GSO update, but I'm not sure if there are any.

The data base is up to date, and the new install program is called Recipes_v2.exe. The GSO file is named the same as the original, and it will install in the same default directory; so it will replace the existing file, as well as update the image folder. The install program is approximately 13.75 MB, and to install the program the user will need 18 MB of free disk space.

I'm not sure if this is too large for most users to down load. If you have the server space, we could offer those with slower connections multiple downloads. I can't split the GSO file which is 6.13 MB (uncompressed), but the image folder 11.1 MB (uncompressed) can be split to a more into smaller downloads. Let me know.

I'll send it to you within the hour.

PS
Olds I'm going to hold off until I add Manxman's recipe to the site and data base. It'll only delay things for a few days.

Oldman · September 12, 2008, 03:32:37 PM

N/P

Habanero Smoker · September 16, 2008, 02:44:13 AM

Hi Olds;

The data and images files are ready to be emailed to you. It has grown quite large, so I need some ideas on how to proceed.

INSTALL FILE INFORMATION:
Release #2:
Compressed File Name: Recipes_v2.exe
Install File Name: Recipes From The Bradley Smoker Forums_v1.gso (plus Image Folder)
Total Compressed Exe File size: 15.98 MB
Install size: 19.63 MB
GSO Notes: 7.38 MB
Images: 11.1 MB (185 files)

I rechecked the original file, and even downloaded and installed it again. The original file is one install. Both the images and data are contained in that one file called Recipes_v1.exe. If I set the file up as one install, it is now up to a 16 MB file to download, which may be too much for someone with a dial up connections. Should we offer two types of downloads; the full compressed file for DSL users, and multiple (three files 4..5 MB – 5.6 MB each; ie Recipe_v2_data.exe, Recipes_v2_Images1.exe, Recipes_v2_Images2.exe) download files for dialup users. When I compress the GSO file by itself it is reduced to 4.57 MB. The jpg files don't compress that much, but those files can be broken into two downloads of approximately 5.5 MB each.

I may be able to further compress a few images in the Image folder, but that will only cut down on the amount of space that it will take to install the program, not much will be save as far as the download size.

Oldman · September 16, 2008, 03:33:50 AM

Hab,
As far as being two downloads... it was my mistake. It is one. There are two downloads, the reader and the recipes.

You cannot break up the GSO file. However, you can break up the image file into 3 parts / download. If you do then make sure you use the installer and not just set it up so the members have to manually add them to the image file. You would not believe the number of E-mails I recieve on the first download as simple as it was--so trust me if it is not auto install your E-mail box will be slammed.

Next, personally I would not compress the files. If you do then which program are you going to use? Where would you have it uncompress to? My Documents? This adds one more step and again I have to go back to the amount of E-mails I recieved on the first one. The 3.5 megs you reduce the total in size to (compressed) is not going to make any differance to a dial up. 15.98 MB verses 19.63 MB. I've seen gamers download a 1-gig mod on a dial up. If a person wants it then they will down it. If someone has such a crappy connection you can offer to burn it to a CD and mail it to them. I did that for several and you know what? I never even got a thank you for doing it or an offer to cover the postage.

We well run with this anyway you like, but my advice it to keep it simple / stupid and your life will be a lot easier.

Next I think we should add this download to the main page and not have it down a couple of layers on the site. We might lose our count on the downloads if we do, but we lost that count when I went with vBulletin board. However, I have kept track and the first one has been download a little short of 4,000 times.

Let me know if you compress it and what program you are doing that with so we can add a link to download that program if a person does not have it. i.e. zip etc. etc..

Again my advise is one download / install.

Olds

Habanero Smoker · September 16, 2008, 08:34:07 AM

Hi Olds;

The files I was looking at to compress are in the image folder (I should have said resample). It just a few image files, that I was going to use Corel Photo Paint, or Photoshop, but it didn't make much of a difference. I did find a few duplicate image files in that folder so that save about 1 MB. The GSO Notes has a very simple image editor to edit embedded images so the GSO file so now that is 6.5 MB.

The figures in my previous post are from the installer program. It has it own internal file compression program; so it will restore the file during installation.

I don't have a way to upload this file to the recipe site so I will need to email it to you. This update will also include Manxman's Smoked Mussel recipe, and Mike's (Mr. Walleye) addition to the circulation fan. You are right about keeping it simple. So it looks like I'll keep it as one file.

Four thousand is a lot of downloads. It's a shame that some people act that way, but on the other hand of four thousand down load, it seems that only a handful acted in such a manner. Placing the download on the main page is a good idea.

I'll send you the file sometime this afternoon, and try to check this board prior to doing so.

Oldman · September 16, 2008, 10:20:02 AM

Just a reminder to send them to the raye.... E-mail addy.
Thanks