Runtime Distribution
How do I distribute the plugin with a runtime? I am creating the runtime with the plugin in the extensions folder and somehow in copying the entire thing to a CD or thumb drive the plugin becomes useless.
I tried keeping the plugin zipped up on the flash drive and then unzipping it manually on my "customers" computers -- still no luck.
The only thing that seems to work is downloading a fresh copy of the plugin from the website directly to the customer's computer.
Thanks,
Bill
More info
Micah,
Thanks for the reply. It is on both Mac and Windows that we experienced the problem.
I have tried to zip the entire runtime folder. I make sure that everything is read-write as well.
The symptom is that the solution opens and the plugin won't load. On some new Macs, the plugin icon looks different -- I forget exactly, it looks like a lego chip and says something like the file type is a package or bundle or something. Then if I download it directly to someone's computer, I recal that it doesn't look like a lego anymore, looks like a plugin.
The file size seems the same too. It is just as if it were corrupted by my transfer.
I thought there was perhaps some lock-down of the plugin to make sure it doesn't get distributed by the developer like this -- that is obviously not the case, so hopefully I'll figure it out.
Thanks,
Bill
Runtime Distribution
Hello Bill,
Is the issue on Mac, Windows, both? I don't have much experience with runtimes but I do know of people that are distributing their runtime solutions with SmartPill.
What if you zip the entire runtime and then unzip it when installed?
What exactly happens? I'm guessing your solution opens but the plug-in doesn't load? And doesn't appear in the preferences?
I gave it a try myself and things seem to be working. You can try downloading these to see if they work for you:
http://www.scodigo.com/downloads/smartpill/test/runtime/mac/Testbed_Inte...
http://www.scodigo.com/downloads/smartpill/test/runtime/win/Testbed_Win....
Regards,
Micah
More Info
I had another group test out the system, this time it crashed FM on loading the PHPx functions.
Here is exactly what happened:
- Create the Runtime on my PPC Mac (OS 10.5.7)
- Download the latest plugin (2.0.1)
- Move the PHP_Intel.fmplugin and PHP_PPC.fmplugin into Extensions folder
- Burn CD's for some, place on
- Users copy contents to their newer Intel Macs
- Open FM, loads Plugin (result = "0"), loads PHPx functions, directly after, FM crashes
- Deleted the plugin from the Extensions folder
- FM opens fine
- Download the plugin directly to user's computer
- Open FM, loads Plugin, loads PHPx functions, all works fine
I will mail you a copy of the actual CD that I distributed to my test users yesterday. If you copy the Mac runtime to your computer, and open Velvet Singer, I suspect FM will crash. Perhaps you can take a look at the PHP_Intel.fmplugin and see if it somehow gets corrupted or if there is something else going on.
I'll send the package today to:
2602 Carlyle Dr.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Thanks,
Bill
Can't Include Both PPC and Intel
Hello Bill,
Got your disk and the first thing I checked was the Extensions folder where I noticed both the PPC and Intel versions. I realize you stated this in your post, it just didn't register with me until I saw it.
I think the issue is that you've included both versions and this is known to cause issues. The solution is to either distribute separate versions, one for Intel and one for PPC or to use an installer that only installs one or the other.
Try making a CD with only a single version of the plug-in and I think you'll find it works. You could also just delete the one you don't need and I think that would fix it as well.
Regards,
Micah