Introducing: Ketarin

[Flo]

Hi all,

I always keep a compilation of the latest setup packages of my favourite software.
However, it is quite a lot of work to keep track of such updates. I searched for a tool to help me with that, but since I couldn't find one (only tools which were meant to keep my system up to date instead of just downloading the stuff), I decided to come up with something myself.
I'm now done and quite pleased with the result. I'll call this application "Ketarin", and you may download it (as well as the source code) from the website.
Screenshots and instructions are available.

I usually put the setups on an USB stick, but it my as well serve as a complement to CDBurnerXP if you burn these files to CD or DVD. Some feedback is appreciated

Regards,
Flo

[sabio]

Have you tried WebMon? (http://www.btinternet.com/~markwell/webmon/)
It will not download updates, though. But still can monitor web resources for changes in a way very similar to Ketarin.

[Flo]

Yep, I have used this application in the past a lot.

[Chillstar]

This seems like a great idea- Webmon's good, but the more we can automate this kind of stuff the better in my book.

Thanks for the great tool- I'll give it a shot and let you know if I have any problems /ideas / feedback.

Cheers

Marcus

[wroot]

And i'm still using Webmon (and for many years now) :) Automatic donwloading could be great. But there are some issues. What if page changes something, what will happen with the download? In Webmon i get an error, so i know i have to check that page and my filter. Another thing is that i have my own setup naming scheme, and most of the software i monitor doesnt include version numbers with their setups. Too many problems will be for me.

Good idea though, for some applications. But i already have 387 monitorings in my Webmon :D

[Flo]

If a web page changes in a way that it can no longer be processed by Ketarin, you will get an error. Or rather a list of errors at the end of the process.

A custom naming scheme could be possible, in combination with a service like FileHippo or custom variables which are already used for the URL.

[SwampCat@]

Hi Flo,

Two good programs to check in this area are
Update Star http://www.updatestar.com/
Securina http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
even if those can sometimes make little mistakes, they will give you pretty accurate picture of what's going on regarding installed on you system and draw your attention
But I will definitely check your utility.
There is always a subset of Software you have to keep updated in the first place as "must do"
The very attractive and indeed helpful feature (from screenshots & description) is the part where user can save/see the local download location. I have to look closer (work with Utility :-) to get better understanding of the differences as for file/folder ... but one thing for sure - that should be good stuff.
I have downloads on External drive. I am pretty much organized. The folders & setup files are named and categorized in a very self explanatory structure and naming convention, but believe me or not - currently there are 1.271 folders(!) ... I mean, I always have a reason to think ( :-) ) and spend some time in order to move current downloads into proper places.
Cheers
SwampCat

[Flo]

Yep, I know these applications as well, but they work quite a bit differently. Ketarin doesn't check your system, but only your setup packages.

[wroot]

Update Star looks like a copy of FileHippo :) Anyway, such services are good for MS or Adobe stuff, because there is no easy way to monitor that yourself. Some developers have a very tricky download schemes, so i can't monitor them easily with say Webmon. But i can't rely fully on those services (FileHippo, UpdateStar), because one day they maybe down and i will be left with no updates.

One more thing about why i prefer only the notifications, is that i want to know what has been updated, what new version has appeared and maybe check the changelog. Havent tried Ketarin yet, maybe it doesnt only download, but notifies too.

[SwampCat]

Hi Flo,

This is just an introduction page.
Can we expect Discussion/Bugs and other pages for Keratin?

Cheers

P.S.
Meanwhile, what could this mean at the prog. startup?
"Could not create or load the database file: The type initializer for 'System.Transactions.Diagnostics.DiagnosticTrace' threw an exception."

[Flo]

This is just an introduction page.
Can we expect Discussion/Bugs and other pages for Keratin?

Once it's worth it, sure.

"Could not create or load the database file: The type initializer for 'System.Transactions.Diagnostics.DiagnosticTrace' threw an exception."

Usually this hints at corrupted .NET Framework installations. You might want to try a reinstallation, also see http://cdburnerxp.se/help/intro/faq for a tool which does that.

[SwampCat]

Thanks for reply, Flo.

First, sorry for misspelling Ketarin. (this board doesn't have Edit ...hmmm)

As for Framework. Bad luck. As you know I have the latest (3.5 SP1) and installed properly.
The A.Stebner's cleaner used as well but just to prove the fact. SP1 of 3.5 will break all Framework 2 applications. If I uninstall SP1 they work again. Framework 2 always was the clearest to insatall, meaning never reported any issues when using Aaron's Framework integrity checkup Utility.

Few notes about the FAQ link you provided.
1) it referres to Framework 3.0 as the latest, which is not (and frameworks 3 & 2 should be with SP2).
2) the advice to uninstall Comodo Firewall was the most surprising thing (Why??) It is the best firewall ever. CDbunerXP always worked with Comodo, staring from version 2. Now it is the latest 3 with Defense+ (HIPS) ... no issues with burner.

... but the latest framework unfortunately is a problem somehow. No answers from MS yet.

My regards

[Flo]

In any case, there is something fishy with your frameworks, because - as you know - 3.5 should not break 2.0 applications. This error message is probably a result of that. The Google results hint at it too. Does it make a difference if the config file is included?

[SwampCat]

Hi Flo,

It doesn't make a difference if the said config file is present in Ketarin's directory...
unless you meant something different

As for "Google hint at it", is there any new info for me to read ? Where is the hint :-) ?

Cheers

[Flo]

I don't know if it's new for you: http://www.google.com/search?q=The+type ... +exception