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Info on OS X for update versions

Many of the "updates" that are notified are for later versions of OS X than I have installed. Would it be possible to match update versions to installed OS X?

Due to hardware limitations, I cannot upgrade to the latest OS X (Mountain Lion).

CrlyWrly, 19.12.2012, 22:56
Response from the site administrator
macinformer, 20.12.2012
We're considering implementing this, indeed. I can't give you an ETA at the moment, but this feature has been on the table for a while, and we've already done a number of back-end changes to help our app recognise OS-specific versions and links.

I've voted in favour of the idea myself, just in case.
Idea status: under consideration

Comments

CrlyWrly, 20.12.2012, 08:26
"I've voted in favour of the idea myself, just in case. " :-)

Excellent!

The Mac Update site seems to have a "half-way house" with the reviews including links to the various OS X downloads. That sort of system at least stops you having to visit the developer site to discover which OS X is/are covered by the most recent update.

I have added OSX compatibility info in comments on some of the apps I use but that is not a very prominent place for it.

Best wishes,
CrlyWrly
macinformer, 20.12.2012, 09:55
It's better than nothing, thanks for doing that. We could ask our reviewers to mention compatibility issues in their reviews as well, but I'm not sure that'd be any more evident than comments.

We tried using indirect download links for OS-specific apps before (those were redirecting users to official websites, much like Mac Update), but the vocal majority of then-Lion users complained about not being able to download anything from within Mac Informer itself. To be fair, it was kind of a half-way solution as well: the update notifications were the same for users of all OSX versions, and everyone had to pop in to each app's website every time a new update was out; but only the lucky Lion users were able to actually get the update after all that trouble.

If we are to make distinctions between various OSX versions (and maybe even mind the occasional PPC download as well), we'd better do it properly - with separate versioning systems, OS autodetection, and all.
CrlyWrly, 21.12.2012, 04:04
Version info in reviews is definitely more prominent than in comments, if reviewers can be bothered to add it.

I just had a go at adding some info and corrections to the page for Songsheet Generator so got a peek at what the set-up is for reviewers.

I agree that a more complete solution is preferable but if the ETA is far distant then, assuming the world doesn't end today in accordance with Mayan calendar, maybe an extra field to prompt reviewers might help? There is only one field for version info - maybe something like this would help (easier than me trying to explain):

Version: xxxxxx Compatibility: (list of "tick as many as applies" check-boxes for Mountain Lion, Lion, etc.)

Version: xxxxxx Compatibility: : (list of "tick as many as applies" check-boxes for Mountain Lion, Lion, etc.)

Including fields for more than one version would save you having to do a new review just to add another version:compatibility match.

Or is that a really messy half-way-house-solution best forgotten as soon as possible?? If so, don't worry about giving me an explanation - "Computer says 'NO!'" will suffice :-)
macinformer, 21.12.2012, 04:54
Actually, that's exactly how it's tackled on Software Informer and Drivers Informer. :) I guess we'll go along those lines, aye.

For now, we'll just ask our reviewers to add a line or two about OS compatibility.
CrlyWrly, 21.12.2012, 13:54
Ah! Feeling really rather pleased with myself for thinking up something that made sense :-)

I had better have a look at Drivers Informer before I forget . . .

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