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Message-ID:  <[log in to unmask]>
Date:         Thu, 8 Feb 2001 10:17:02 -0500
Reply-To:     ImageJ Interest Group <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       ImageJ Interest Group <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Jarek Sacha <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Webstart enabling Image/J (was: Update function)

What about enabling Image/J to install using Webstart (
http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/index.html ).
In short, Webstart can automatically download and install a Java application on
a computer and monitor for upgrades. When new version of an application is
posted on a server Webstart automatically downloads the new version. This would
make significantly easier to keep track of new releases of Image/J.

On the server Webstart is quite easy to setup.
1) You need to new MIME type called JNPL (Java Network Lunching Protocol), this
is one extra line in server configuration script.
2) A short XML file describing components of an application needs to be created.
It can simple state that application consist of a single JAR file, e.g. ij.jar.
It can also describe additional files, e.g. plugins.
3) Application JAR files need to be signed for security reasons to verify their
authenticity.

On the client side Webstart requires installation of Webstart software from SUN.
After that you can install on you computer Webstart enabled application simply
using you browser. That is instead of downloading a file and then setting it up
manually you click on properly enabled link and Webstart does it for you. Under
MS Windows, for instance, installation includes optional creation of shortcuts
on your desktop and in Start menu.

As an example of Webstart enabled application you can checkout Jext editor (
http://jext.sourceforge.net/webstart.html ).

I think that Webstart-enabling Image/J would make it much easier for many users
to always have the latest version of Image/J running on their computers.

Jarek




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From: Marcus Spiegel <[log in to unmask]> on 02/08/2001 12:12 AM GMT

              Marcus Spiegel           To:   [log in to unmask]
 <[log in to unmask]>           Cc:    (bcc: Jarek Sacha-JP/PGI)
                               Subject:      Update function

     02/08/2001 12:12 AM GMT
    Please respond to ImageJ
              Interest Group
       <[log in to unmask]>






hi wayne!

what about an easy update function for example under the help menu?

this would only need to dowload the actual jar file from the upgrade
directory (of course only applicable if one runs ImageJ directly using the jar
file),
but what would greatly facilitate upgrading...

greetings,
malex


--
marcus spiegel
institute for biomedical engineering
university and ETH zurich

gloriastrasse 35    email:  [log in to unmask]
CH - 8092 zurich    phone:            +41 1 255 30 53
switzerland         fax:              +41 1 255 45 06


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