There are some very good reasons for providing the update files in a zip format. For one, zipping the upgrade file has shrunk it to about half size in the past. This reduces demand on the download server by about half and gets the file faster to the user system, which might make the difference between a successful download and a corrupted file due to flaky connections and such. With KeySoft 9, this becomes even more of a benefit because this upgrade file is more than sixty MB, as opposed to the older mPower upgrade bin files that were around 45 MB. Also, it provides an additional check on the downloaded file integrity because unzip does some kind of crc check to determine the zip archive is not corrupted. One would hope Humanware also does validity checking on upgrade files to be sure they are not corrupted during download before actually starting the upgrade process but I do not know if they do this or not. I have a friend using earth1 as an isp who not only can not receive file attachments with exe extensions but can't even get them when they are in zip archives. Although he can download such files. If my isp started blocking me from downloading files I want or need, I think I would be changing providers. Richard Ehrler
On Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:23:05 -0800, Peggy Kern wrote: >Hi, all. I'm really angry at the moment at what appears to be a change in >the way Humanware provides upgrades for BrailleNotes, or maybe it's just a >change in the way they provide them for the Apex. > >I don't know how many old-timers we have on the list. When Humanware first >created the downloadable upgrades for its BrailleNote products, there were a >couple of us who couldn't download them in the format on the website. We >tried everything: turning off firewalls, changing settings, having people >try to send them to us via Sendspace, you name it, but no go. Humanware >responded to this by putting up a .zip version of that upgrade, and of all >future upgrades, which made us able to keep our products up-to-date. > >Recently we had an upgrade to the Apex, and surprise! there was no .zip >file. I thought at first this might have been an oversight, but just >received word tonight from a Humanware person that, from what they're >hearing, there won't be a .zip copy put up on the web. This person is going >to see what can be done to get me a .zip copy of the file, which will be >wonderful. But what about future upgrades? If, for whatever reason, my >Internet provider or whatever it is won't let these types of files come >through, does that mean I won't be able to upgrade my Apex? .zip files are >a common file type, so I don't understand why it should be so difficult to >provide .zip versions of upgrades like they used to with the mPower. > >I'm not new to downloading files from the net or upgrading software. I've >upgraded Sendero products and GPS maps (which have been .zip files), as well >as many other programs. The only files I've ever had problems downloading >are the upgrades for the BrailleNote that aren't in .zip format. > >The Humanware employee I communicated with told me that if several people >were having this problem, they might be able to get this changed. So I >wonder two things.: Why does it have to be several people who have this >problem before it will be changed? How hard is it to zip up a file and put >it up? Humanware did it in the past when there were just two of us who >couldn't get the upgrades. How many people will have to have this problem >in order to get the alternative format? > >But since they're wondering if there are other people with this problem, the >other thing I'm wondering is --- are there? I don't know if the other lady >who had problems with upgrades is still on the list. It seems to me I >remember someone just recently having a problem downloading the Apex >upgrade. Whoever you are, did you eventually get it downloaded? > >Any suggestions or input anyone has will be greatly appreciated. And if >anyone has thoughts on things that may make the upgrade downloadable by my >system, I'd love to hear them, though most likely I've already done them, as >it's been this way for years. > >In the meantime, I'll hope that Humanware reconsiders its no-.zip policy, >and that it demonstrates the kind of concern for its customers that it used >to show, which made several of us long-time customers. > >Peggy <trying to calm down> >http://kernsac.livejournal.com > >http://facebook.com/kernsac > > >__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature >database 4805 (20100125) __________ > >The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > >http://www.eset.com > > > > >___ >Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. >If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a >copy to the list as well. > >To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >[email protected] >To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
___ Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a copy to the list as well. To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [email protected] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
