Notification When Install is Run

[NewsArchive]

Is there any way to send me a notification automatically that my install
program has been downloaded and run?

--
Lynn Howard
Linked Software
www.linkedsoftware.com

[NewsArchive]

Lynn,

> Is there any way to send me a notification automatically that my install
> program has been downloaded and run?

Yes and no. From the technical point-of-view, it's not a problem and one
script line can handle it.

You can use the "Post to HTTP Server..." script function and let the
installer send a post request to your server and your CGI can automatically
send you an email. But there is no guarantee that your request makes it
through to your server (e.g. blocked by a firewall setting). You can let
your server process this installer POST request and send back a special code
to the installer. Then the install will only continue if the request went
through to your server.

But be warned. This is some kind of "phone home" system and it's very well
possible that your users might not like it at all and submit your program to
their anti-spyware provider. As a result, your install might be blocked by
a future virus- or anti-spyware definition update.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

BTW, you can even use this method to let the installer send you the version
of the program, the name of the computer, the login name, the IP address,
etc. No technical limit here.

-BUT-

In most countries this is considered to be illegal and unethical. I
strongly suggest to NOT use such a phone-home mechanism.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Thanks for the heads up Friedrich.

I think I'll pass on my brainstorm. ;-)

Lynn

[NewsArchive]

I have a small 'phone home' program for my program that syncs data with our
online reservation system... I simply send an xml file to one of my ftp
folders. It was meant as an alarm for our customers so they would know if
our program had not synced in a while.. it only sends every 15 minutes....
because they were syncing anyway.... Then I wrote a small program that
grabbed the xml files and imported them into a small program on my desktop
for analysis.. it's also part of my copy protection so people can't use the
software at multiple stores.

But I only do this with my sync software because it's already sending out
xml files for the online sync.
If people are downloading from your web page and installing updated software
I think you have a perfect right to know about it. Plus it's good to have
records for your customers. However, it might be better for your program to
do it instead of the installer (or updater).

I haven't done this yet, but I'm thinking that I could detect the new
version and send myself a small file.. but maybe ask the customer if it's
OK.. like just after they've updated off of the internet.

Ray
VMT