Trying to create a countdown timer custom dialog

[cnkinsd]

Hi,

Like the product so far...
I am trying to create a custom dialog that displays a countdown timer and updates the progress control automatically. Similar to the example dialog8 in Custom Dialog Demo 1.sb8 except without the need to click something. The updating should happen similar to Dialog 1.sb8 in the examples. Additionally I need custom buttons to be displayed so the progress dialog is not sufficient since I cannot add buttons to the dialog.

So far, I can get it to update once, then not again after that. Is this even possible without some sort of user intervention?

What I am trying to do is create a popup that has a pre-determined lifetime, say 5 minutes, before the install cancels automatically when the timer runs out, unless the user clicks an Install button before the timer runs out. The progress bar showing the time elapsed is ideal for what we need, or even a countdown time, "you have **.** minutes left before exit..."

Again, is this even possible to do? Any advice or hints would be a great help!

Thank you
Kel

[linder]

Kel,

I have to check a few things before answering this question. I'll get back to you ASAP.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
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[linder]

In the current V8.0 the "timer" can't be handled in custom dialogs. We are doing some Research and Development right now to see if we can add it to the soon coming V8.1. We like the idea very much.

Friedrich

[linder]

Kel,

Thank you again for the interesting idea. I believe we found a solution (a brand new feature) on how to handle this scenario. Regression testing is in-progress.

I'll post more information soon...

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official COMODO Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[linder]

Kel,

We have enhanced the SetupBuilder 8 installer runtime/compiler and added some new functions based on your idea. There is a new EVENT:ONTIMER option now in the Custom Wizard Dialog Properties to handle your scenario.

If you are interested, please download the following file (compiled with the latest internal SetupBuilder 8.1.) and see the attached screenshots.

http://www.lindersoft.com/projects/CountdownTimer.zip

The soon coming SetupBuilder 8.1 lets you create a custom dialog that displays a countdown timer and updates the progress control automatically. The above demo displays a "You have **.** minutes left before exit..." text and updates the progress bar. If the user clicks "Start Installation Now" then the installer will continue (start). If the Countdown Timer reaches zero, the application terminates. BTW, the demo will not do anything -- it's just a 'quick and dirty' example.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official COMODO Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[MCooker66]

There is a new EVENT:ONTIMER option now in the Custom Wizard Dialog Properties to handle your scenario.

Now that's a cool new feature. It's absolutely amazing what you guys do!

Mike

[PAULWILLIAMS]

Friedrich,

This is a very powerful new feature! I can think of a million useful things I could use that for......... Will this be available in SetupBuilder 8.1 or a later release?

PAUL WILLIAMS
Developer of Governmental Solutions

[PAULWILLIAMS]

In the script, I see FUNCTION:Percentage and FUNCTION:Convert seconds into "HH:MM:SS" which are not available in my SB version. Are these new functions or already available in my 8.0?

I'm so very excited and looking forward to V8.1 :) This is a new killer feature.

PAUL WILLIAMS
Developer of Governmental Solutions

[linder]

Thank you, Paul :)

Yes, the new EVENT:ONTIMER option will be available in SetupBuilder 8.1.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official COMODO Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[linder]

I share your excitement :)

Yes, the above mentioned functions will be available in SetupBuilder 8.1.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official COMODO Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[MJonas77]

I NEED THIS TODAY :-)

No, joking apart, this is a wonderful new feature. I will definitely use it in our projects.

Martin

[ArthurVail]

As usual, the Lindersoft team is very responsive to feature requests. This EVENT:ONTIMER feature is a very good addition.

We switched over to SetupBuilder quite some time ago and we did not regret it for a second.

Keep up the great work!!

[linder]

Thank you, Arthur.

Friedrich

[linder]

Thank you, Mike!

[linder]

Thank you, Martin. The wait will come to an end soon ;)

Friedrich

[cnkinsd]

Friedrich,

Thank you for your most professional handling of this request. The new timer event will be a GREAT addition to an already wonderful product, making it more powerful and a much better fit for our new solution for packaging and redistribution of software.

This is a truly great product. Thank you

Kel

[linder]

Kel,

Thanks so much for your kind words!!

Friedrich

[PAULWILLIAMS]

AWESOME!!!!!!

PAUL WILLIAMS
Developer of Governmental Solutions

[cnkinsd]

Friedrich,

Would it be possible to put in a default button option into this? What I would be interested in is to reverse the process also so that the setup continues after the timer runs out as well as exiting the installation when the timer runs out.

Kel

[linder]

Kel,

Yes, I think it should be possible. We'll make the new SetupBuilder 8.1 available later today and then let's play with it :)

Friedrich

[linder]

Kel,

SetupBuilder 8.1 is available now and there is a new "CountdownTimer.sb8" demo in the updated Examples Package.

Please let me know what you think.

Friedrich