Mega Zips (.EXE-ORCISM)

[Handyman 765]

To get this topic started I would like to explain why.

This project was started when @xxdita began to release his Mega Zips on the LEX. I had extra time because of the Covid19 shutdown and was looking for another project to further my java knowledge. (Full disclosure: I am not a professional programmer, this is a hobby for me).
My first goal was to expand all the zip files into a folder structure that was consistent and easy to use. This was harder than first thought because of all the different ways files are presented within the zips. This part is now complete and the first two pictures below demonstrate this.

This first picture shows the zip structure.

This second picture shows the resulting file structure.

So this part works well now and I also use this process to create a list of all the ".exe Installers' in the Mega Zip.

During this time I read many posts regarding the general dislike for the '.exe Installers' So I went on to find out what work had gone into a solution and if there was some way to do it programmatically. I found nothing I could use but came across information about a java robot method. This led to updating a process I used many years ago. The attached video shows the last few cycles of the robot process. The complete process took about 14 minutes to run 65 installers.

 

RobotClip3.mp4

The ultimate goal of this project is an automated way to process the Mega Zip into a new Mega Zip with organized folders and zero '.exe Installers with the hope this could replace the original Mega Zips for downloading.
My personal opinion is that some '.exe installers', like NAM and CAM, should remain as is and maybe select others as well.

Is this of interest to anyone else or just me?
Your thoughts?

[xxdita 1,097]

I appreciate the work you've put into this so far, @Handyman. 

This is probably a conversation best had at SC4D though, so that all of our staff can see it and chime in. The mp4 didn't play btw. 

[Handyman 765]

2 hours ago, xxdita said:

The mp4 didn't play btw. 

Yes, I had to download it first. I tried to upload a gif but it would not go. Is there a better file format?

2 hours ago, xxdita said:

This is probably a conversation best had at SC4D though, so that all of our staff can see it and chime in.

Would a link to this topic work?

[Cyclone Boom 16,919]

5 hours ago, Handyman said:

Yes, I had to download it first. I tried to upload a gif but it would not go. Is there a better file format?

Nice work with this. In case it's useful to people, I tried uploading your demo video to the Gallery as follows.

https://community.simtropolis.com/gallery/image/3906-robotclipmp4/

I changed ownership to your account so you can edit the description as you'd like.

For me this doesn't play in Firefox but does in Chrome. (There must be some compatibility lacking in FF at least for me.)

[Handyman 765]

7 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

For me this doesn't play in Firefox but does in Chrome. (There must be some compatibility lacking in FF at least for me.)

Thank you @Cyclone Boom I had trouble withh FF as well. I had to download it and use VLC.

I have noticed other posts with what apprear to be gifs so I tried to upload this as a gif but it would not go.

[Handyman 765]

Re encoded video clip in first post now works with FireFox.

[Handyman 765]

17 hours ago, xxdita said:

This is probably a conversation best had at SC4D though, so that all of our staff can see it and chime in.

I thought about this and decided you are probably right. However I could not figure out how to make a post on SC4D. Help!

[xxdita 1,097]

Try this link. 

[Handyman 765]

I have created the post on SC4D Mega Zips (.EXE-ORCISM)

I will also try to post updates here as well.

[Cyclone Boom 16,919]

14 hours ago, Handyman said:

Re encoded video clip in first post now works with FireFox.

Confirmed working, and I've uploaded your new video directly to the server and then embedded it into your initial post using HTML code. This plays here in FF and also Chrome too, so hopefully everyone can now see it properly. It's a bit of a pest with how some files end up not previewed, and maybe the system decided the GIF was too large initially and so made it downloadable and not shown visibly as an image.

Good plan to update your Gallery entry also, and I just added a thumbnail pic to this too so it displays in the listings.

 

13 hours ago, Handyman said:

I will also try to post updates here as well.

I like this idea, as that way discussion can happen at SC4D with regard to the technicalities, and then keeping those who check here informed too.

There certainly sounds like merit for anything which makes content more accessible to install. All the best with the project!

[c4bl3fl4m3 405]

If this is what I think this is, as a Mac user... THANK YOU. <3 (Also, Java is cross-platform, although it's possible to program in Java in a way that only works on Windows (according to my programmer friend I consulted re: this sort of thing). If this is programmed in a way that Macs can use it too, I'd be willing to help with the project.)

[Handyman 765]

2 hours ago, c4bl3fl4m3 said:

Also, Java is cross-platform, although it's possible to program in Java in a way that only works on Windows (according to my programmer friend I consulted re: this sort of thing

At this point I am not completely sure it will work on windows, I am developing in Linux ( Ubuntu 18.04). I am aware there are differences in the programming and have tried to address that but it has yet to be determined if I was successful. I have very limited knowledge of the mac operating system other than it is a Linux derivative. Perhaps, if your willing, when I get a little further in the process you could test it out. If your 'programmer friend' has any ideas how to corral a robot, the information would be much appreciated. As I said earlier, I am not a professional programmer.

[xxdita 1,097]

11 hours ago, c4bl3fl4m3 said:

If this is what I think this is, as a Mac user... THANK YOU. <3 (Also, Java is cross-platform, although it's possible to program in Java in a way that only works on Windows (according to my programmer friend I consulted re: this sort of thing). If this is programmed in a way that Macs can use it too, I'd be willing to help with the project.)

This bot does not change how installer exe's are processed. It simply automates the process, so that users don't have to go through each installer manually. 

MAC users would need a bot that could automate the use of File Juicer for multiple files, unless that program already allows for such a thing? 

[Handyman 765]

Update; I am currently researching another idea to maintain control of the robot which involves monitoring system processes (PID's). I have used a similar approach in a bash project but this time it will also have to work on a windows machine so there is much research to be done.

Just to clarify why I am using a robot if it is so hard to control. At the current time there is no way to just extract the files from the installers without running them which can be very tedious if you have a lot of them. So after a lot of time spent on dead end roads I landed on the java robot class which I can use to send virtual keystrokes to the hot keys in the installer. A major caveat to this process is that the robot does not own the installer which means the installer must retain the focus in order to receive the keystrokes. If another app or process steals said focus they now also receive the keystrokes. As you can imagine this could lead to unwanted outcomes.
So my current direction is to try and detect if another app steals the focus and pause the robot long enough to steal it back and continue.

Any thoughts or inputs are welcome.

[c4bl3fl4m3 405]

11 hours ago, xxdita said:

This bot does not change how installer exe's are processed. It simply automates the process, so that users don't have to go through each installer manually. 

Oh. Is this not to the end of creating ZIP files instead of EXEs to make things easier? (But even having something that automates the process would be huge, esp. if we could get it tied in with Wineskin. The slowest part is having to do each one individually, wait for wineskin, wait for the installer. Having it automated would be big.)

[c4bl3fl4m3 405]

20 hours ago, Handyman said:

If your 'programmer friend' has any ideas how to corral a robot, the information would be much appreciated. As I said earlier, I am not a professional programmer.

I'll ask her if she has any experience with the java robot class.

[Handyman 765]

Unfortunately I must announce that the release of the robot is not going to be an option. I cannot, in good conscience, release something that could do harm to someone, digital or otherwise. At this time I do not have the ability to secure it unless it is used specifically to control java components. So it will remain in its cage for now.

I continue to believe there can be a solution that works for everybody and I am trying to remained focused in that direction. We learn from our failures and I have learned a lot.

This happens to be a very interesting time in the world that demands a lot of our attention so progress on this will obviously slow down for some time to come.

Trust in the future.