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Whats the difference between Program Updates and a Version Upgrade, you may ask.
Developers use special software to develop their applications (e.g. Flower Genie). The Development software is usually quite expensive, and due to licencing agreements the full Development platform software
cannot be “distributed” to users of applications.
Instead, developers are permitted to distribute what is known as a Run Time library to make their programs work.
When you installed Flower Genie, you also installed a Run Time Library which was part of the installation package.
The programs in Flower Genie have complete reliance on that Run Time Library.
If a program
can be modified a) within the current design of the database and b) does not require a higher version of the current Run Time Library installed, then the programs can be offered for download as simple
Program Updates.
Advances in computer technology cause a ripple all the way down the line. Software (e.g. Windows operating systems) must keep up with advances in hardware architecture - a chicken and egg
scenario.
The providers of the software used by developers must re-vamp their software to take advantage of the exciting new features. Software Developers (e.g. moi) must invest in the resultant upgrades, and
spend many happy hours upgrading their software products (e.g. Flower Genie).
The end of the ripple? A new Run Time Library is required to make their upgraded programs run.
Thats not a problem with new customers. They simply get the latest Run Time Library on their CD or in the Download.
A mechanism is required to distribute the new Run Time Library to existing customers.
Since the Run Time Library needs to be registered on the User Computer, the best solution is to issue a Version Upgrade. This was the case in the Flower Genie upgrade to Version 2
An upgrade is also required when changes are made to the database structure.
There have been a number of minor changes to the structure since Flower Genie was introduced, (e.g. new data fields) but Ive
handled those changes by providing special programs.
Look under your System tab on your Flower Genie Menu and you’ll find the program Special-FG901 (a download)
You’ll be able to keep up to date with such
minor changes by visiting the Ideas Genie Community Forum, and looking out for “Whats New” on the Flower Genie board.
Users who havent been taking advantage of the forum news are advised to buy an upgrade when it comes along.
During the upgrade, the latest database structure is installed, and your live data is brought into the new database.
This (and other major factors) was the case in the Flower Genie upgrade to Version 3
Version Numbers
In Flower Genie, the version number is of the form X.YZ, and this is displayed to you as the Menu Version (an option on the program selection screen).
X is the Major Version number
YZ is the minor version number
The major version number is changed in an upgrade. 2.XY was changed to 3.01
When a simple change is done to the menu, (e.g. a new program is
added to the menu, or minor changes within the Menu programming code) the Minor version number is changed
3.01 would become 3.02
Does the revenue from upgrades cover my many hours of development?
Frankly, no, but being an optimistic gardener, I live in hope!
George
ideasforgardens.com
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