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kj

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31/05/2021
Topic: A More Flexible Way of "Installing" Apps like PA

kj
kj
 Hi Gian! I can't believe I've been missing out on your SyMenu for so many years I've ben using PortableApps & subsequently moving it to Google Backup&Sync + Drive File Stream.

Indeed I need to move up to more techie tool which can autoexec .bat / command line parameters. Have read your manual but not sure whether I missed anything. Here's my wishlist:

1. Easier installation by way of copy paste Apps folder into a lower nested folder preferred (Windows 256 char limitation). I tried copy from SyMenusuite into another instance installed SyMenu and it doesn't work. All the apps ended up in _Trash. ^^ Time/bandwidth consumption to redo the same apps.

2. To able have different user rights access to specific Apps / Containers, running SyApps as a Google Synching service. Something akinned to Win10 AppLocker. Actually intend to run this as local service synced with other workstations to save time on redoing setting/installation/update. Google's upcoming major update unfortunately will remove this NTFS permissibility when doing away with Backup & Sync app.

3. A separate download/install window. Enabling multi-tasking that we can do other config/browse SyMenu suite apps as download/installation is in progress.

4. Some guideline on how to set Java path for non-SPSapps. I tried installing Oracle JDK Java 8 x64 and x86. However, the SPSapps still required me to install a local path JRE. Is there anything which I've missed? Is there a workaround in linking the different style of coding/location of .jar .exe files of different apps to make them run locally from a portable path?

Generally, i disable Windows Update and prefer not to mess up the OS, thereby preferring portable apps, simpler method of maintenance.

Unfortunately Jportable Launcher apps does not function as a seamless linker. Have to browse search for the .jar file each time.


5. Easier method of Auto-Update for SPSapps Less techie setup.

There is limitation with Google Drive File Stream in that it being a virtual drive. Hence can't assign NTFS permission unlike normal folders.
Resorted to Backup & Sync method for selective sync into local Google Drive with which able to do NTFS assignment.

Unfortunately PortableApps has grown to become too basic tool for me. Need spend too much time to tinker with it.

Actually what does the directories within SPSsuite do? I tested portable apps which are not from PortableApps platform (but can run portably). Created MyCustomSuite within and it appears in NEW TAB in Add New Program. I believe I would still need to do manual update for each software?


Do keep up the good work! Unfortunately I still have to install PortableApps for easy apps update maintenance.

Hence my example folder paths:
C:\Apps\PortableApps [which also is the root folder SyMenu]
>> Had to create Apps folder as Apps folder itself is actually my "Google Drive" local folder path.
>> This method makes me easier to add Items via Batch Import
>> And I include PortableApps.comPlatform.exe to Autorun Update on click.
(this the only plausible way i could think of to chain all my apps together within single launcher menu)

Thanks & God Bless for the good work you've put in!

edited by kj on 31/05/2021

edited by kj on 31/05/2021
31/05/2021
Topic: A More Flexible Way of "Installing" Apps like PA

kj
kj
 Gian, just to let'cha know, I discovered SyMenu via NirSoft. And this is the particular reason why would need AppLocker / protected access from apps like NirSoft from Google Backup & Sync's simple setup from standard/specified users.

Only Google Backup can disconnect synching without the need to download all offline files again unlike Google Drive Stream's virtual drive (bandwidth/time issue).
04/06/2021
Topic: A More Flexible Way of "Installing" Apps like PA

kj
kj
 Thanks Gian! Just to clarify:

1. Easier installation by way of copy paste Apps folder
My newly installed SyMenu Suite Apps lacks any custom set config. Hence they're all trashed? I've gotten so used to copy&paste using portableapps platform and thought it would of the same. ^^ Noted there is an option of install apps from web download/offline packages.


The offline packages are which files? Is that the 210605 (daily dated) file from which to pull info from and from which will assist to copy the entire folder structure over to replicated setup?




2a. To able have different user rights access to specific Apps / Containers

Thanks! FS = Folder Structure? Yes, indeed currently structuring along these lines to keep things simple & manageable. Am planning to lockdown workstation by way of GP's Software Restriction Policy. Noticed not all apps are standardized when it comes to folder path's etc. Hence, what is the best practice with regards to path location of AppData, ProgramData, UserData, Temp/Others, Within SyMenu at lower level of folder position?



3. A separate download/install window.
Noted! Yes, that makes sense. Just have to wait out the installation. ^^


4. Some guideline on how to set Java path for non-SPSapps + Manual Update in SyMenu
Lolz, I kind of figured not fully automated. Good lord you have indeed put a lot effort in the maintenance. Some apps auto-notify on updates and SyMenu yet to. thanks for the link on Java. I re-read your manual to figure out.



>> Good to have feature: Drop a Ticket/Feedback to Developer of Apps
It will be cool to have this feature. Example: Stickies - i think some files are missing. Patched the missing using PortableApps working folder. I do appreciate very much the deep level of thought you went into designing SyMenu - the functionality, process flow.


Wishlist Apps
Seriously, after I separated out into 3 different groups, not much and you've covered much ground:
a. SyMenu Suite (auto-update)
b. PortableApps (launch platform to auto-update) wrap it within SyMenu folder path
c. MyCustom Suite (have put on lower folder after realized how the *.exe has been mapped).


CustomApps are mostly which you mentioned in your manual - .NET enabled but is not built to be installed portably. And as you said, have gone more towards looking at other apps in SyMenuSuite to replace those of MyCustom or PortableApps. Those which I can't find are mainly these:


PortableApps
  • Games mostly and is not that important kinda^^: Minesweeper, Solitaire, Tetris, etc.
  • Custom Browsers: OperaGX, Firefox + PrivateBrowsing (both had to work in hand as inhouse developed), Pencil2D (this which there is none SySuite), Pencil Project (probably replacable by draw.io / others)
  • Possibly not so in demand apps:
    - DYNDNS, CommandPrompt (dos-prompt context menu),
    - FreeFileSync (unfortunately not free for current versions which directly syncs with cloud accounts.
    - SyncTrazor/SyncThing (SyMenu) kinda techie and it just crashed one of my Win7 PC, but very stable with Win10
    - Kaspersky TDSS Killer, McAfee Stinger (antivirus dealing with malware/rootkits)
    - Others: Spybot, TinyTask, WhatChanged, WhoDat, WinMTR >> These am screening out in favor of similar apps in SyMenu



CustomApps (once have find something similar would be switching to SyMenu apps. Have switched quite some in past few days)
  • BelArc Advisor
  • AskAdmin, MouseWheel NoZoom - I think I come across a few of the developer's apps in SyMenu. www.sordum.org
  • Convert - prefer author's version to Converber https://joshmadison.com/convert-for-windows/
  • Other antivirus, mostly for WinPE offline scanning: Eset, Malwarebytes Anti Malware + Anti Rootkit + Junkware Removal, MS Defender Offline
  • DeskPins (http://efotinis.neocities.org/deskpins/index.html)
  • Disk Drill
  • Moffsoft FreeCalc (www.moffsoft.com)
  • MWsnap (fast easy screen cap)
  • PENetwork Manager (WinPE use)
  • VHD / ISO related conversion/mounting tools
  • Windows Auto-Update Manager - replacing & blocking window's default as am using Rollback RX system for snapshot
  • Windows Update / Repair kits. Installed some from SyMenu. Hopefully is almost similar features.



Other possible wishlist:

  • Lightweight Android emulators with network connectivity for running apps which are non Windows based (had came across Knox Player not tested yet for stablity/lightload)

This probably a matter of time as Google's making few big moves this year doing away with Chrome Webstore + Drive/BackupNsync merge. Portable apps still a better idea than meddling with Windows' Linux Subsystem. If there's any such emulators out there. Mostly are too heavy and for gaming.


Windows works best -- if ain't broken, don't go and fix it. Haha

edited by kj on 04/06/2021
13/06/2021
Topic: Suggestion: B/G theme colour with few hues

kj
kj
 Hi Gian,

Actually the fastest way I can think of to duplicate different SyMenu for my nephew, self and others is to create a "master" copy and then to install/uninstall apps according to needs. Dealing with Java JARs, batch files has been too complex for me. Gave up and switched to non-Java apps. smile Can solve one app, but can't solve another.


Whilst doing that, here's my feedback on UI, colour, 'tooltip' box sizes, etc. Here's my experience to share:
  • Max, only one single level main container: Difficult to go beyond single level due to sub-menu appear at different levels and speed of changes.

  • When I have another sub-container and if menu is placed to side of screen, sub-sub menu ended up flipping back to the main menu side, thus overlapping the main menu. Same colour b/g is rather confusing and the speed of menu switch is too fast. Hence, made do the best with current layout to be functional enough. haha.

  • Perhaps few different hues of black colour if is chosen as main theme. Base menu darkest, 2nd level container lighter, tooltip, light colored/boxed.

  • More standardized tooltip box size: Perhaps like Twitter style of charcount? Form fields like to fill-up? As in General Info, Further Desc/Specs/latest changelog

  • Not sure whether any SyMenuSuite apps update if publisher changes desc whether what I typed/edited inside would be gone. upset

  • Making it informative enough for my nephew to understand the choice of apps passed to him to explore with. smile
  • tooltip / description could have some kind of charcount to limit description text to necessity. Speed of submenu switches makes it difficult

  • Like the cool feature LINK TO FOLDER with items displayed. It would be great if can create Separate Launcher for this. Easier to browse through files within and act as if a small mini-Win Explorer.

If can have more structure for like desc/tooltip, would be glad to help out on edits.






edited by kj on 13/06/2021
13/06/2021
Topic: Feature Request: Autoexec, Wait/Kill Task

kj
kj
 Hi Gian,

Furthering on your start/close autoexec for SyMenu, it would be great if:

  • Autoexec open/close feature for Program Items as well (for those of us not too inclined to meddle with BAT files)

  • Able to wait for autoexec task to complete (if for close) and execute a killtask > Shutdown (maintenance tasks)

  • Able to specify more than one task to autoexec with simple time delay function? I think monitoring idle time before EXEC - that's more to Windows Task Scheduler.



Cheers!

KJ
13/06/2021
Topic: launch script silently

kj
kj
 Thanks! Took me half-day to look for solution. Didn't realize there is same similar in this forum.

Gian, I'm still not quite understand on the parameters on working directory, etc.

To make things simple, should I actually be specifying working directory for all SPSapps? And does this parameter works for other apps which are portable in nature due to no other dependencies not present in the OS?

If this works, what is your recommended settings that I can just copy paste to all the params field boxes. haha.

Have completed my custom menu. Now is to fine-tune on the working folders lest it not too confusing for my family members.
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