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08-06-09, 01:04 AM   #13
Myrathi
A Fallenroot Satyr
 
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Any programmer should be at least basically familiar with the concept of "standards compliancy." If they're not, already, then now is as good a time as any to start; even for something as (arguably not) "simple" as AddOn authoring.

The solution to this versioning problem is as simple as ensuring the authors think like this: "if I want to upload AddOn-X to WoWInterface, I need to put a version number - in format <XYZ> - both in the TOC and on the submission page, all of which is quite plainly explained on the submission page itself!"

The obvious change being that the submission page should state as such (both beside the Version input box and in the rules at the bottom).

By way of an example:
TOC entry: ## X-WoWI-Version: 1.4.5 Beta
Submission page: 1.4.5 Beta
Validation rule: maj.min[.build[.sub]] [Alpha|Beta|Patch]
(where maj/min/build/sub are digits)

Both Minion and this site's submission page could parse and validate the version details in exactly the same way. Problem solved (for submissions to WoWI). The X-tags are there for a reason: why not use them?

If the website isn't given valid version information: don't let it be uploaded.
If the Minion can't pull valid version info. client-side: don't guess - simply state that the the addon isn't WoWI version-compliant and supply a link so that the user can check manually.
If in doubt: let the user decide. Ultimately, it's their computer system that's being affected, so if it's not a guaranteed positive action that's going to occur, it should always be their choice what happens next.

If AddOn authors aren't willing to deal with this exceptionally simple, extra step (that they should be doing, anyway) then they're lazy, stubborn or both and, either way, thick as mince because, ultimately, they're only shooting themselves in the foot by making the life of their users harder.

You already require that authors upload in one of two specific archive formats, that their file-size is less than 40Mb, their optionally uploaded images are in one of three specific formats and have them verify two "additional options" radio-options. It isn't exactly a giant leap to expect them to enter version details in a plainly-stated, specific format.

If you let people be lazy: they'll be lazy (or bizarrely over-creative because they think they're so hilariously funny). Us programmer types need smacked about the head, sometimes, so that we do things right. :P

Your submission page is where the buck stops (as far as uploads go)... the rules of engagement are yours to make. It is as simple as that.
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