[APBeta] Expiration dates

[Paul Rodman]

On Jun 16, 2009, at 5:56 AM, Michael Conte wrote:

> You and Robin make some valid points. I'm usually diligent in making  
> sure I have the latest and greatest but there have been times when  
> this has snuck up on me, usually when I haven't fired up AP on the  
> laptop for a week or two. As a beta tester, I at least know not to  
> report a problem unless I am running the latest version. I've spent  
> too many years working and programming computers not to understand  
> that requirement but can understand why that would be a concern for  
> others.
>
> I intend to put 1.6 back on the machine for the very reasons  
> mentioned, however, "real" work in the field is the best test of the  
> application as far as I'm concerned, testing in combat stresses  
> everything including the operator! And, I find ver. 2 superior to  
> 1.6 (and I thought 1.6 was great so my hat off to Paul and all his  
> hard work) so that's my preferred version now. I maintain  
> complimentary versions of software applications on my laptop just in  
> case one crashes and burns for whatever reason so as long as the  
> laptop is running, I can switch to something else if necessary.
>
> Maybe rather then bypassing the expiration date, a set number of  
> "grace" launches could be set up so that after two or three or five  
> (whatever value Paul feels is reasonable) then the app does die. Of  
> course, having the ability to use AP to download the latest version  
> is also an asset in case you don't have the appropriate book mark  
> set up in your browser.
>
> However, I'm easy to get along with in most cases so whatever the  
> majority feels (and Paul decides) is appropriate is fine with me.

Well, how about a compromise:

The Expiration dialog has two buttons: Quit and Continue. The Quit  
button is enabled and is the default. The Continue button is disabled  
and only enabled after a countdown of 30 seconds. That should be  
irritating enough to promote a desire to download, and yet enables a  
lifeline for those times when you need one.

Paul R.