Shoutbox

Most people are having trouble when the download updates for certain scripts.
If the file is still in the internet cache, no new version is downloaded...

Simple solution: Add the current time to the URL, like http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=72...1/08/2006-17:30:32
Or just the numbers like: http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=72...ime=31082006173032
This way the browser thinks it is a different file, and will download the latest version, it should be easy to implement, and will reduce a lot of miscomunication "It still doesn't work"

Would be a great help

Or developers can add a version number at the end of the name so that the file is easily distinguishable from other versions and can be seen to be the update.  I don't mind your suggestion though.

The version needs to be changed manually I presume?

Some people could forget it... But it could be a good alternative, maybe it could show the version number underneath the download link

quote:

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Originally posted by markee
Or developers can add a version number at the end of the name so that the file is easily distinguishable from other versions and can be seen to be the update.  I don't mind your suggestion though.

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he's talking about changing the attached file, which doesn't change the address.

Yes I did, I misread his post, and thought he ment http://www.blah.com/link?version=1.01

This is a pretty simple solution. There was a function (can't remember the language) called CacheBuster that used the same principle. I also used it when I made a flash site that displays WLMs details as my DP wasn't updating. Just add random numbers after filename (and ? as well)

I spoke to WDZ about this possible solution to the caching in the shoutbox, and he said he wouldn't be implementing this idea because he wants some things (such as images, which many people use as attachments) to be cached. Otherwise it's really a waste of bandwidth when people are constantly re-downloading images.

I guess it is possible to only implement this idea for files ending in specific filetypes... but don't bet the house on it because it is WDZ after all

I think the URL for the attchment should include the name of the file so as you can change the filename, in turn changing the URL and there is no worry about the cache (apart from if you are downloading a file which you have already downloaded previously).  An example would be like with my gradient script, instead of http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=695421 it would be http://shoutbox.menthix.net/attachment.php?pid=69...radient_v3.00.plsc or something simular.

Well, this shouldn't be a problem in MyBB 1.2 because posts can have multiple attachments, and each attachment has its own ID.

this would be great for the people that dont change there file name (timezone) because i hate having to empty  the cache every time i go to download it