[jonlink]

i didn't find an answer to this anywhere, but maybe i'm missing it. it's a two part question:

what are the concerns when removing links for "security reasons" and) if they are valid concerns why doesn't any other download site share that concern (for example apple or macupdate)?

however you want to run your site is fine, but it just doesn't make sense. it especially doesn't make sense that you'd insist on having people upload their widgets when you could be saving bandwidth. it is also annoying because it slows rapid developement, but that's another thing altogether.


thanks

[pm]

It is our goal to provide the safest, most reliable download environment for widgets on the internet. We established the approval process in the Showcase so that we could check each widget for malicious intent in addition to functionality.

The biggest problem for the forums is that a linked file could really be anything. They might think they're getting a useful widget when in fact it's a malicious application. This is a problem for any site, really, though with our Showcase, we maintain control over uploaded files so they can't be substituted and we make sure they're safe.

Many other download sites do check submissions, though we want to go above and beyond the expectations for such a site by offering complete security and trust. We're not going to hide behind a "We are not responsible..."-type disclaimer.

[jonlink]

i can hardly imagine that you folks check every line of code, which is the only way to be sure something isn't malicious. Someone could hide a line of code in a long js file that only fires after the twelth use or something. my point is there is only so much you can do and to realize that any sense of security is only wishful thinking.

that said, i understand and respect your choice. it's just i see things differently.


thanks for the reply,
jon

ps- if you don't maybe you should have that disclaimer... better safe than sorry.

[cerberus]

IMO, there needs to be a separate showcase here for development widgets. I learned with my first widget that it is hard to erase the first impression of users once you submit a widget that is under-developed... no matter what the version number says.

Yesterday I forgot about the rule... I was seeking beta testers, not users yet. I think that is a standard and proper way to develop any software.

I notice the enforcement is consistent but the method of enforcement is not. Sometimes a link is replaced but the post remains mostly intact... Sometimes an entire post containing a link is deleted without a trace.

So if there were a place here for alpha and beta widgets that is separate from the main showcase, I would feel a lot more comfortable about submitting a work in progress.

cerberus

[jonlink]

that actually makes a lot of sense. if this is supposed to be a site designed not just to showcase widgets, but to design them there ought to be a setup specifically for the design. and it ought to have a much quicker turn around then the showcase, which is *not* seriously slow, but is way too slow for developement purposes.

[pm]

You know, you've got a point.

What if we created a forum where you could link to a widget (or perhaps even attach it to a post) with the purpose of finding beta testers and getting feedback?

Oh and cerberus, I didn't personally remove that comment but I believe the rationale behind its removal was that the post was completely off-topic and we were trying to guide the thread back on-topic. So the link wasn't the reason the post was removed, it was just a coincidence.

[cerberus]

Hi PM99, I hope you carry through on this idea. And I will try to keep my posts more on topic.

cerberus

[pm]

If a few more people want it and post in support, we may do just that.

[jonlink]

*please* chime in on this people!

[maxintosh]

**chime**

I'd love that feature.

[Da_Vinci]

@ Cerberus - You have my vote!

@ Admins - Please do it!

[Ludge]

This is a great idea as long as it is obviously labelled as a pre-release area so as not to confuse people.
_________________
BatteryInfo widget
AdiumList widget.

[KaiiaK]

so no help so far.

I support a way to have unfinished widgets not in te showcase

[jonlink]

i'll say this. as the site is set up it's more showcase specific, meaning that the emphasis is not on the developer community. my fear is that it leads people to think of this as more of a place to post widgets and less of a place to get help & feedback etc (which is has been to me).

[pm]