[VER 3] SMBX Episode Manager - Windows XP Supported!

[Axiom]

At last it is here

SMBX Episode Manager Version 3.0.0.0!

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What is the SMBX Episode Manager?

The SMBX Episode Manager is a tool created in C# to aide in the process of installing and now, updating episodes. The tool is used to download, install, and manage your SMBX episodes. Formerly created in Visual Basic, the language was changed for a couple of important reasons.

• *Snappier code

• *More advanced code

• *Better organised code

All of this combined with the new UI, creates an awesome user experience.

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What's so special about this? I can download them manually just fine

That's fine if you can download them manually. But you'll also have to update them manually which can become a pain. This new version of the Episode Manager introduces a new file format called the ".index". This index file is placed in the episodes directory (or zip file) and contains information related to the episode including a version number. The manager will check for updates to the episode via a server hosted by the creator. If the Manager finds any updates, the manager will download and replace on a file by file basis.

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Sounds great! How can I get my episode to use this format?

The following post will contain a user guide on how you can set your episode up for the new format, and host the servers in case you want to update your episode (don't worry, it's not too difficult).

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Screenshots

Main UI

Gorgeous about box I've shown earlier

Settings, containing the updater for the Index Generator

When you install/select an episode

Where you can download episodes.

Overflow menu showcasing some episode options

New installer

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Downloads and Other Links

New Installer (Don't worry, it shouldn't crash ): http://mrmiketheripper.x10.mx/epmanager3/Installer.exe

Index Generator, for creating .index files: http://mrmiketheripper.x10.mx/epmanager ... erator.exe

GitHub: https://github.com/Luigifan/smbx-epmanager-ver3

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I found a bug!!!!111010101!

Please report them at the GitHub issues page. This way, we can keep track of what bugs have been fixed and what ones haven't been. Also, we'll be able to reference these issues in changelogs. Reporting a bug in this thread doesn't guarantee it will be fixed!

IMPORTANT WINDOWS XP SUPPORT NOTE
Windows XP works pretty much perfectly on XP SP3+. SP2 does NOT render fonts correctly and if you're getting errors about a font not having a supported style, you can try enabling clear type.

Spoiler: show

Right click on your desktop > properties. Then go to the appearance tab. Click effects, check off "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" and change it to "ClearType"
[rimg]http://gyazo.com/bd0854d04af780166462d81a978773e4.png[/rimg]
Makes your fonts look better too!

[Axiom]

The full, always updated Google Docs tutorial can be viewed here.

Alternatively, if you want an offline Microsoft Office version, it will be found here

[Axiom]

SMBX Episode Manager Changelogs
3.0.0.0
-Initial Release
3.1.0.0
-Fixed a bug where a 404ing server would cause the entire program to crash..phew!
-Added an overflow for the available episodes
-Added the ability to refresh the available episodes list (overflow)
-Added the ability to download just the index/icons/images for a certain local episode (overflow)
-Added a link to the Tumblr in the aboutbox
-Fixed a potential bug where the program would try to create invalid paths (EG: Valtteri Island: Revisited, the ":" character is an invalid character)
-Implemented an experimental cache system
3.1.1.0
-Fixed some minor bugs with the new cache system
-Updated the look of the settings menu
-Added the ability to download the IndexGenerator if it's missing
-Added a cache manager in settings
3.1.1.1
-Fixed a bug where the "Launch SMBX" button didn't do anything
-Fixed a bug where a corrupted zip would cause the whole program to lock up
-Added a "launch Index Generator" for those making episode indexes
-Checks to see if the current episode is in the process of being uploaded before downloading it
3.1.2.0
-Added an indicator on the Available Episodes page to see if the episode is installed or not
-Fixed a bug where trying to clear the cache would cause an exception due to an icon being open in a program
-Fixed a bug where trying to show the cache after it was cleared was cause an exception
-Fixed a bug where after clearing the cache, the old size was still shown
3.1.2.1 Hotfix
-Fixed a bug where certain episodes would deliver a "path not found" error on extraction
3.1.2.3
-Minor bug fixes and tweaks
3.1.2.4 Hotfix
-Fixed a bug where you couldn't install any episodes
3.1.2.5 Hotfix
-Fixed a bug where the overflow menu was behind the local episode panel (these bugs are getting stupid now)
3.2.0.0
-Lowered the required .NET version to 4.0, meaning this now works on Windows XP! Required alot of tweaking but hey I got it
-Changed the zipping to use Ionic's zip library
3.2.1.0
-Fixed some spacing issues with labels and such on Windows XP
-No longer shows "SMBX Found: " when it the version it finds is null.
-Changed the settings form to a purple theme
-Fixed refreshing

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Index Generator Changelogs
1.0.0.0
-Updated UI to match the modern Windows UI (white background, Segoe UI 9pt)
-Enabled resizing of the UI
-Fixed a bug where a blank directory caused an ArgumentException
-Moved main functions into a MenuBar
-Added shortcuts for Open Index, Save Index, and Exit (Ctrl + O, Ctrl + S, Alt + F4 respectively)
-Added about and changelog
-Added an "Uncheck All" Button
-Fixed the typo in the Assembly's "Title" Property

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Installer Changelog
1.0.1.0
-Added a startup check to make sure you're not on Windows XP
-Added the version in the corner next to "Design by Pixy"

[Quill]

I'm having a problem with installing this. I launch the installer but nothing happens at all.

[Raster]

I'm having a problem with installing this. I launch the installer but nothing happens at all.

Do you have. NET framework installed? That can be the root of the problem.

[Quill]

I'm having a problem with installing this. I launch the installer but nothing happens at all.

Do you have. NET framework installed? That can be the root of the problem.

Yes, framework 4.

[Raster]

I'm having a problem with installing this. I launch the installer but nothing happens at all.

Do you have. NET framework installed? That can be the root of the problem.

Yes, framework 4.

There is a chance this program was coded for .NET framework 3.5 or older versions. You can try installing it if you haven't already. If this doesn't work then there's probably a code inconsistency.

[Alice]

You might think about making the already installed worlds box just show the world name. Or make the window resizable. Also for some reason Airship Attack kept erroring out at the last moment for me when downloading it. I went and found where the program gets the worlds from and I'm trying to manually download it now.

And another suggestion if it's feasible: Maybe make it so you can just download a zip and put it wherever you want rather than having to actually install it? My Documents isn't even on the same drive as the one I'd want to be putting it on.

Edit: Airship Attack still fails to download properly. I think the copy you have on your site is corrupt or something.

[Axiom]

I'm having a problem with installing this. I launch the installer but nothing happens at all.

The program was compiled against .NET 4.0 on Windows 7. What OS are you running?

You might think about making the already installed worlds box just show the world name. Or make the window resizable. Also for some reason Airship Attack kept erroring out at the last moment for me when downloading it. I went and found where the program gets the worlds from and I'm trying to manually download it now.

And another suggestion if it's feasible: Maybe make it so you can just download a zip and put it wherever you want rather than having to actually install it? My Documents isn't even on the same drive as the one I'd want to be putting it on.

Edit: Airship Attack still fails to download properly. I think the copy you have on your site is corrupt or something.

I'm going to start working on that. Also, our servers seemed to have been having problems lately so I will get in contact with Pixels and see what he says.
And you can change where your SMBX is located in program settings.

[Valtteri]

Wait, do you upload the episodes on a different site instead giving the program the URL where the episode was originally uploaded? My episode was updated a thousand times after you said you added it to your program. Does that mean the manager has an outdated version of the game?

[Quill]

I'm using XP.

[Mudkip]

This idea. Genius.

I love this idea, but unfortunately I can't run NET Framework 4.0 on my computer. *Waiting for a new one*

[Raster]

I'm using XP.

Do you have the latest service pack installed? If yes the program might strangely be incompatible with XP. You can get Windows 8 for free on Microsoft's website (and acquire a key later, of course, though activation is mandatory).

[Alice]

And you can change where your SMBX is located in program settings.

I could but I'd rather have the episode manager and the game in the same place. And since there isn't any way to change where it installs (unless I missed something in the installer) it ends up there.

[Axiom]

And you can change where your SMBX is located in program settings.

I could but I'd rather have the episode manager and the game in the same place. And since there isn't any way to change where it installs (unless I missed something in the installer) it ends up there.

Don't tell everyone else this but it's safe to copy/paste it elsewhere and run it as long as you have the .dll files with it

I'm using XP.

Do you have the latest service pack installed? If yes the program might strangely be incompatible with XP. You can get Windows 8 for free on Microsoft's website (and acquire a key later, of course, though activation is mandatory).

XP might be the reason why Quill :/
As Micro$oft is stopping support for Windows XP soon, it's kinda hard for me to support it too

Wait, do you upload the episodes on a different site instead giving the program the URL where the episode was originally uploaded? My episode was updated a thousand times after you said you added it to your program. Does that mean the manager has an outdated version of the game?

Yes. Send me the latest version please and I will switch everything out

This idea. Genius.

I love this idea, but unfortunately I can't run NET Framework 4.0 on my computer. *Waiting for a new one*

Dare I ask what the specs are...

[Valtteri]

Valtteri Island I http://www.mediafire.com/download/42tesisbpxgh7k7/
Valtteri Island II http://www.mediafire.com/download/4kkuk4eg3mbbz9g/
Valtteri Island III https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/994 ... ltteri.zip

[Axiom]

Just pushed out an update guys

-Changes the way the InstalledWorlds listbox is shown (suggested by Alice on http://smbxgame.com/forums)
-Added an option to download the index from my backup servers
-this is still a work in progress
-Deletes unecessary files on startup (phew)
-Soon I will update the installer to support choosing your own directories (as for now, you're safe to copy the program to any directory you want BUT the auto generated shortcut won't work anymore)

Valtteri Island I http://www.mediafire.com/download/42tesisbpxgh7k7/
Valtteri Island II http://www.mediafire.com/download/4kkuk4eg3mbbz9g/
Valtteri Island III https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/994 ... ltteri.zip

And I will add these in right now! Thank you

[Alice]

Don't tell everyone else this but it's safe to copy/paste it elsewhere and run it as long as you have the .dll files with it

Oh alright. I didn't even bother trying that because the last time I tried that with a program (I don't even know how long ago that was even to be honest) it simply crashed immediately constantly.

[Axiom]

Don't tell everyone else this but it's safe to copy/paste it elsewhere and run it as long as you have the .dll files with it

Oh alright. I didn't even bother trying that because the last time I tried that with a program (I don't even know how long ago that was even to be honest) it simply crashed immediately constantly.

This one doesn't work like that, this one doesn't register anything in the registries like other programs

[Alice]

Oh, alright. Since it had an installer I assumed it did mess with the registry.