It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)[UPDATED] Official GOG.com Downloader topic(372 posts) (372 posts) 
(372 posts) 
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
10
15
20
25
This is my favourite topic
Posted July 21, 2009
Hello everyone,
I would like to update you on the latest changes to GOG Downloader (the optional app that can be used to download your GOG.com purchases).
We have just released an updated version (0.9.30) which includes three important things:
1. a faster app core (thx to updated Adobe AIR Runtime, and jQuery 1.3.3)
2. updated file resuming, witch will now allow:
- more reliable auto-resuming, witch should fix _some_ of the problems
- auto discovery of incomplete/complete files
3. an option to send bug report to gog.com
If you have the downloader already installed, you will be notified about the update next time you launch the app; if you don't have the app yet, check out the list of downloads in My Account page for any of your purchases)
2. UPDATED APP CORE
While updating our source code, we also updated all libraries involved which should make the whole app a bit faster and less resource hungry.
3. UPDATED FILE RESUMING
This was, and still is, the most important thing about the downloader. We have received numerous reports from our users, that there are issues with this, especially on slower, less reliable, connections.
The real problem with fixing this is actually recreating this situation, to have a peek at what's really causing this. We tried a lot of different setups, we've used faulty network hardware, we used cellphones as modems to access Internet, we tried disconnecting cables on different levels of the connection, we used software to slow the connection down, we tried downloading files to very slow hard drives, but so far we couldn't recreate problems that some of you were experiencing.
So, as the first step, we changed the way that files are handled, discovered, and resumed. It should help with at least some of the problems.
The second thing, was to enable the downloader app to discover files from previous sessions. This means that if you have an incomplete file backed up before the downloader encountered an error, you can copy that incomplete file into download folder, then add the game to the downloader again, and the app will continue from the incomplete file instead of starting at zero. This is hardly a resolution for the problem, but it will at least allow for some temporary workaround, until we get all the issues sorted out.
So if you have problems using the downloader, you can try to:
1. Start the download normally
2. From time to time, make a copy of the temporary files in the GOG Downloader downloads folder to a safe backup location
3. If the downloader encounters an error click "Send report" (more info below), and shut it down
4. Copy your backed up files back into GOG Downloader downloads folder
5. Relaunch the app, and resume the transfer (or add the game again using the website), the transfer should resume at the point of last backup
Please remember, that this is only a temporary workaround as we work on fixing all the real issues.
3. BUG REPORTS
As mentioned before, we are adding an option to submit bug reports straight from the downloader. Every time you encounter an error while using GOG Downloader, you will have an option to "Send report" to us - please click on it, as it is essential for understanding and solving the problems :).
The report includes:
* GOG Downloader application logs (detailed information about file transfers and errors)
* your gog.com user name
Report does NOT include:
* any personal or hardware info (no hardware logs, no apps list, etc)
We will keep these logs as short as possible and we'll be using them only to find & fix bugs in GOG Downloader. After that we will delete them. We won't spam you, won't spy on your system and won't create any stats regarding downloader and it's usage.
Post edited July 21, 2009 by Venom
Posted September 19, 2008
I don't want a downloader, I don't need a downloader, and I'd rather shed my skin than install more software from Adobe, but I'll admit I'm impressed. It's very nice of you guys to give us an option, and a multi-platform one at that. Give us a Java client next and I might bite. ;)
Posted September 19, 2008
That's a very good news.
But to be honest I don't like the fact that I'll have to install Adobe AIR.
And I'd like to ask for a "bandwidth control" function. For example, limit to "40kb/s" the download speed, that would be great.
Posted September 19, 2008
I think the best thing here that we can all agree on is that we're not being forced to use this downloader, and we can continue to download games the traditional way too if we want.
That's neat, and shows a respect for users. Thanks Gog!
Posted September 19, 2008
Aw, did you have to make it an AIR app? I mean, beggars can't be choosers, but I really don't want to have to install yet another runtime, especially one that I'm not likely to use for much else anytime soon. But regardless, thanks for delivering a proper downloader with pause/resume; I really do appreciate it.
Posted September 19, 2008
Ahhh, this is good stuff! I'll get around to getting those Gig+ files soon then!
As for AIR... Well, I could always remove it afterwards I guess. But I already have it on this machine, it has not had much of an effect on stability & resources. Less than Java really!
Posted September 19, 2008
avatar
Destro: As some really big games are just around the corner, in the next few weeks we'll be releasing a nice handy little tool: the GOG.com Downloader (beta ;). Just before the weekend we wanted to give you a small sneak-peek, so you'll know what to expect:
...
So stay tuned and expect a release soon. In the meantime, post your thoughts and ideas.
--
Piotr K.
Design & Dev Team

Ty Ty Ty Ty vm!!!!
Tell me, if I pay for a new game, they will be displayed in the manager or I will need to access from the website?
Can I launch the installed game directly from the DM?
Thanks a lot!
Post edited September 19, 2008 by doomer
Posted September 20, 2008
Paypal support, downloader app, Wow you guys are the best! :D
If you saw you guys in person I would buy you all a beer and give you a hug!
Posted September 20, 2008
That will be really handy for the big games thanks a million.
Posted September 20, 2008
avatar
CTLance: I don't want a downloader, I don't need a downloader, and I'd rather shed my skin than install more software from Adobe, but I'll admit I'm impressed. It's very nice of you guys to give us an option, and a multi-platform one at that. Give us a Java client next and I might bite. ;)

God no! Did you see the memory footprint of even the most humble Java app? And all the damn different plugins and specs? No thank you!
Stick with AIR, and try it. It's low memory, multi-purpose (my twitter client runs on AIR, also a couple of other apps) and easy to write code for.
Posted September 20, 2008
high rated
avatar
Weclock: this'll be fairly annoying to you guys, but
i like steam, i like how i can show all my friends i'm playing a game, or if they're playing a multiplayer game, I can just join in on the fun.
this may not be a need that GoG.com needs to fill, but it would be very nice if you could see what people are playing a game (perhaps not who but at least that people are playing) and have the ability to join the game.

For god's sake, don't bring the "omgweb2.0social" thing in my oldies. It's my last resort. ;_;
Posted September 20, 2008
+1 to greedz. The social aspect is fairly well covered by the forums (even better when/if PM comes in); I don't need to see a list full of people when I'm playing Fallout for example.
Take into account that most of the games present here (at this time) don't have a big multiplayer mode built in, most rely on either direct IP connection (which can be done nowadays only via third party software) or serial/direct PC-PC.
Also, you can add the games to Steam and use the overlay and add people on the GOG steam group to your friends list. This makes it easier for all of us (the devs who won't work on it, the users who don't need/like it, the users who like it).
Posted September 20, 2008
and another +1 to greedz.
I fail to see what kind of use i might have for a friends list when i'm playing Fallout, and if i want multiplayer, modern games usually are better in that respect (except , strangely, for coop but you don't need a friends' list for that anyway).
Still, as long as it's made optional, i have no problem with it. And since the people at GOG seem to be great about giving customers choice, i'm guessing it would be an option.
The downloader is very good news, and the fact it's an option is even better. Thank you, GOG.
Btw, like AndrewC, i would like to know whether we'll be able to look at the source.
Post edited September 20, 2008 by mystral
Posted September 20, 2008
avatar
greedz: For god's sake, don't bring the "omgweb2.0social" thing in my oldies. It's my last resort. ;_;

eh, a multiplayer solution would be nice, and again, like the downloader, completely optional.
avatar
AndrewC: +1 to greedz. The social aspect is fairly well covered by the forums (even better when/if PM comes in); I don't need to see a list full of people when I'm playing Fallout for example.
Also, you can add the games to Steam and use the overlay and add people on the GOG steam group to your friends list. This makes it easier for all of us (the devs who won't work on it, the users who don't need/like it, the users who like it).

I described it as just a barebones server list in there, there's nothing wrong with just a server list. Many CS:S clans and etc setup server lists through websites, and all it shows is # of players (not who) current map, and duration.
You're right about steam, that is something that I completely didn't think of. Of course it won't show if servers are running but it will show if GoG players are playing their GoG multiplayer games, which could serve as a solution for me. However, in the instance of our friends in the other thread, even though it's not necessarily GoG.com's care if you can't download the games you bought on your 56k connection, they will probably find out a way to give you a leg up anyway. So really, I think in the end there will be some kind of multiplayer solution.
avatar
AndrewC: ..my twitter client runs on AIR...

lol, twitter :)
but anyway, like I said, I knew I might have come under fire for asking for it. but really, I know not every body wants a full on app, but that's why the downloader is optional
Post edited September 20, 2008 by Weclock
Posted September 20, 2008
awesome :)
Posted September 20, 2008
avatar
doomer: Tell me, if I pay for a new game, they will be displayed in the manager or I will need to access from the website?
Can I launch the installed game directly from the DM?

You have to manually add purchased games to GOG.com Downloader from your "My Account" page.
As Destro said:
avatar
Destro: * It's NOT an installer, it's NOT a launcher and it's definitely NOT a background service or some other annoying malware :). Our app serves only as an alternative download method for bigger games or people having problems with their transfers.

So... no go for launching installed games via GOG.com Downloader. ;)
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
10
15
20
25
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)[UPDATED] Official GOG.com Downloader topic(372 posts) (372 posts) 
(372 posts)