* Crossover/PlayonMac/Linux winhttp download problem

[tatewise]

I was going to mention socket supports ftp, but to install that library it needs a download, which needs winhttp whoops! OR a manual download which might as well download all the library modules in one ZIP, and then we don't need ftp at all. We are in danger of just keep going round and round in circles.

[Valkrider]

Does Crossover/POL/POM have an ftp component installed by default?

I doubt that it is ftp as neither of those files is present in either POM or Crossover.

It seems that as I had POM on my laptop as well as Crossover Crossover was getting confused. Now removed but other issues have now popped up with the new bottle so am awaiting Codeweavers support response.

[tatewise]

I have had a rethink about a Plugin that could install all the library modules without using winhttp.
The trick is to convert all the files from binary to an encoded text format that can be embedded inside a Plugin.
Then the install Plugin can reverse the coding from text back to binary and save the files.
I have experimented with one of my icon jpg files and the zip.dll library module, which both work fine.

So it seems that a Plugin with all the library modules embedded encoded in text could install them in the Plugins folder.

There are two attached prototype Plugins:

Encode Binary File in ANSI converts my \Plugin Data\improve_pdf_icon.jpg and \Plugins\zip.dll to text files.
This only needs to be run once to encode any new library module.
[ EDIT Plugin Attachment deleted as script is included in Install Library Module in Plugin Store ]

Install Library Modules converts embedded text from those files back to the original jpg and dll files.
This is run once in any new WINE/Crossover/POL/POM environment or even in Windows to bulk install libraries.
[ EDIT Plugin Attachment deleted as in Plugin Store ]

[Valkrider]

Mike

Well done. That works fine and installs the zip.dll in Crossover.

[tatewise]

OK good, I just need to work on the other library modules and can probably encode their ZIP files and use zip.dll to unzip them into the Plugins folder.

[tatewise]

The Install Library Modules Plugin is finished and appears to work well.
It is very large (1.7MB) because it has all the encoded library modules embedded within.
Even compressed into a ZIP file it is 753KB and too large as a Forum Attachment.
So here is a OneDrive download link: https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArcYtrv6ufQpjaJx5eh ... g?e=sTizRr

It should install all the modules: zip, luasql, md5, pl & socket

After creating and unpacking the ZIP files it deletes them, so just the library modules remain.
Running the Plugin again will reinstall the modules over the existing ones.
Therefore, if any modules change it is simply a matter of running an updated version of the Plugin.

When everyone is happy it can be published in the Plugin Store.

[Valkrider]

@Mike that is incredible it works perfectly. It installed all the libraries really quickly far quicker than the winhttp download and install. It installed the Research Planner help file too without issue.

This is an excellent plugin for both Mac and Windows users. It overcomes the issues that we have been plagued with trying to resolve on Mac and Linux for some while. Great bit of lateral thinking after my comment of the other day. I can't thank you enough and I am sure that other users will to. This should become a must have plugin for all users and makes the installation of any plugin a breeze as it removes any dependencies.

[tatewise]

Don't know why I didn't think of that encoding trick before. Just had binary files in mind, and that they cannot be embedded in Lua script files.

The Research Planner Plugin needs its Help ZIP file downloaded from how_to:family_historian_v6_on_crossover_wine#plugin_data_downloads|> Plugin Data Downloads by hand beforehand, otherwise it will fail on lack of winhttp. Although as it is a known required file, Helen could encode it and embed it within the Plugin. I have done that for the icon JPG files needed by my Improve Website... Plugin ready for its next release.

Other Plugins such as Check Installed Plugins Against the Store won't work without winhttp, so winhttp should be pursued wherever possible.

[Valkrider]

Mike

I have given up with Codeweavers, unfortunately I only renewed my licence on 25th of last month. Their support is next to useless for anything but the simplest problem. If it wasn't for the coexistence issue of FH and AS I would get my money back and stick with POM.

[ColeValleyGirl]

I can encode and embed static files, Mike, but Research Planner also generates dynamic files (according to the config options) so winhttp will be needed for those...

[tatewise]

@Helen, at least the winhttp problem only affects Crossover now, so some Plugins such as yours will not run on that platform, unless you can use the socket library, but that needs an http (or maybe ftp) server and the www.fhug.org.uk domain does not currently offer either.

@Colin, I have slightly modified the Install Library Modules Plugin mainly to be smaller, but still not small enough to attach here, so please use the same OneDrive link as yesterday and check it out on both Crossover and POM please.

[Valkrider]

Mike

Yes the new version is fine on both.

[tatewise]

The Install Library Modules Plugin Version 1.0 Date 05 May 2020 is now in the Plugin Store.

When I get a moment I will update the KB to advise users to run that Plugin, especially on Crossover, and remove all those library module ZIP files and their related advice.

I will also insert a summary of the POL/POM Configure > install components > winhttp option needed for some Plugins, but advise using the Install Library Modules Plugin that is much faster.
@Colin/Joel ~ you may wish to revise that advice and add screenshots when convenient.

Now there are at least three separate threads in the KB for Crossover, PlayOnLinux/Mac and Wine, is there a better structure that puts all the instructions for one platform in one section?