Frequently Asked Questions (With Answers!)
General
Padded is a multi-platform, user-friendly PAD (Portable Application Description) file editor, built to comply with the PAD specification.
PAD files are an industry standard XML format used for describing software in a simple, automated format. They are typically generated by software authors and uploaded to software archives, who then parse the file for information about the software to add to their websites. The specification is an initiative of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).
Are software updates free of charge?
Yes, within the same major version. If you have Version 2.xx, you can update freely to any other Version 2.xx. Version 3.xx, when it comes, will require a new license. People who've registered shortly before a major version upgrade will generally get a free license update, though this is entirely discretionary.
Can I send suggestions or feature requests?
Certainly. We listen to them too.
PADs and PAD formats
I removed an extension and now the data has gone in my PAD file.
If the exension is removed, then any data for that extension won't be saved. It helps to reduce the size of your PAD file.
Similarly, unlike many PAD editors, Padded won't let you save obvious conflicting data. The most obvious example of this is in the Software Expiry section where the raw specs allow you to state that your software expires never, after X days/uses and after a date. How a software download site would represent this is a mystery. Padded lets you choose either or you can write your more complex expiry method in a text box.
How can I get my PAD extension supported by Padded?
Use our Contact Form and provide a link to an XML specs sheet for it. We prefer this in a similar format to the PAD specification rather than the hopeless HTML format for extensions that PADGen/Padspec.org requests.
Please ensure that output XML follows the following conventions:
<YourExtension> <YourExtension_FORM>Y</YourExtension_FORM> <YourExtension_VERSION>1.0</YourExtension_VERSION> <YourExtension_URL>http://the.url.to.your.pad.extension.documentation/</YourExtension_URL> <YourExtension_DESCRIPTION>Allows you to add your YourExtension info into your PAD.</YourExtension_DESCRIPTION> <YourExtension_SomeData>Blah</YourExtension_SomeData> <YourExtension_SomethingElse>Bleh</YourExtension_SomethingElse> <YourExtension_AnotherThing>Blah</YourExtension_AnotherThing> </YourExtension> |
The name of your extension (in this example, YourExtension) should prefix all field names and be within a field of that name.
A bit of information on what the fields represent and what size/format/option limitations exist for each field is important. Again, please look to the PAD specification itself for examples.
Remember, once your extension is in the wild, it's too late to unscramble the egg. Make sure your XML format makes sense before people start using it.
Security
Does Padded's FTP support Active Mode?
Padded supports both Active and Passive Mode FTP. However, we recommend users use Passive Mode where possible, as Active Mode is considered vulnerable to interception and can play badly with many network firewalls.
TTI files are where your FTP and HTTP/S auth details are stored securely. They are not editable using a text editor. TTI files are locked to your PC using internal identifiers unique to your computer. Moving a TTI file from one computer to another will reset your username and password fields when Padded loads them.
Features
Does Padded support PAD Signing?
Padded now supports the use of third party signing tools. This is set in the Preferences dialog. For further info, there's an detailed guide (with examples) in the Help documentation (click Help → Padded Help from the application menu).
Does Padded support importing from and exporting to PADGen's Company Info (CML) and Program Info (PML) files?
You bet. This was first added in Padded 2.14.
Can I use my CML and PML files in a template system?
Absolutely. You can use any combination of these, plus components from your ordinary PAD files, in your templates through the Templates Manager ('Edit ⇒ Templates' in the main menu).
When you have a template named, for example, 'Main', and you've selected that template to be active, the files you've listed in it will be automatically imported when you start a new file. It's an incredible time-saver.
Misc trouble-shooting
How do I resolve a 'application-specific initialization failed: file open failed' error?
Your copy of Padded on Linux doesn't have sufficient permissions to run. Try changing the file permissions of the binary to 755 using chmod.
Why do I get an error when it's run from a directory with characters that aren't ANSI?
Unfortunately, it's a bug in Tcl/Tk. The workaround: Always use Padded from a directory with ANSI characters (eg: C:\Users\foo\Desktop or /home/foo/) and not those in Kanji, Chinese script, Russian and other languages with non-ANSI character sets.
Other
Will Padded be ported to Apple's iPad?
No. Apple's App Store is an important part of the iPod/iPad platform, however, it's policies and workings are largely undocumented, opaque and apparently ad-hoc. As such, it makes the platform an unstable and untrustworthy one to develop for. Releasing commercial software is risky enough as it is, without the added potential that the software you've put so much effort into might be banned from sale on a whim and with little explanation.