Frequently Asked Questions (With Answers!)
PADs and PAD formats
Q: I removed an extension and now the data has gone in my PAD file.
A: 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.
Q: How can I get my PAD extension supported by Padded?
A: 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.
Features
Q: Does Padded support PAD Signing?
A: 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).
Q: Does Padded support importing from and exporting to PADGen's Company Info (CML) and Program Info (PML) files?
A: You bet. This was first added in Padded 2.14.
Q: Can I use my CML and PML files in a template system?
A: 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.
Other
Q: Are software updates free of charge?
A: 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.
Q: Does Padded send any information to home base?
A: In general, no. However, the Check for Updates function does send some basic information about your platform — OS version and CPU type and model; plus Service Pack level on Windows and a 'best guess' at your distro name on Linux.
This information is used on the odd occasion that updates information varies depending on platform.
Misc - Mac OS X
Q: Is this software coming soon to the Mac App Store?
A: At this stage, my apps are unlikely to be submitted:
- RReplace: As this app may be used to perform search and replace requests on directories outside the mandated sandbox, it's likely RReplace would not be accepted if submitted.
- Padded: As this app promotes the use of PAD files, which are used to produce profiles on competitors to the Apple App Store, it's unlikely Padded would be accepted if submitted either.
- 2Dirs1Cup, HoursCalc & RanPassUI: Without a commercial app to justify spendng the money on Apple developer account fees, these will not be submitted to the App Store.
Q: What is the future of releases for PowerPC?
A: From what I see in web logs, PowerPC Mac usage is extremely low now.
New versions will be Universal (Intel32/64) by default, but, I may build occasional releases for Universal (PowerPC/Intel32) from time to time. I'll be keeping the most recent PowerPC downloads around on the download page.
Q: Why isn't 'Check For Updates' showing the latest release?
A: For the software that includes this feature (Padded and RReplace), 'Check For Updates' also includes a check for your CPU architecture to determiine the latest version available for you. A PowwerPC Mac won't be prompted to update to a version only available for Intel32/64.
At this stage, 2Dirs1Cup, HoursCalc & RanPassUI don't have a 'Check For Updates' feature, so the above doesn't apply.
Misc - Windows
Q: Why do I get an error when run from a directory with characters that aren't ANSI?
Q: Unfortunately, it's related to a bug in the programming language. The workaround: Locate the binary in a directory with only ANSI characters (and not those in Kanji, Chinese script, Russian or other non-ANSI character sets).
Q: Is this software coming to the Windows 8 app store?
A: Very unlikely at this stage.
Misc - Linux/X11
Q. How do I resolve a 'application-specific initialization failed: file open failed' error?
A: The binary doesn't have sufficient permissions to run. Try changing the file permissions with chmod to 755.
Q. When I start the app from the terminal, it quit without giving me an error message. What do I do?
A: Your Linux is most likely 64-bit. Install the ia32-libs package and start the app again.
Q: How do I install this DEB package onto my AMD64 architecture Debian system?
A: Install the ia32-libs package. Then run: dpkg -i --force-architecture thepackage.deb
Q: How do I install this RPM package onto my AMD64 architecture Fedora system?
A: Fedora doesn't have a single ia32-libs package like Debian and Ubuntu. However, this page at Metztli Information Technology Blog Bits provides a text file, and a one-liner to process that text file, to install the 32-bit compatibility libs collection.
After you've followed those instructions, run: rpm -ivh thepackage.rpm
Q: The DEB/RPM package seems to indicate only a dependency on x11-common, but, not a particular version or other dependencies. What are they?
A: Software I release uses a tech similar to "static linking" which essentially means that it bundles most of the libraries it depends on inside itself. This ensures that not only are library requirements met but the library environment on your computer is the same as what I tested on. (It's always amazed me that more software developers don't do this — it would save oodles in support costs and save their customers oodles of frustration.)