u-he update of almost everything August 2021

[martinjuenke]

I would love to see an installation manager. It makes everything so much more easy and comfortable.

[Urs]

Whatever we do will certainly be optional.

[vurt]

i need an actual manager, can you program one of them?
im so unorganized!!!

[Erisian]

i need an actual manager, can you program one of them?
im so unorganized!!!

I'll be your manager. Now let's talk about fees.

[vurt]

i need an actual manager, can you program one of them?
im so unorganized!!!

I'll be your manager. Now let's talk about fees.

50/50.

what's fifty percent of "bugger all"?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

If the Installation Manager can:

1. Check for updates to installed products
2. Allow me to set paths for install (resources, VST plugin folder, etc.)
3. Allow me to designate install formats (VST2 and VST3 yes, no 32-bit please, no AAX here, NKS where available)
4. Actually install all updates in one go respecting #2 and #3
5. Doesn't download any products I don't own (not saying U-he would ever do this, but the UAD/IK approach is annoying)

...then I'd be all-in. When you're updating like 15 products at once, having an installation manager than can handle the above would get rid of the tedium and save me lots of time. That's fewer hoops to jump through as I can setup the installation and walk away and go make dinner or something else.

If the installation manager just downloads the installer for each and I still have to run them (this is the IK approach), then it's not much of a value add.

[BBFG#]

Whatever we do will certainly be optional.

It's easy to see that other companies that do this have a separate team for this. And that in itself causes problems.

I would rather see a u-He host like RP Prisma/BC Patchwork/Korg Legacy Cell.

Your installers are already doing the things of personal choice for us anyway. No reason to change what works well.
Keep managers to simple notifications and real download links via our own download managers. Anything else will be more distraction than development.

[Urs]

Well the thing is, we already have a software that we use internally to retrieve installers from servers, unpack them and run automated tests in our internal not-so-funky host software. It just doesn't have any UI, but it could probably be repurposed at some point.

We also want to move licenses into a single database file, so registration would be 1 x copy paste from the email and be done with it.

But all of that needs to go hand in hand.

[Tendou]

are there any improvements for windows users?

[crickey13]

Simplicity is one of u-He's greatest features. Please don't f it up by employing the homogeny of customer ignorance. This is a distraction. Keep your focus where it's been proven you're the one for other companies to follow.

This. I'm kind of surprised how unpretentious and down-to-earth u-he is compared to some other big names in the game. Never change, Urs.

[BBFG#]

Well the thing is, we already have a software that we use internally to retrieve installers from servers, unpack them and run automated tests in our internal not-so-funky host software. It just doesn't have any UI, but it could probably be repurposed at some point.

We also want to move licenses into a single database file, so registration would be 1 x copy paste from the email and be done with it.

But all of that needs to go hand in hand.

And that makes sense, since it's linked specifically to your system. However not all your customers have that system. Look at NI Access, which is a joy for some and a complete nightmare for others. I'm sure it works wonderful for them, but ultimately, it's narrow-mindedly short-sighted of individual systems, servers and ISPs across the globe.
The process and time it takes to update them has been the single reason I don't want to even install most of their products anymore. I still own it, but don't know for how much longer. Ever realizing the loss I'll take of having third party NFR libraries. I've also had to change ISP twice to get it to even connect.
The idea of a one stop solution is nice, but problematic when put into the real world. Instead of an access manager, please think more of a simple access point. One that simply scans our current system and compares to your uploaded versions. It's nice that we don't even have to log in to reach this page since it's the same as the demo and that authorization is already done in our particular system.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

And that makes sense, since it's linked specifically to your system. However not all your customers have that system. Look at NI Access, which is a joy for some and a complete nightmare for others. I'm sure it works wonderful for them, but ultimately, it's narrow-mindedly short-sighted of individual systems, servers and ISPs across the globe.
The process and time it takes to update them has been the single reason I don't want to even install most of their products anymore. I still own it, but don't know for how much longer. Ever realizing the loss I'll take of having third party NFR libraries. I've also had to change ISP twice to get it to even connect.
The idea of a one stop solution is nice, but problematic when put into the real world. Instead of an access manager, please think more of a simple access point. One that simply scans our current system and compares to your uploaded versions. It's nice that we don't even have to log in to reach this page since it's the same as the demo and that authorization is already done in our particular system.

Urs already said an installation manager would be optional. You don't want one and wouldn't have to use it. I'd very much like one and would use it. And if it were buggy, I'd have the option of continuing to download updates the same way I do today, and you'd just ignore it.

It's just tedious and time consuming when I'm updating 14 products at once because of a big update (like last time), and I don't even own everything.

I feel like you're assuming the worst here. U-he aren't out to "get you" or anything. I trust them to not lock us into a proprietary installation manager that won't work or cause headaches with no other option to download or activate our products. You clearly have had some bad experiences with NI and maybe others but U-he are not some giant monolithic company trying to appease the venture capitalists that funded the company with a longterm goal of a subscription plan.

[Urs]

are there any improvements for windows users?

Yes, loads. Performance, user experience, presets, everything.

[Aloysius]

... and I got a Christmas hamper in the post. A bit early but thanks U-HE and team. Seasons greetings!!!

[BBFG#]

And that makes sense, since it's linked specifically to your system. However not all your customers have that system. Look at NI Access, which is a joy for some and a complete nightmare for others. I'm sure it works wonderful for them, but ultimately, it's narrow-mindedly short-sighted of individual systems, servers and ISPs across the globe.
The process and time it takes to update them has been the single reason I don't want to even install most of their products anymore. I still own it, but don't know for how much longer. Ever realizing the loss I'll take of having third party NFR libraries. I've also had to change ISP twice to get it to even connect.
The idea of a one stop solution is nice, but problematic when put into the real world. Instead of an access manager, please think more of a simple access point. One that simply scans our current system and compares to your uploaded versions. It's nice that we don't even have to log in to reach this page since it's the same as the demo and that authorization is already done in our particular system.

Urs already said an installation manager would be optional. You don't want one and wouldn't have to use it. I'd very much like one and would use it. And if it were buggy, I'd have the option of continuing to download updates the same way I do today, and you'd just ignore it.

It's just tedious and time consuming when I'm updating 14 products at once because of a big update (like last time), and I don't even own everything.

I feel like you're assuming the worst here. U-he aren't out to "get you" or anything. I trust them to not lock us into a proprietary installation manager that won't work or cause headaches with no other option to download or activate our products. You clearly have had some bad experiences with NI and maybe others but U-he are not some giant monolithic company trying to appease the venture capitalists that funded the company with a longterm goal of a subscription plan.

I'm not opposed to something that helps. But making it means responding to even more customer demands to make it work more for them at the expense of others. And as I said, there's so many systems, servers and ISPs. It can never be totally effective for all.
Maybe start with a simple website upgrade where the current version download page is sectioned into OS categories with a "download all" connected to each section. This keeps it relative to what already works for each of us. (Our system, ISP & their Servers). For me with only 11 of their products, the downloads are relatively small and quick. And even the updating itself once downloaded is quick as well. If you're wanting that all done automatically in the back ground, just remember that historically has caused havoc in some systems, especially after an OS update.
All I'm trying to point out is that making such a thing should work for any of us opting in without distracting the u-He team from their real plugin focus.

And maybe yes, always assume the worst (case scenario) when dealing with a world wide web.