On Sun, 26 May 2002 19:31:15 -0700, Alan Kong <ako### [at] povrayWWWSPAMCOMorg>
wrote:
>  Here is what we hope to add to POV-Ray. What do you think?

Where should I answer ? Here ?

> "The feature does the following:
>  1) Periodically checks for a new version of POV-Ray for Windows, and

yes

>  2) Periodically checks for important news items (not regular news).

yes

> In addition to the above, the program will include *non-identifying*
> data about the system

yes in general but with note below

> The version and news check would only happen if the user was using
> POV-Ray during an active internet session (i.e. it won't cause the RAS
> dialer to start).

I don't know how "internet session" is handle on on-line servers but if it is
one long session then I think it is bad solution. Usually I work with POV on
2-3 machines in my company. I periodically restart my own machine (P2 233 MHz)
and it could recognize some news distributed this way. Other machines (P3, P4
multiprocessors) I use for complicated renders even one month long. I expect
POV-Ray to be more adjusted (with compilation settings) for those servers. But
if data about the system will be sended once per year it will have low
priority in your database.

> If a new version or important news item is found to exist, it will pop
> up a message box asking if they want their web browser to be launched to
> the page in question.

So another barrier to make POV as service :-(

> The info that is optionally submitted is stuff that we want to help the
> future development of POV-Ray. This includes brand of CPU, CPU speed,
> amount of RAM, OS Type, screen resolution and bit depth, number of
> monitors, and default language."

And in general this is a great idea IMO

ABX

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