Install Button Usefulness

[calorie]

Example using one particular mod...

Installs = number of install clicks within about a 24-hour period

Downloads = number of mod downloads within about a 24-hour period

Installs Downloads
Day1 3 13
Day2 2 16
Day3 3 19
Day4 1 11
Day5 4 15
Day6 2 10
Day7 4 16
Day8 2 5
Day9 2 6
Day10 4 18
Day11 6 16
Day12 4 11

And then boredom hit with tracking, so the unscientific conclusion:

Installs Downloads
Total 37 156 => 37 / 156 = 0.24 so,

of those that download about 24 percent actually click the install.

Caveat: multiple downloads per person not included in calculations

[Borgs8472]

The amount of downloads will depend on how much of the code and install instructions is in the first post, verses in the attachment also.

[peterska2]

I might download the same mod a dozen times or more over a six month period as I like to keep a zip of it in with the mod logs for each site I mod. Then there are the ones that I download then change my mind about, the ones I install then uninstall coz I don't like them, and the ones that just don't work for some reason that I can't be bothered to figure out so they get uninstalled again too. Also, I never hit the install button till I have it working.

Mind you it would be more accurate if you could hit the install button multiple times.

I've used the same mod 8 times in the last 3 months on different sites but can only hit install once so that isn't accurate either.

[Corriewf]

Also have to take into account how many updates are made to the attachment. A lot of hacks have updates early on to repair a small bug. Sometimes I will do as Peterska and download to review the stability of the code or look for security holes. Not that this applies to you but just saying.

[nexialys]

calculating this and that detail, like calorie said, the install button is completely useless...

so i hope this is not taken in count when making the stats for HotM...

i think the "install" button have to be renamed to: "keep me updated", or "subscribe to updates" so people know that if they click, it's for the coder to contact them with the newsletter to send them updates on the codes... because actually this is the only thing that this thing can do good...

[Corriewf]

calculating this and that detail, like calorie said, the install button is completely useless...

so i hope this is not taken in count when making the stats for HotM...

i think the "install" button have to be renamed to: "keep me updated", or "subscribe to updates" so people know that if they click, it's for the coder to contact them with the newsletter to send them updates on the codes... because actually this is the only thing that this thing can do good...

Your logic is not valid. If the install words impaired someone's ability to click install, wouldnt every hack share this same impairment, making hotm still fair?

Also, "Keep me updated" would not be reasonable as some hacks do not get updated. That would be false usage.

[nexialys]

Your logic is not valid. If the install words impaired someone's ability to click install, wouldnt every hack share this same impairment, making hotm still fair?

Also, "Keep me updated" would not be reasonable as some hacks do not get updated. That would be false usage.

actually the HotM is not fair... there was a lot of complains about how it was built lately, and i'm sure we will see other crisis about it...

and for the usage, look at most of the hacks released lately... coders ask to click the install button if they want to be updated... or to give support only when you click install...

this button is overused.. lol

[Corriewf]

this button is overused.. lol

Buttons or words are overused. You argue the importance of the button and then belittle its usefullness. I am confused now. Can you please clarify where you stand please?

and for the usage, look at most of the hacks released lately... coders ask to click the install button if they want to be updated... or to give support only when you click install...

The difference with those authors is that they anticipate an update which is why I hope they use those words. That situation may not apply to other hacks or authors. Also support is not always given yet sadly implied with the use of other words.

actually the HotM is not fair... there was a lot of complains about how it was built lately, and i'm sure we will see other crisis about it...


Correct me if I am wrong, but doesnt the current system reflect what staff want? If there is such an outcry then the staff would know and address as they feel applicable. The point of this forum is to make staff aware of a concern, once they are aware you should never bombard them with mutiple messages pertaining to the same subject. Once something has been addressed, how they respond is their busniess as they are staff and will do what they feel is best for the site.

If I am riding with you in a car while you are speeding and I make you aware, it is up to you to slow down. You are driving and even though I am probably right, you are still the driver.

[nexialys]

If I am riding with you in a car while you are speeding and I make you aware, it is up to you to slow down. You are driving and even though I am probably right, you are still the driver.
when i do that with my wife, she just have one word: shut up, i'm the one with the steering whell... you don't have your licenses"... same for the guys here, they don't have to always do what people ask them to do...

[Corriewf]

when i do that with my wife, she just have one word: shut up, i'm the one with the steering whell... you don't have your licenses"... same for the guys here, they don't have to always do what people ask them to do...


That was my point.... lol! I wish someone would drive me around all the time.... :( I am lazy.

[peterska2]

That was my point.... lol! I wish someone would drive me around all the time.... :( I am lazy.

They do for me. The joys of having your licence revoked on medical grounds :p

[Corriewf]

They do for me. The joys of having your licence revoked on medical grounds :p


For being so hawt right.....right... ;)

[peterska2]

For being so hawt right.....right... ;)

Not telling ;)

[Cap'n Steve]

i think the "install" button have to be renamed to: "keep me updated", or "subscribe to updates" so people know that if they click, it's for the coder to contact them with the newsletter to send them updates on the codes... because actually this is the only thing that this thing can do good...

Great idea! I think part of the problem is that people think clicking something labeled "Install" will actually do something instead of just subscribing to that hack.

There's another site where you must click install before downloading the mod. I think it would be a good solution to automatically mark it as installed for every user that downloads it, but give them an option to uninstall it later. One thing I worry about is that if a vulnerability is found in a hack which is then updated, how many people who use the hack never even hear about the update?

[Lea Verou]

I remember the first day I came here... I thought the Install button somehow magically installed the hack in my board and I was like "Wow! SMF didn't do that!" lol

[Borgs8472]

^ ^
me too!

:/

[EricaJoy]

Installed button is very useful for me. Its one of the 2 ways I keep track of what hacks I've installed on my board.

[Wayne Luke]

There is an easy fix for this issue...

Unless the addon is already marked as installed for that user, then the download link adds 1 to the number of installs.

Since the hacks and modifications that you install are not listed in your public profile, this is not any violation of privacy and should not raise security concerns.

[Paul M]

Unfortunately Wayne, that idea has one big flaw - I download many hacks but don't ever install them (some to look at, others to install for other people, not me). If that method were used then a pop-up question should ask something like "Do you wish to mark this hack as installed".

As suggested in the past, I think "Install" should be changed to "Installed".

[Ramsesx]

I remember the first day I came here... I thought the Install button somehow magically installed the hack in my board and I was like "Wow! SMF didn't do that!" lol
Uh, now I know why all my hacks don't work :ermm: :D

[MRGTB]

There are times to when you might install a hack and then decided to un-install it at a later date. Making you download the hack again to see what you need to edit to remove it.

I've done that myself

[Cap'n Steve]

Unfortunately Wayne, that idea has one big flaw - I download many hacks but don't ever install them (some to look at, others to install for other people, not me).

I don't think that's a flaw. If you're installing the hack for someone else, you should be clicking install anyway, and I don't see why you wouldn't want to click install if you're at least slightly interested in the hack. It's always a good idea to stay updated.

[peterska2]

this is why it would be best if you could click install multiple times.

eg, 10x arcade installs by me bu only one click. if i could click more than once I would but as i can't it's one or nothing.

[Paul M]

If you're installing the hack for someone else, you should be clicking install anyway, and I don't see why you wouldn't want to click install if you're at least slightly interested in the hack. It's always a good idea to stay updated.If I'm installing it for someone else, why on earth would *I* want to click install - I don't have it installed, they do. This still doesn't change the fact that people download some hacks just to look at them, never installing them.

[MRGTB]

If I'm installing it for someone else, why on earth would *I* want to click install - I don't have it installed, they do. This still doesn't change the fact that people download some hacks just to look at them, never installing them.

I think he meant you could click it on behalf of the person your installing it for, seeing as they are installing it.

But like you say, there are still many other reasons as already pointed out that still make it so it doesn't add up

[Paul M]

I think he meant you could click it on behalf of the person your installing it for, seeing as they are installing it.Nope, I expect them to do that with their login. I don't want my install list clogged up with other peoples installs, and i doubt anyone else would either. :)

[MRGTB]

Nope, I expect them to do that with their login. I don't want my install list clogged up with other peoples installs, and i doubt anyone else would either. :)

Yea, never thought about that - true!

[Cap'n Steve]

But if you're installing the hack, I'm assuming they're pretty clueless about that sort of thing. What if there's a security update? That's what I'm most concerned about. Take this for example: I took over the QuoteIt! hack which had about 200 installs, my first version has about 60 and the 3.5 version has about 100. I know the first version had a security hole, but there's probably many people who never found out about it. Those that did obviously didn't sign up for future updates.