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Re: kicad version and install location

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Another idea would be to provide a package with version 4 libs. That way users can work with the new v5 features but do not need to worry about updating libraries. 

On 14/07/18 09:29, Rene Pöschl wrote:

I get the feeling there is a bit more panic than need be.

One of the reasons is that the v4 installer on windows did set operating
system variables (environment variables) which can create problems when
updating. So it might be a good idea for the v5 installer to clean up
this mess. (or at least warn the user) These things should really be set
in the kicad config files via the kicad main window -> preferences ->
configure path. (If the reports on the forum are correct then
environment variables overwrite the settings of that dialog. And as the
v4 installer set them by default this can be a source of major confusion.)

Another reason for problems is that the sym lib table is created with a
new install and points to v5 libs but the fp-lib-table will still point
to the github v4 libraries. (The 3d models will be also from the v5
libs. Resulting in a mixed setup.) So an option to clean up the
fp-lib-table from within the installer or within kicad might help. Maybe
a "reset to factory settings" button within the library managers? (With
the warning that personal libs will need to be manually added after that
operation.)
Or at least some info for the user that if v4 was installed previously
the fp-lib-table needs updating. (Maybe a dialog with "do not show again
tickmak" that tells the user that if they had v4 previosly they need to
reset the fp-lib-table or they need to install the v4 lib and setup the
sym-lib-table accordingly.)



On 14/07/18 06:13, Adam Wolf wrote:

What options do we have?  Anything beyond "postpone V5" or "wait for
the next release"?

Could we rebrand the V5 release as a "technical preview" or something
that is suitable for experts (and new users, actually) and make V5.1 V5?

Adam

On Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 10:10 PM Mark Roszko <mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:

     Wayne,

     Guess going to suggest it should be a priority to version the config
     into folders.

     This is a user made chart on how to install kicad 5 which honestly is
     silly it has to even exist lol
     https://kicad-info.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/2X/d/d6143659e9237fc358588bed761ef3e557454cde.png


     On Wed, Jul 11, 2018 at 1:56 PM Wayne Stambaugh
     <stambaughw@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:stambaughw@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
     >
     > Mark,
     >
     > I agree with you in principal but this would require some major
     changes
     > to KiCad internally to handle the configuration data the
     "windows" way.
     > I really do not want to push the stable 5 release back any
     further than
     > it already has been.  I'm open to trying to accomplish this as
     part of
     > the 5.1 release if we can implement it soon enough to get some
     testing
     > on it.
     >
     > Cheers,
     >
     > Wayne
     >
     > On 7/8/2018 12:19 AM, Adam Wolf wrote:
     > > Let's postpone this discussion maybe until the 10th when Wayne
     is back
     > > at it.
     > >
     > > On Sat, Jul 7, 2018, 10:33 PM Mark Roszko
     <mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx>
     > > <mailto:mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx>>>
     wrote:
     > >
     > >     Hey guys,
     > >
     > >     So with 5.0 approaching theres something of an annoying
     problem on
     > >     windows (that many are complaining about). The install
     location!
     > >     Currently, even though you can install kicad into separate
     folders if
     > >     you wanted to, kicad still tries to write to the same
     appdata folder!
     > >
     > >     Why would you want both the new and old? Because if you
     want to tweak
     > >     a old design, you don't want to risk opening it in newer
     versions and
     > >     having unforseen bugs. New designs sure, you really want
     to use the
     > >     latest and greatest, but the old is a risk not worth taking,
     > >     especially in the commercial field ;)
     > >
     > >     Also there is a settings conflicts between 4.0 and 5.0
     sharing appdata.
     > >
     > >     I've seen some kicad forum "workarounds" where they use
     launcher
     > >     scripts that set KICAD_CONFIG_HOME each time. While it
     works, its
     > >     completely against the windows way :3
     > >
     > >
     > >     What I propose, is we patch KiCad a little to:
     > >
     > >     1. Write to appdata in a versioned manner (just minor and
     maybe
     > >     minor version)
     > >     C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\kicad 4.0\
     > >     C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\kicad 5.0\
     > >     C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\kicad 6.0\
     > >
     > >     2. Potentially prompt the user on first-start to copy
     settings.
     > >     (Maybe? Might be too much work for the final 5.0)
     > >
     > >     Then we patch the installer to follow the convention of:
     > >     C:\Program Files\KiCad 4.0\
     > >     C:\Program Files\KiCad 5.0\
     > >     C:\Program Files\KiCad 6.0\
     > >
     > >     This would do what every other CAD and IDE does on Windows
     > >     (versioned installs).
     > >
     > >     But what if people want to install in crazier ways ?!
     > >     Well then that should beyond the scope of the "standard"
     installs and
     > >     they are on their own. (Just like other tools)
     > >
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     --
     Mark

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