I understand there is an update from 1195 to 1201 and I have now updated, but where about in the forum is the info informing us that there was an update? or are we just meant to look here every so often.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-4-home_pro-revision-history.html
You only need to look there if a) you have just had a program update b) you are interested in finding what the changes have been in that update.
No need to look every so often as nothing will have changed unless there is a program update.
That is why that page is called an avast! 4 Home/Pro ‘Revision History.’
But how was I to know of a program update? I only found out by visiting the forum…
Is it ok now to therefore have the box ticked to allow automatic program updates as well as definition files?
In Program settings-Update Basic I have “Ask when update is available” for program updates, am I suppose to get a notification when there is indeed an update available to the actual program version?
Yes, why not.
The program updates are released but to avoid excessive load on the servers the auto update check happens randomically every 7 days and it’s not checking every time you connect to the Internet as with the iAVS checks. Every avast installation has a unique, randomly generated GUID (“general unique identifier”) associated with it (it is generated during installation). This ID is random, but fixed. They use this value to determine when the updater pops up on YOUR machine, i.e., the program already knows that the update is there, but it won’t tell you until it’s your turn. You have to allow the update, i.e., it’s not a forced and automatic update.
What should happen when you have the option ticked for "Ask when update is available?
As I said I had this option prior to updating to 1201, wasn’t asked though.
You should be warned in 7 days…
When you have the program update set to “Ask” you will see a green popup window (rather like the blue popup window that accompanies a VPS update) telling you that a program update is available and inviting you to click on it to start the update.
As explained above - it is possible that you would not be advised of a new version being available for up to seven days after the avast team has decided to initiate the general rollout of a new version. The avast team may - for their own good reasons - not initiate the general rollout at exactly the same time as they make the new program version available. That might cause a slightly longer delay.
So I take it that because I have manually updated to the new 1202 version I won’t now receive a warning green pop up window?
Indeed - since you have already updated to 4.8.1201 then you should not need or see any advice to update.
Sorry yes, I meant to say 1201.
New user here, after the installation my version updated itself automatically, and then I checked it manually.
Seemed to be updated to 1201 on auto. Is there a problem with the Avast! update engine that I should know?
Mine seems fine so far.
The program updates are on a seven day cycle to balance server load (though it is more than 7 days since 1201 was released), it is also on Ask, checks if an update is available and asks the user if they want to update now.
So the program update acts differently yo the VPS updates, which are considerably smaller.