New beta version of avast! is ready to be tested!
Compared to the latest official build (396), it contains a few bugfixes, and also some new features – such as the possibility to use any skin (even those from our web catalog) with any language version of avast AND an attempt to make avast work even in AMD64 environment with WinXP SP2 loaded.
How to install the beta:
Download the file http://cat.asw.cz/beta-bart2/servers.def and place it to the \setup folder (overwrite the existing file) – see comments below on how to download the file.
Invoke avast! program update (will require reboot).
That’s about it.
Note that servers.def is a text file - so I recommend to right click the link and select “Save as”. If you left click it, it may open in your browser as text (as a page). In that case, you can simply copy&paste it to the corresponding file, but the first method is definitely more convenient.
And as always – I’ll be glad to hear any respective comments from you guys!
I would need to do a full uninstall..then reinstall if I wanted to revert back to v4.1.396 wouldn't I?
Yes, that’s correct. Downgrades are not supported.
But you won’t have to do that if you opt to upgrade to the next program update (of which this is beta), of course… It should be officialy out during the next week.
So far so good… no problems detected for now… Also, all those new commands for avast4.ini file are working perfectly… I am able to change colors of those detailed info message screens when avast checks my incoming and outgoing e-mails…
Quote by Igor:
- MsgTitleBkgColor1 - initial color of the titlebar background
- MsgTitleBkgColor2 - final color of the titlebar background (a gradient is formed: initial color... final color)
- MsgTitleTextColor - color of the titlebar text
- MsgInfoBkgColor - color of the message background ("simple info message")
- MsgInfoTextColor - color of the message text ("simple info message")
- MsgHighBkgColor - color of the message background ("high priority message")
- MsgHighTextColor - color of the message text ("high priority message")
- MsgFatalBkgColor - color of the message background ("fatal error")
- MsgFatalTextColor - color of the message text ("fatal error")
The values for the “Info screens” (e.g. the blue square saying that “Program update is available”) are:
InfoEmergencyTitleBkgColor1 - initial color of the background for emergency messages
InfoEmergencyTitleBkgColor2 - final color of the background for emergency messages
InfoEmergencyTextColor - text color for emergency messages
InfoNormalTitleBkgColor1 - initial color of the background for normal messages
InfoNormalTitleBkgColor2 - final color of the background for normal messages
InfoNormalTextColor - text color for normal messages
InfoTitleColor - title text color
An example: to set the titlebar text color of the “Show detailed info on performed action” messages to green (which is probably not what you really want to do, because it’s not very nice to read), use
MsgTitleTextColor=65280
First ‘strange’ thing:
When I update, this happens:
Program version from 4.1.396 to 4.1.407
Database version from 0423-2 to 0423-1
Setup program version from 4.1.396 to 4.1.407
What’s up with the database update?
Won’t I have updates untill I change from the beta to final version?
please give us the current virus database (0423-1 is old)!
OK it should be there. It was not THAT old but I understand.
skins: I would like to see something as inheritance of current XP skin.
I don’t understand. You mean like color pallette etc? I’m afraid that would be quite difficult to do… And could also look pretty ugly under non-standard themes.
Anyway I’m glad the beta works OK for those who’ve tried it so far…
No problems here with virus database update (see attachment)…
Quote by Drahnier:
skins: I would like to see something as inheritance of current XP skin.
Quite not possible from my point… that must be done by Alwil programers and in my opinion it would be so much job to do… there is plenty of skins in skin download section, and there will be more skins in the future (promise)… everyone can find something for him/herself. Let our Alwil coders do their job regarding avast functionality, which is much more important than skin issue…
I wouldn’t published the avast! Home/Pro 4.1.407 final release until is fully checked, and you should wait at least a month before you publish the lateat software on the web.
Question how many people at the Alwil company is testing the software?
what i mean is: avast should have a skinning option in a way it uses the current windows xp theme. e. g., if you have applied xp’s luna olive theme to your desktop settings, all avast window decorations (and dialogs) should also look like luma olive (same look and feel). - in the past i have done some work in user interface design (and usability) and i think cross-application consistency is a big plus.
version 4.1.407 is doing it’s job. no preblems so far.
SpeedyPC, I respect your opinion, but mine is that the users could ‘remain’ with the old version (not updating the program automatically).
Other users could update easily. I don’t think Alwil does not work hard before releasing an update. If you feel so - no program has no bugs or errors - you could remain with the stable old one.
But, like I said, it’s just my personal opinion 8)
If I’m not wrong Drahnier, this happens with the Professional version.
Skinnable applications - that I know - do not ‘follow’ the rules of windows schemes, that is precisely the reason of the skin: different appearance :
Anyway, Sasha has the final word as you can read before
Sasha, we, the users, allways said that skins are not the problem while the program is being updated… Few days more and skins are the most important thing… We’re going from the programming to graphical priorities from time to time ;D