I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo/Dumo site
to give him the URL to check and install his drivers when I ran into this
notice that they're going to stop existing (apparently) in a few days...
<https://www.kcsoftwares.com/

Termination notice
KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
Sales are stopped.

SUMo
DUMo
IDPhotoStudio
VideoInspector
KCleaner
HDDExpert
RAMExpert
BATExpert
PortExpert
dot11Expert
MassCert
Startup Sentinel
Zer0
AudioGrail
PhotoToFilm
AVIToolbox
ApHeMo
K-ML
KFK
Ignition
Vampix
K-Mail (Active-X)
K-FTP (Active-X)
etc.
--
It's almost worthless to solve a problem and only help one person doing it.

On 10/22/2023 11:12 PM, Wally J wrote:
> It's almost worthless to solve a problem and only help one person doing it.

I'll tell the surgeons I know about the above. But don't you think they
might want to continue diagnosing and performing life-saving procedures
on individuals?
--
Jeff Barnett

Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote

> <<https://www.kcsoftwares.com/
>
> Termination notice
> KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
> All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
> Sales are stopped.

For the archives... so others benefit not only now, but well into the future
(your time and effort is only worth it if you help many others using that leverage).

C:\> for /F %i in ('dir /b *.exe') do certutil -hashfile %i SHA256 >> hash.txt
C:\> type hash.txt

<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/sumo_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of sumo_lite.exe: 614158ae45025e2ac13a043c78d3a8147543d6efc6b51368182051100687b203
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/dumo_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of dumo_lite.exe: a05173a81745375cea6d060baace7ee80a88143b5ea2ea61976301a0fedc3e02
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kcleaner_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of kcleaner_lite.exe: 8dd407c78d80732d02fb6ddcff76349eef2405b6ee740104bca9c385ad6d456e
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/videoinspector_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of videoinspector_lite.exe: 68990a699298fe6357a7223a4366e083a382334531e1604ffb27c808f4589c7a
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/portexpert_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of portexpert_lite.exe: e24402a3a9c3dc47b5c736dae5d5849fa6fcf436717f7896e54537b1b47de80a
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/hdde_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of hdde_lite.exe: fb660d04bf75760c3a2d9680df3e17f842558eb842dd05e9bda0e4e0988d5464
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/ramexpert_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of ramexpert_lite.exe: 4938a057fefe6a7e57edad3bf130112839ffc5d33828d3a7336fd78dafde006c
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/IDPS_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of IDPS_lite.exe: 0ea0c6071516a8e3ac518ecec17a5d3abe7380416cdff235ea12f5515596981d
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/batexpert_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of batexpert_lite.exe: f4d3e165ad35bf529182b68d96a1f398075a45db944bd652b69a2669f43f7929
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/phototofilm_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of phototofilm_lite.exe: f623b0018a86cd6c692d832108493bc9969d5771c751f582d22005434da9f6ae
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kml.exe>
SHA256 hash of kml.exe: a3d807a6d81fbd2164a907a1ff63170fd5f881b247c1e43b9abacc1650ac84b6
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/dot11expert.exe>
SHA256 hash of dot11expert.exe: 445f4c2ae64e2e976f10c5a0b2ea37f213a46d126bf0798979c6a0e9327a3015
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/sus_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of sus_lite.exe: 538d2462dfd6f878563e51975170133c98650fed51b72fb798d77941ce4aa6e4
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/aphemo.exe>
SHA256 hash of aphemo.exe: 25995579c9c28727d7c86669696b1cd560174e2cde767a4c7d4b3b3d1c394cb0
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/ignition_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of ignition_lite.exe: 2670106377baf8225fddea579e05e69ed4cc00b8ddaab2ae2d2e18d9bd6becd8
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/zero_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of zero_lite.exe: 8798deac4615c53ebe14edd90bab54a8ae8611c514c3d0e3e36af7375ae348b4
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/vampix_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of vampix_lite.exe: abee7d8ecb8e7a03b39adc7261cc001e5f0272598f5fa3a572732f3ac484a9ba
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/avitoolbox_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of avitoolbox_lite.exe: b097898061b6741bdf82bc3accd0b1f1e394260568efb96ca8254e908fd948b2
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/audiograil_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of audiograil_lite.exe: a01de39aa3ea170c333ba80cc4073b6ce89f58275bebc18b9d8e8c75cdbf022d
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/masscert_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of masscert_lite.exe: 76954b87032c5f18955df4dae51f8f0121a21b7c2a4ed5c8520ed8e5fbd80dd7
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kfk_lite.exe>
SHA256 hash of kfk_lite.exe: 60d49ca990d7c21e839fc4194cc1cad4517c2c769b33a7ad5baa1cbc8420c43d
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kmail.exe>
SHA256 hash of kmail.exe: 207e77a60e0c1c2ead5cbf388b792b89dc18f4fbf15262c70ab6bb5a6c0b7a65
<https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kftp.exe>
SHA256 hash of kftp.exe: 0030e8a4273d124f0db66af10f8dd0959f55807640d103bc936c33858b0e6b43
The reason for documenting the hash is to note whether the files change over time.
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.
And to contribute to the overall tribal knowledge value of the newsgroup.

Jeff Barnett <jbb@notatt.com> wrote

> On 10/22/2023 11:12 PM, Wally J wrote:
>> It's almost worthless to solve a problem and only help one person doing it.
>
> I'll tell the surgeons I know about the above. But don't you think they
> might want to continue diagnosing and performing life-saving procedures
> on individuals?

I get your point, which is there is value helping just one person.
I don't disagree.

But there's MORE VALUE in spending the time to help many other people too.
Which is where it becomes worth the effort to document things in detail.

To document in detail to help one person isn't worth the effort usually.
Unless that one person has done the same amount of effort to help you.

Which happens with some people, like Paul, Herbert Kleebauer & the like.
But most people don't even give you the time of day in a Usenet post.

To help them isn't worth a lot of effort unless we also help everyone else.
That's the trick.

It's why I write extensive tutorials (so many, that I can't count them).

If I'm going to spend my valuable time documenting a solution, it's not
worth my effort to help only one person. That's why I use archived ngs.

Unfortunately, the Windows archives suck, even as I've tried using them.
<http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10>
<http://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com/>

So I strive to add newsgroups which are autoarchived & web searchable:
<http://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.microsoft.windows>

Even though nobody actually uses that group - the archive is what matters.
Anyone can search that archive now or ten or twenty years from now.

That's leverage if they find our tutorials useful two decades from now.

Note I'm well aware most people are on Usenet merely for their amusement.
I'm not.
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.
And to contribute to the overall tribal knowledge value of the newsgroup.

Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote:

> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo/Dumo site
> to give him the URL to check and install his drivers when I ran into this
> notice that they're going to stop existing (apparently) in a few days...
> <https://www.kcsoftwares.com/
>
> Termination notice
> KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
> All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
> Sales are stopped.
>
> SUMo
> DUMo
> IDPhotoStudio
> VideoInspector
> KCleaner
> HDDExpert
> RAMExpert
> BATExpert
> PortExpert
> dot11Expert
> MassCert
> Startup Sentinel
> Zer0
> AudioGrail
> PhotoToFilm
> AVIToolbox
> ApHeMo
> K-ML
> KFK
> Ignition
> Vampix
> K-Mail (Active-X)
> K-FTP (Active-X)
> etc.

Unclear that means their web site and downloads will cease to exist.
I've downloaded lots of unsupported software, but the site remained and
the downloads were still available, or the software was available
elsewhere (e.g., download sites). Not sure "activities are to be
terminated" means they'll yank their web site, but there would still be
the costs of web hosting and bandwidth (at ovh.com), and they obviously
would not be generating new revenue to offset those costs.

They give their company address as "31190 AUTERIVE FRANCE". I wanted to
see if street view in Google Maps would show if it was a residence or
commercial building; however, without a street name, the street view
can't show the location. With the GPDR fucking up domain registrant
info, a WhoIS on kcsoftwares.com is severely redacted. Anyone can
visit, but God forbid anyone knows to who they connect.

On 10/22/23 22:12, Wally J wrote:
> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo

Thank you for the heads up!!!!

I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.

You have a favorite replacement?

On 10/23/23 17:24, VanguardLH wrote:
> Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote:
>
>> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo/Dumo site
>> to give him the URL to check and install his drivers when I ran into this
>> notice that they're going to stop existing (apparently) in a few days...
>> <https://www.kcsoftwares.com/
>>
>> Termination notice
>> KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
>> All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
>> Sales are stopped.
>>
>> SUMo
>> DUMo
>> IDPhotoStudio
>> VideoInspector
>> KCleaner
>> HDDExpert
>> RAMExpert
>> BATExpert
>> PortExpert
>> dot11Expert
>> MassCert
>> Startup Sentinel
>> Zer0
>> AudioGrail
>> PhotoToFilm
>> AVIToolbox
>> ApHeMo
>> K-ML
>> KFK
>> Ignition
>> Vampix
>> K-Mail (Active-X)
>> K-FTP (Active-X)
>> etc.
>
> Unclear that means their web site and downloads will cease to exist.
> I've downloaded lots of unsupported software, but the site remained and
> the downloads were still available, or the software was available
> elsewhere (e.g., download sites). Not sure "activities are to be
> terminated" means they'll yank their web site, but there would still be
> the costs of web hosting and bandwidth (at ovh.com), and they obviously
> would not be generating new revenue to offset those costs.
>
> They give their company address as "31190 AUTERIVE FRANCE". I wanted to
> see if street view in Google Maps would show if it was a residence or
> commercial building; however, without a street name, the street view
> can't show the location. With the GPDR fucking up domain registrant
> info, a WhoIS on kcsoftwares.com is severely redacted. Anyone can
> visit, but God forbid anyone knows to who they connect.

SUMo has agreements with software provide to keep him
apprised of versions updates. This will vanish.
Sumo will be worthless after that.

T <T@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> VanguardLH wrote:
>
>> Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote:
>>
>>> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo/Dumo site
>>> to give him the URL to check and install his drivers when I ran into this
>>> notice that they're going to stop existing (apparently) in a few days...
>>> <https://www.kcsoftwares.com/
>>>
>>> Termination notice
>>> KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
>>> All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
>>> Sales are stopped.
>>
>> Unclear that means their web site and downloads will cease to exist.
>
> SUMo has agreements with software provide to keep him
> apprised of versions updates. This will vanish.
> Sumo will be worthless after that.

If kcsoftwares.com is a download site of software by others, couldn't
you get SUMo from whomever is its author? When I search on "sumo" at
other download sites (e.g., softpedia.com, majorgeeks.com), they list
KCsoftwares as the developer. Can't see why KC would have to keep KC
appraised of new versions of SUMo. Looks like KC is going out of
business hence all its software will become unsupported which does not
mandate it is worthless. Well, except for this product of theirs, yes.

As for SUMo, and its ilk, I've never found nagware to be of much value.
I don't want something nagging me there is a new version. I disable
hardware updates in Windows, and auto-updates in programs. I've also
disabled WU, so no updates to Windows until I'm ready (have the
motivation, have the time, saved a full image backup). There are lots
of software update naggers. I don't use any of them. I do use
CCleaner, but never use its update check features (one for drivers,
another for software).

New code may fix old bugs, but it also introduces new bugs. Plus you
let someone else choose if and when to change the state of your
computer. The update checkers usually ask for your permission, but
considering who uses these means they will blindly opt to update without
ever checking what fixes, if any, will effect their use of the software.
These tools are second to using registry cleaners: most the same blithe
users use those, too.

Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote:

> Wally J <walterjones@invalid.nospam> wrote
>
>> <<https://www.kcsoftwares.com/
>>
>> Termination notice
>> KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023.
>> All products are to be considered as End-Of-Life (EOL) on October 31st 2023.
>> Sales are stopped.
>
> For the archives... so others benefit not only now, but well into the future
> (your time and effort is only worth it if you help many others using that leverage).
>
> C:\> for /F %i in ('dir /b *.exe') do certutil -hashfile %i SHA256 >> hash.txt
> C:\> type hash.txt
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/sumo_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of sumo_lite.exe: 614158ae45025e2ac13a043c78d3a8147543d6efc6b51368182051100687b203
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/dumo_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of dumo_lite.exe: a05173a81745375cea6d060baace7ee80a88143b5ea2ea61976301a0fedc3e02
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kcleaner_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of kcleaner_lite.exe: 8dd407c78d80732d02fb6ddcff76349eef2405b6ee740104bca9c385ad6d456e
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/videoinspector_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of videoinspector_lite.exe: 68990a699298fe6357a7223a4366e083a382334531e1604ffb27c808f4589c7a
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/portexpert_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of portexpert_lite.exe: e24402a3a9c3dc47b5c736dae5d5849fa6fcf436717f7896e54537b1b47de80a
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/hdde_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of hdde_lite.exe: fb660d04bf75760c3a2d9680df3e17f842558eb842dd05e9bda0e4e0988d5464
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/ramexpert_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of ramexpert_lite.exe: 4938a057fefe6a7e57edad3bf130112839ffc5d33828d3a7336fd78dafde006c
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/IDPS_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of IDPS_lite.exe: 0ea0c6071516a8e3ac518ecec17a5d3abe7380416cdff235ea12f5515596981d
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/batexpert_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of batexpert_lite.exe: f4d3e165ad35bf529182b68d96a1f398075a45db944bd652b69a2669f43f7929
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/phototofilm_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of phototofilm_lite.exe: f623b0018a86cd6c692d832108493bc9969d5771c751f582d22005434da9f6ae
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kml.exe>
> SHA256 hash of kml.exe: a3d807a6d81fbd2164a907a1ff63170fd5f881b247c1e43b9abacc1650ac84b6
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/dot11expert.exe>
> SHA256 hash of dot11expert.exe: 445f4c2ae64e2e976f10c5a0b2ea37f213a46d126bf0798979c6a0e9327a3015
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/sus_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of sus_lite.exe: 538d2462dfd6f878563e51975170133c98650fed51b72fb798d77941ce4aa6e4
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/aphemo.exe>
> SHA256 hash of aphemo.exe: 25995579c9c28727d7c86669696b1cd560174e2cde767a4c7d4b3b3d1c394cb0
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/ignition_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of ignition_lite.exe: 2670106377baf8225fddea579e05e69ed4cc00b8ddaab2ae2d2e18d9bd6becd8
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/zero_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of zero_lite.exe: 8798deac4615c53ebe14edd90bab54a8ae8611c514c3d0e3e36af7375ae348b4
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/vampix_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of vampix_lite.exe: abee7d8ecb8e7a03b39adc7261cc001e5f0272598f5fa3a572732f3ac484a9ba
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/avitoolbox_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of avitoolbox_lite.exe: b097898061b6741bdf82bc3accd0b1f1e394260568efb96ca8254e908fd948b2
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/audiograil_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of audiograil_lite.exe: a01de39aa3ea170c333ba80cc4073b6ce89f58275bebc18b9d8e8c75cdbf022d
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/masscert_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of masscert_lite.exe: 76954b87032c5f18955df4dae51f8f0121a21b7c2a4ed5c8520ed8e5fbd80dd7
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kfk_lite.exe>
> SHA256 hash of kfk_lite.exe: 60d49ca990d7c21e839fc4194cc1cad4517c2c769b33a7ad5baa1cbc8420c43d
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kmail.exe>
> SHA256 hash of kmail.exe: 207e77a60e0c1c2ead5cbf388b792b89dc18f4fbf15262c70ab6bb5a6c0b7a65
>
> <https://kcsoftwares.com/files/kftp.exe>
> SHA256 hash of kftp.exe: 0030e8a4273d124f0db66af10f8dd0959f55807640d103bc936c33858b0e6b43
>
> The reason for documenting the hash is to note whether the files change over time.

If their "termination" means their site gets killed, all these URLs
archived into Usenet will become unusable.

On 10/23/23 17:59, VanguardLH wrote:
> As for SUMo, and its ilk, I've never found nagware to be of much value.

Me neither.

I only like upgrading when it is "new and improved". I do
not care for "new and a whole new ton of bugs with
no improvements".

Problem: revision nagware is required for PCI (Payment
Card Industry) Certification. SUMo did a wonderful job
and was each for the users to run their weekly tests.
(I only upgraded the red ones [criticals] as required
by PCI-DSS SAQ-C.)

On 10/22/23 22:12, Wally J wrote:
> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo/Dumo site to give
> him the URL to check and install his drivers when I ran into this notice
> that they're going to stop existing (apparently) in a few days...
> <https://www.kcsoftwares.com/

This is the almost impossible to find download URL
for SUMo that I have used for years:

https://www.kcsoftwares.com/?download

On 10/23/23 08:41 PM, this is what T wrote:
> On 10/22/23 22:12, Wally J wrote:
>> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo
>
> Thank you for the heads up!!!!
>
> I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.
>
> You have a favorite replacement?
>
In my quick 2 second look, if I read Sumo right, it's much like PatchmyPC.
https://patchmypc.com/home-updater
--
Linux Mint 21.2 Cinnamon
Al

On 10/23/23 19:44, Big Al wrote:
> On 10/23/23 08:41 PM, this is what T wrote:
>> On 10/22/23 22:12, Wally J wrote:
>>> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo
>>
>> Thank you for the heads up!!!!
>>
>> I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.
>>
>> You have a favorite replacement?
>>
> In my quick 2 second look, if I read Sumo right, it's much like PatchmyPC.
> https://patchmypc.com/home-updater

Hi Al,

That one sound better than any of the other I found.
on:

https://alternativeto.net/software/sumo/?p=2

It sounds like I can do automatically or manual updates.

And it ranks the updates (criticals, etc.) which is
what I need.

Thank you!

-T

VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> wrote

>> The reason for documenting the hash is to note whether the files change over time.
>
> If their "termination" means their site gets killed, all these URLs
> archived into Usenet will become unusable.

Hi Vanguard,

Um... er... please spend a moment to give me some credit for not being
stupid as that's _exactly_ why I provided the hash in the first place.

If the site disappears, but if the software shows up somewhere else ten
years from now (and it will) how do you know if it's the _same_ software?

If you trust my hash - then you know the answer but w/o it, you don't know.

And the URL also has value - because it makes it easy for anyone else to
click on it to obtain the files instantly - which is why I provided it.

The URL is to allow anyone on this newsgroup to get the software easily
(please note that I almost _always_ go to the trouble to provide the URL).

Please give me credit for not being stupid like most people seem to be
& for thinking ahead on why I provided not only the URL, but also the hash.

T <T@invalid.invalid> wrote

>> As for SUMo, and its ilk, I've never found nagware to be of much value.
>
> Me neither.
>
> I only like upgrading when it is "new and improved". I do
> not care for "new and a whole new ton of bugs with
> no improvements".

Regarding the two valid observations both T & Vanguard bring up...
a. *What happens after October 31st 2023*?
b. T & Vanguard don't like nagware which they consider SUMO to be

Regarding the first issue, I think nobody knows yet what will happen.

That's why you kind of want to get the software now, before the 31st.
Which is why I provided the URLs (to make that process easy for you).

And if you read this ten years from now in the archives, that's why I
provided the hash (so that you know if it's the same software or not).

Regarding the second issue, there were two dozen executables listed.
SUMO is just one of those two dozen utilities.
<https://kcsoftwares.com/?sumo>
"SUMo (Software Update Monitor) keeps your PC up-to-date & safe
by using the most recent version of your favorite software !
Unlike built-in auto update features, SUMo tells you if updates
are available before you need to use your software."

Personally, I don't use SUMO; but I used DUMO in the past for drivers.
<https://kcsoftwares.com/?dumo>
"DUMo (Drivers Update Monitor) keeps your PC up-to-date & safe by
using the most recent version of required hardware drivers!"

Last time I used it for debugging crashes it told me the delta between my
current driver setup (for about a dozen drivers) which I found useful.

It did not automatically update the drivers as I think that costs money.
But it gave me the exact subversions and the links to the driver files.

Note that DUMO often found a _newer_ driver than Windows update found.
--
No sense doing a lot of work on Usenet if the answer isn't leveraged to
others, now & well into the future - using basic autoarchival capabilities.

T <T@invalid.invalid> wrote

>>> I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.
>>>
>>> You have a favorite replacement?
>>>
>> In my quick 2 second look, if I read Sumo right, it's much like PatchmyPC.
>> https://patchmypc.com/home-updater
>
> Hi Al,
>
> That one sound better than any of the other I found.
> on:
>
> https://alternativeto.net/software/sumo/?p=2
>
> It sounds like I can do automatically or manual updates.
>
> And it ranks the updates (criticals, etc.) which is
> what I need.

Wow. I love Usenet!

This purposefully helpful discussion is the beauty of Usenet!
You find people who can tell you things that you never knew before.
<https://i.postimg.cc/NjT62Fvt/patchmypc01.jpg> initial reporting
<https://i.postimg.cc/x84vMbdf/patchmypc02.jpg> downloading installers

To further add value, I ran the program once (it's still running),
where I output the following into my log file and export it to you.

I do that so that you can skim this log file in seconds to find out
whether or not you want to download and run the program.

Note that you'll want to make some judicious settings _before_ you
run it as you can download all installers instead of installing them!

It takes only one person to run it & report what it does to
help everyone have a better idea if they want to use it.

So my payback for cluing me in is to simply run & report results.

<https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download>
<https://patchmypc.com/freeupdater/PatchMyPC.exe>
Name: PatchMyPC.exe
Size: 2596472 bytes (2535 KiB)
SHA256: D5A2DDBA0EE5C577268D69BBC129046D48F36C8306C8A57D4F6B2E2DED193202

Where should it go?
I already have C:\archive\cleaner\{duplicate,uninstall,update,vaccine}

So let's put it there, where it belongs.
Note: I called it "update" but I'll use "updater" below for readability.
And I'll use plurals, again, only for easy user readability on Usenet.

Installer archive:
C:\archives\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\PatchMyPC.exe
Installed into:
cp that executable to C:\apps\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\.
Menu:
C:\apps\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc.lnk
Database:
Change the "cache" in the PatchMyPC "Options" to where it belongs.
C:\data\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\cache
Likewise with the "log" file location, putting it where it belongs.
C:\data\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\logs

<https://patchmypc.com/home-updater>
"Free Patch Management for your home environment"
"When you open Patch My PC Updater, it will scan your system
for outdated programs.
Outdated programs will be shown in �V Red
Updated programs will be shown in �V Green
Not-installed programs will be shown in �V Black"

What Are The System Requirements?
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
Internet access
a. Press network killswitch icon in the taskbar
b. Run patchmypc.exe
"Connection Error
Unable to connection [sic] to patchmypc.com.
Please verify you have internet connection And [sic]
try to browse to https://patchmypc.com
Error Message: The remote name could not be resolved:
'patchmypc.com'"
c. Press the network killswitch shortcut & run again
d. It's _not_ an installer; it's the executable!
PatchMyPC.exe version 4.5.0.4
e. Copy the executable to where it belongs
copy patchmypc.exe c:\apps\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\.
f. Create a shortcut to place in your taskbar pullout menu
copy patchmypc.lnk c:\menus\cleaners\updaters\.
g. Run patchmypc while on the net & set a few "Options"
[x]Don't delete app installer files
[x]Enable download only mode
[x]Enable IT Pro Caching Mode
Log=C:\data\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\logs\
Cache=C:\data\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\cache\
etc.

In my single test above, patchmypc downloaded the installers
for dozens of my apps (which I normally do not bother updating).

All the installers went into this specific named location.
C:\apps\cleaners\updaters\patchmypc\PatchMyPCITProCache\.
The log file containing the full URLs went into here.
C:\app\cleaner\updater\patchmypc\log\PatchMyPC.log

Here are just the first three entries to that ongoing log file.

10/24/2023 2:50:55 AM - Download URL: https://www.7-zip.org/a/7z2301-x64.exe
10/24/2023 2:50:55 AM - Download Path: C:\app\cleaner\updater\patchmypc\PatchMyPCITProCache\7-Zip 23.01 (x64).exe
10/24/2023 2:50:55 AM - Download size: 1.52 MB
10/24/2023 2:50:55 AM - Download Starting for: https://www.7-zip.org/a/7z2301-x64.exe
10/24/2023 2:50:55 AM - Downloading: 7-Zip 23.01 (x64) (1.52 MB)
10/24/2023 2:51:01 AM - Total download time in seconds: 5.58
10/24/2023 2:51:01 AM - 7-Zip 23.01 (x64) Downloaded Successfully

10/24/2023 2:51:01 AM - Download only mode enabled skipping install

10/24/2023 2:51:03 AM - Download URL: https://www.advanceduninstaller.com/soft/uninstaller/Advanced_Uninstaller13.exe
10/24/2023 2:51:03 AM - Download Path: C:\app\cleaner\updater\patchmypc\PatchMyPCITProCache\Advanced Uninstaller PRO 13.26.0.68.exe
10/24/2023 2:51:03 AM - Download size: 11.69 MB
10/24/2023 2:51:03 AM - Download Starting for: https://www.advanceduninstaller.com/soft/uninstaller/Advanced_Uninstaller13.exe
10/24/2023 2:51:03 AM - Downloading: Advanced Uninstaller PRO 13.26.0.68 (11.69 MB)
10/24/2023 2:51:19 AM - Total download time in seconds: 15.89
10/24/2023 2:51:19 AM - Advanced Uninstaller PRO 13.26.0.68 Downloaded Successfully

10/24/2023 2:51:19 AM - Download only mode enabled skipping install

10/24/2023 2:51:21 AM - Download URL: https://mirror.clarkson.edu/blender/release/Blender3.6/blender-3.6.5-windows-x64.msi
10/24/2023 2:51:21 AM - Download Path: C:\app\cleaner\updater\patchmypc\PatchMyPCITProCache\Blender 3.6.5.msi
10/24/2023 2:51:21 AM - Download size: 305.86 MB
10/24/2023 2:51:21 AM - Download Starting for: https://mirror.clarkson.edu/blender/release/Blender3.6/blender-3.6.5-windows-x64.msi
10/24/2023 2:51:21 AM - Downloading: Blender 3.6.5 (305.86 MB)
10/24/2023 2:56:21 AM - Total download time in seconds: 299.94
10/24/2023 2:56:21 AM - Blender 3.6.5 Downloaded Successfully

10/24/2023 2:56:21 AM - Download only mode enabled skipping install
etc.

Supported product list:

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Adobe Air
Advanced IP Scanner
Advanced SystemCare
Advanced Uninstaller PRO
AIMP
Amazon Music
Angry IP Scanner
AnyDesk
Atom
Audacity
Auslogics Disk Defrag
AutoHotkey
Autorun Organizer
Avast Free Antivirus
AVG Free Antivirus
Bandizip
Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware
BleachBit
Blender
BOINC
Brackets
Brave
CamStudio
Calibre
CCleaner
CDBurnerXP
Classic Shell
CMake
Code::Blocks
Copy Handler
Core FTP LE
CPU-Z
CrystalDiskInfo
CrystalDiskMark
DavMail
Discord
DiskCheckup
DoNotSpy11
Driver Booster
Driver Easy
Dropbox
EA App
EditPad Lite
eM Client
eMule
Etcher
Evernote
Everything
Exact Audio Copy
FastStone Image Viewer
FileZilla Client
Foobar2000
Foxit Reader
Free Studio
Freemake Video Converter
Freeplane
Frhed
GIMP
Git
GitHub Desktop
Glary Utilities
GlassWire
GOG Galaxy
GOM Player
Google Backup & Sync
Google Chrome
Google Earth Pro
Gpg4win
Greenshot
HandBrake
HashTab
Heidi Eraser
HostsMan
Hotspot Shield
HWiNFO32
HWiNFO64
HWMonitor
iCloud
ImageGlass
ImgBurn
Inkscape
IObit Malware Fighter
IObit Smart Defrag
IObit Uninstaller
IrFanView
iTunes
Java 8 (JRE) (x64)
Java 8 (JRE) (x86)
jetAudio Basic
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack
KC Softwares SUMo
KeePass
LibreCAD
LibreOffice
LMMS
Logitech SetPoint
Malwarebytes
Maxthon
Media Monkey
Media Player Classic �V Home Cinema
MediaInfo
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)
MKVToolNix
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox ESR
Mozilla Thunderbird
MP3Tag
mRemoteNG
MSI Afterburner
Multi Commander
MyPhoneExplorer
Mumble
MusicBee
MusicBrainz Picard
Nextcloud
NotePad++
NoteTab Light
NVDA Screen Reader
Nvidia Physx
OBS Studio
OpenOffice
OpenShot Video Editor
OpenVPN
Opera
OwnCloud
Paint.NET
Pale Moon
PDFedit
PDF Split and Merge
PDF-XChange Viewer
PDF-XChange Editor
PeaZip
PicPick
Pidgin
PNotes
PotPlayer
Privacy Eraser
PrivaZer
Process Hacker
Process Lasso
Progress Telerik ��Fiddler��
ProtonVPN
PureSync
PuTTY
qBittorrent
Reg Organizer
Registry Life
Resilio Sync
Revo Uninstaller
RogueKiller
RStudio
SABnzbd
Samsung Kies 3
SandBoxie
SFXMaker
ShareX
Simple System Tweaker
Skype
SMPlayer
Soft Organizer
SpeedCrunch
Spybot: Search & Destroy
Steam
Stereoscopic Player
Subtitle Edit
SumatraPDF
SUPERAntiSpyware
SyncBackFree
TeamSpeak 3 Client
TeamViewer
Telegram
TeraCopy
TortoiseSVN
TreeSize Free
Ubisoft Connect
Ultra Defragmenter
UltraSearch
Unchecky
Unlocker
Viber
Virtual Box
Visual Studio Code
Vivaldi
VLC Media Player
VMware Horizon Client
VNC Server
VNC Viewer
Waterfox
WhatsApp
WhoCrashed
Winaero Tweaker
WinAMP
WinDirStat
Windows Repair
Windscribe
WinMerge
WinRAR
WinSCP
WinUAE
Wireshark
Wise Care 365
Wise Disk Cleaner
Wise Folder Hider
Wise Program Uninstaller
Wise Registry Cleaner
WorldWide Telescope
WPS Office
XMedia Recode
XnView
XnViewMP
Xperia Companion
Zoner Photo Studio
Zotero
List of Portable Products:
AdwCleaner
AeroAdmin
AnyDesk
AS SSD Benchmark
BitDefender USB Immunizer
CCleaner
ComboFix
Defraggler
DesktopOK (x86)
DesktopOK (x64)
Display Driver Uninstaller
DOSBox
DShutdown
Geek Uninstaller
GPU-Z
InSpectre
Kaspersky TDSSKiller
O&O Shutup10
Recuva
RKill
RogueKiller (x86)
RogueKiller (x64)
Rufus
Speccy
SpeedyFox
Subtitle Workshop
Sysinternals Suite
Tor Browser
Ultimate Windows Tweaker
Windows Repair
Windows Update MiniTool
WSUS Offline Updates
360 Total Security
7-Zip
8 Gadget Pack
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.
And to contribute to the overall tribal knowledge value of the newsgroup.

On 10/23/23 22:41, Wally J wrote:
> VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> wrote
>
>>> The reason for documenting the hash is to note whether the files change over time.
>>
>> If their "termination" means their site gets killed, all these URLs
>> archived into Usenet will become unusable.
>
> Hi Vanguard,
>
> Um... er... please spend a moment to give me some credit for not being
> stupid as that's _exactly_ why I provided the hash in the first place.
>
> If the site disappears, but if the software shows up somewhere else ten
> years from now (and it will) how do you know if it's the _same_ software?
>
> If you trust my hash - then you know the answer but w/o it, you don't know.
>
> And the URL also has value - because it makes it easy for anyone else to
> click on it to obtain the files instantly - which is why I provided it.
>
> The URL is to allow anyone on this newsgroup to get the software easily
> (please note that I almost _always_ go to the trouble to provide the URL).
>
> Please give me credit for not being stupid like most people seem to be
> & for thinking ahead on why I provided not only the URL, but also the hash.

Hi Wally,

In the Linux world, hashes are always provided. I also
noticed that when downloading a Windows installer ISO,
M$ has starting to provide hashes as well. It is a
capitol idea. I did not think anything of yours when
I saw it, just that it looked professional.

-T

On 2023-10-23 08:14, Wally J wrote:

....

> It's why I write extensive tutorials (so many, that I can't count them).
>
> If I'm going to spend my valuable time documenting a solution, it's not
> worth my effort to help only one person. That's why I use archived ngs.
>
> Unfortunately, the Windows archives suck, even as I've tried using them.
> <http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10>
> <http://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com/>
>
> So I strive to add newsgroups which are autoarchived & web searchable:
> <http://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.microsoft.windows>
>
> Even though nobody actually uses that group - the archive is what matters.
> Anyone can search that archive now or ten or twenty years from now.
>
> That's leverage if they find our tutorials useful two decades from now.

Arlen, the way you are doing it is a waste of time.

Me, for instance, am reading this on alt.comp.os.windows-10, and the
oldest article I can read today is dated 2020-09-07. I do not search on
the sites you mentioned, I search here.

If you want to post useful tutorials, create or find a website to host
them, and post them there, properly edited and indexed.

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

On 10/24/23 03:17 AM, this is what Wally J wrote:
> T <T@invalid.invalid> wrote
>
>>>> I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.
>>>>
>>>> You have a favorite replacement?
>>>>
>>> In my quick 2 second look, if I read Sumo right, it's much like PatchmyPC.
>>> https://patchmypc.com/home-updater
>>
>> Hi Al,
>>
>> That one sound better than any of the other I found.
>> on:
>>
>> https://alternativeto.net/software/sumo/?p=2
>>
>> It sounds like I can do automatically or manual updates.
>>
>> And it ranks the updates (criticals, etc.) which is
>> what I need.
>
> Wow. I love Usenet!
>
<snip TL;DR>
>

Patch My PC HAS to connect to the internet to check for updates to itself and check all your found installed software
for new versions.
--
Linux Mint 21.2 Cinnamon
Al

Big Al <Bears@invalid.com> wrote:

> Patch My PC HAS to connect to the internet to check for updates to
> itself and check all your found installed software for new versions.

https://www.ghacks.net/2015/07/07/sumo-4-and-new-pro-version-released/
"Hit the check button to check all programs for updates. Please note
that these checks require an activate Internet connection."

It has to find out what are the latest versions from somewhere. Could
be a local database that has to get updated to reflect new software
versions available since the prior database download. Could be it
connects to a server with a list of your software inventory to query the
server for what are the latest versions.

SUMo needed Internet access to acquire updates (to itself, or for
lookups). With KCsoftwares ceasing operations, SUMo is going to get out
of date.

There is a Pro payware version. Wonder if its servers will still be
around to fulfill the license terms.

https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/11/kc-softwares-maker-of-sumo-and-other-apps-is-shutting-down/
"he EOL data means that products that rely on server connectivity, such
as SUMO or DUMO, will stop working, once the server architecture is shut
down."

Big Al <Bears@invalid.com> wrote

> Patch My PC HAS to connect to the internet to check for updates
> to itself and check all your found installed software
> for new versions.

Not really. It could pop up the GUI first, and _then_ connect to the
Internet only after you press a "Go get 'em!" button (like TBB does).

When I install an app, it gets a one-strike-you're-out criteria (which most
fail) but this PatchMyPC is a keeper already...

Thanks for suggesting it so that everyone benefits from your knowledge.

First off, PatchMyPC is a _great_ program because it grabs dozens of
installers and saves them into a single location for you to choose.

PatchMyPC also provides the URL to those installers, and, if desired,
PatchMyPC will install the updates (which is the part I didn't test).

Secondly, PatchMyPC.exe is the executable program - where I had _thought_
it was a stub installer because it was so small - but it's the program.

The only thing I could fault PatchMyPC is that I'd prefer the GUI pop up so
that I can set some of the settings _without_ having to be on the Internet.

But nothing happens unless you're on the Internet - which is kind of wrong.
It should be like any other program that connects to the Internet.
a. First you start the GUI
b. Then you can tweak whatever settings you want to change
c. Then you can press the "connect now" button to connect to the net.

Still, if that's the only flaw to complain about, it's a damn good app!
Looks like it was mentioned in 22 threads on a.c.f since 5/28/2012...
<https://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.freeware/search?q=patchmypc>

First hit on a.c.f in 2012...
<https://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.freeware/c/_53bzlsAhF4/>

There are other similar programs which have been suggested, e.g.,
<https://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.freeware/c/yYGvFZSHOjc/>
That thread has Poutnik suggesting "Secunia" for example...
<http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/>
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.
And to contribute to the overall tribal knowledge value of the newsgroup.

"Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote

> the way you are doing it is a waste of time.

Hi Carlos,

What you need to understand is I'm not like most people, much as Paul &
Vanguard & Stan Brown & Herbert Kleebauer aren't like most people are.

You are like most people. I am not and they are not.
You need to comprehend this distinction.

For example, I write so many tutorials posted to Usenet that I can't even
count them, as just one example of doing what almost nobody else will do.

However, Paul writes excellently detailed and researched answers too.
As does Vanguard (although Vanguard jumps to many unwarranted conclusions,
at least Vanguard is trying to be purposefully helpful by adding data).

Herbert Kleebauer writes entire batch files that I use daily, much like
Marek Novotny did, may he rest in peace - where I use Herbert's zone
changer, and scrcpy command religiously every single day of my life now.

Stan Brown and Andy Burns are much like many other highly intelligent
people who write insightful responses - even as they're usually succinct.

You, Carlos, on the other hand, are much like Joerg Lorenz and Alan Baker
and Frank Slootweg and many of the others who don't know how to add value.

Hence you can say "I'm doing it wrong", but you're not even doing it.
Big difference me being down on the field and you the armchair QB Carlos.

Here's what I do to disseminate my added value, for example...
a. I read a users' question (or I write my own question)
b. I spend a _lot_ of energy documenting a solution
c. I then ensure that energy is archived in the permanent archives

These permanent archives are available to _everyone_ on the planet.

For example someone could know nothing about Usenet and still search
<http://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.freeware>
> Me, for instance, am reading this on alt.comp.os.windows-10, and the
> oldest article I can read today is dated 2020-09-07. I do not search on
> the sites you mentioned, I search here.

I just found alt.comp.freeware articles on PatchMyPC dating to 2012,
the point being anyone on the planet can run a search using these URLs.
<http://groups.google.com/g/comp.periphs.printers>

> If you want to post useful tutorials, create or find a website to host
> them, and post them there, properly edited and indexed.

I have posted so many tutorials to so many websites, I can't count them.

Just look here, for example, in XDA Developers, to find a bunch of them.
<https://xdaforums.com/m/galaxya325g.11604613/recent-content>

The whole goal of writing this stuff is to disseminate the knowledge,
where what I probably should do is write for a tech magazine which has a
wider audience and where I can spend the time to write better material.
--
The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.
And to contribute to the overall tribal knowledge value of the newsgroup.

On 10/24/23 17:19, Wally J wrote:
> c. I then ensure that energy is archived in the permanent archives These
> permanent archives are available to _everyone_ on the planet.

Hi Wally,

Do the "tips" I occasionally write also get archived?

I was under the impression that this newsgroup was
not archived anywhere.

-T

T <T@invalid.invalid> wrote

> Do the "tips" I occasionally write also get archived?
>
> I was under the impression that this newsgroup was
> not archived anywhere.

Hi T,

That impression is wrong as this newsgroup _is_ archived somewhere.

I know this because not only am I different than most people who post to
Usenet, but I personally _created_ many of the easy-to-remember URLs.

However... there is more to the value of an archive than just the data.

The automatic archive is only 1/3rd the problem set which consists of:
a. Automatic archival of every thread & every post (in a timely manner)
b. Easy access (specifically sans account/login/software requirements!)
c. Efficient search & retrieval based on keywords (usually via a browser)

If you recall Carlos' statement that his nntp server provides archives back
a few years, but that he has to pay them for the access privileges...
you'll see why it's _important_ that the archives be available to everyone
on the planet who has a web browser and Internet access & nothing else.

The archives need to be easily remembered though, which is why I created
the tinyurl links to the previously horribly long Google archival URIs.

We covered this in many threads over the years, where I personally created
the tinyurl's to many of the newsgroups to make archives more accessible.
WINDOWS: <http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10>
FREEWARE: <https://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-freeware>
PRINTERS: <https://tinyurl.com/comp-periphs-printers>

Of the three newsgroups listed in the header, all are auto-archived.
WINDOWS: <https://comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com/>
FREEWARE: <https://alt.comp.freeware.narkive.com/>
PRINTERS: <https://comp.periphs.printers.narkive.com/>

But only two of the newsgroups have an archive that is from DejaNews' db.
WINDOWS: <http://groups.google.com/g/comp.os.microsoft.windows>
FREEWARE: <http://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.freeware>
PRINTERS: <http://groups.google.com/g/comp.periphs.printers>

Bear in mind I spent scores of hours communicating with the powers that be
at Google, as did others (I think Andy Burns tried, for example), to get
them to autoarchive the Windows newsgroup that most of us use daily.

The best I was able to accomplish was to get Google to _simplify_ the
newsgroup URL to the letter "g", which doesn't seem like much of an
accomplishment but if you saw the way they did it prior, you would thank me
for my extensive efforts to boil down a crazy-long URL to the letter "g".

Hope this answers your question where I provided more detail and specific
links so that my extensive efforts to help you *also* help many others.
--
Working alone we are not much use but working together we are powerful!

On 10/23/23 19:44, Big Al wrote:
> On 10/23/23 08:41 PM, this is what T wrote:
>> On 10/22/23 22:12, Wally J wrote:
>>> I was trying to help someone when I looked up the Sumo
>>
>> Thank you for the heads up!!!!
>>
>> I use Sumo a lot on customer's PCI compliant machines.
>>
>> You have a favorite replacement?
>>
> In my quick 2 second look, if I read Sumo right, it's much like PatchmyPC.
> https://patchmypc.com/home-updater

Patchmy PC evaluation:

1) not a thorough as SUMo. Misses driver that are out of date (AMS)

2) worky interface

3) does not differentiate critical for just out of date

Basically, sort of good, but I will continue looking for better.