I have too many files and each time my system takes a dirtnap and I have to reload it I also have to reload Poser. And the 2 day long process of reinstalling ALL my renderosity files.  I redownloaded Daz Studio and had access to every one of their files within an hour.  It is near suicidal for you to NOT address this issue.  Trust me I wont be buying anything from you untill you do, it just isnt worth the time and effort.

Color me a sad but loyal and frustrated customer.

That's one opinion now why don't you back up your system? and than we don't have to pay for a Download assistant

Quote - I have too many files and each time my system takes a dirtnap and I have to reload it I also have to reload Poser. And the 2 day long process of reinstalling ALL my renderosity files.  I redownloaded Daz Studio and had access to every one of their files within an hour.  It is near suicidal for you to NOT address this issue.  Trust me I wont be buying anything from you untill you do, it just isnt worth the time and effort.

Color me a sad but loyal and frustrated customer.

there is something better:

Ctrl+C  and Ctrl+V :)

I've have been backing up my Poser files since the late 90's....no way in hell did I ever wan't to loose stuff in my runtime that I paid for or work files.

I'f your runtime+files is small enough to fit on a DVD or two do that...If more, buy an external HD and back up every so often. I back up every couple of months which is probably not smart but at leist it's there. Never had a problem with my PC or Mac when I used them.

Back up runtimes regularly and archive them in secure off site storage.  It's even easier if you keep everything that doesn't have be installed to main Poser runtime in external runtimes on an external drive.  If you internal drive dies, you don't lose any of your runtimes or their content.  Only thing you have to do is re-install Poser and add the external runtimes to the library list.  However, it is a good idea to regularly back up and store a copy of the runtimes off site because even external drives can fail.

I have to agree. Back everything up. I have it all on an external. I model a lot of stuff, and my runtime has just as much of my own things as it does the Poser native stuff.

How many times has your system died? I have had the same laptop (Toshiba Satelite Windows 7) for 5 years without a problem. Perhaps you need to look into a more reliable machine...

I keep back ups of my runtimes, as well as backups of the actual .zip files on 2 separate drives. I prefer that to remote downloaders. Given that external hard drives are so cheap now I don't see any reason not to. Just fill 'em up, label them, stick it in a bookshelf. No loss of bandwidth that way, either.

Downlouders suck they never put where i tell it so i end up doing double work try to find wher it decided to put the files and then put them where it whanted them at ,,,

I batted back and forth with DAZ tech help  but ther no fixed,,not going to be buying anythang because there downlodder wont work right for me

I personally have a collection of CD's as a hardcopy backup (12, by now) as well as back ups of every file I've downloaded as zip files.  I learned the hard way with the old computer.  I prefer, actually, downloading my files myself rather than a download assistant; I tend to put files where I want them in my runtimes.

Quote - I prefer, actually, downloading my files myself rather than a download assistant; I tend to put files where I want them in my runtimes.

Me to.

Actually if you want to get down to it, Poser had a downloader long before DAZ ever thought of one.  It goes all the way back to Poser 5, the Content Room and the original Content Paradise (the one Curious Labs tried to get started no the one eFronteirs lauched and SMS acquired).

I have an external HD with backups and keep a backup set on Amazon S3. Even if Rendo had a downloading service, it would not save me much time. Getting everything in the runtime I expect it to be would need far more time than downloading.

No downloading system please. The last thing we need is yet another party trying to tell us where we can put our stuff for THEIR benefit.

Its like a stranger rifling through my pantie drawer. It is icky.

A two day long restore process!!!

I have a 'image' of my C drive with all the programs, all my runtimes (about 40 I guess and 150Gig altogether) are on another drive.  This runtime drive is also backed up by a process that only updates the changes which means I can back it up daily if required but normally I run it weekly.  Both the image and the runtimes are backed up monthly to two drives, one stored in a fire safe and the second held at another location.

Restore process.  1. Restore image to C drive, or new drive if required. 2. Start runtime restore process and go to bed.  3. Get up next morning to a fully restored Poser installation with all my runtimes as they were and all my work and work in process where I left them.

I keep my downloaded files backed up on DVD, and my runtime backed up on a couple of external hard drives. 

However, for general downloading I'd be happy if DownThemAll worked with Renderosity.  I can batch unzip with 7-zip...

Quote - A two day long restore process!!!

I have a 'image' of my C drive with all the programs, all my runtimes (about 40 I guess and 150Gig altogether) are on another drive.  This runtime drive is also backed up by a process that only updates the changes which means I can back it up daily if required but normally I run it weekly.  Both the image and the runtimes are backed up monthly to two drives, one stored in a fire safe and the second held at another location.

Restore process.  1. Restore image to C drive, or new drive if required. 2. Start runtime restore process and go to bed.  3. Get up next morning to a fully restored Poser installation with all my runtimes as they were and all my work and work in process where I left them.

 

Which app do you use to create the disk image?  We tried several different apps but we haven't been entirely happy with any of them. 

Which app do you use to create the disk image?  We tried several different apps but we haven't been entirely happy with any of them. 

I use Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite as it also allows me to create and modify disk partitions on the fly along with imaging and other tasks.  As it is not unusual for me to build PCs I have used it quite and lot and find it reliable. 

The other program I have used in the past if Norton Ghost which seemed to work well but that was when working in a PC repair shop and I have not used it for a few years now.

The only issue I see with a download manager, is that if the produst is no longer sold you wont get it back anyway. They are great if the product will be there at the time you need it to be, but that is a big if...

My Runtimes go as far back as Poser 4, and many of the things in them are no longer available. I also have many characters, clothes, and props that I created myself.

Backing them up is the only way to ensure that they don't turn into vaporwear.

My Runtimes are mirrored onto 5 machines.

I use Time Machine on my mac to back up things on a 2TB disk. I can go back to weekly backups as far back as about 6 months ago (it uses a trick that only adds stuff that has changed, so my 1TB disk goes a pretty long way on a 2TB backup). As a result, I don't have to worry about this. I don't know what's out there for windows folks, but there should be something similar. Carbonite's anual cost is cheaper than buying a large disk these days and should be very safe. If you go that route, you could rebuild even after a fire (once you got replacement hardware, of course).

As for download manager, I have no problem if that's on option, but I won't use it, and I won't make anywhere purchases if I'm forced to (I'm begrudigingly willing to tolerate the likes of Smith Micro since it's only once or twice a year that I'll use it). I tried using DAZ' downloader, and it made a huge mess and installed a bunch of old V2/M2 stuff that I'll never need. After wasting hours of trying to sort through it, I switched to downloading their zip files and manually install them just like I do with Renderosity stuff. If they stop offering zips, I will stop buying from them and the same applies to Rendo or anyone else that sells poser content.

Quote - Downlouders suck they never put where i tell it so i end up doing double work try to find wher it decided to put the files and then put them where it whanted them at ,,,

I batted back and forth with DAZ tech help  but ther no fixed,,not going to be buying anythang because there downlodder wont work right for me

The DAZ Install Manager is not mandatory - you can download the zips from the Product Library in your account, or you can use DIM to download and install manually if you prefer (which gives the benefit or resumable downloads).

Quote - The only issue I see with a download manager, is that if the produst is no longer sold you wont get it back anyway. They are great if the product will be there at the time you need it to be, but that is a big if...

My Runtimes go as far back as Poser 4, and many of the things in them are no longer available. I also have many characters, clothes, and props that I created myself.

Backing them up is the only way to ensure that they don't turn into vaporwear.

My Runtimes are mirrored onto 5 machines.

The DAZ Install Manager doesn't have to delete the zip when it's done - in fact i think leaving them is the default state. As long as the zip is there it will install the product, even if it is no longer available - and i should add that all products should remain available to download for purchasers, even if they are pulled from the store or moved to another store (I still have some of Traveler's V1 outfits, with RenaPD's textures, showing in DIM).

I would like a download manager. A download manager is not the same thing as a download manager and installer. What is wrong with want to be able to tick about to download something, instead of clicking each item individually and then save as?It saves so much time by having it running in the background instead of having to monitor.

On the subject of the DAZ's install manager, you can just use that to download items. Or you can get it to download and install the items. I do that but I've unticked the box for automatic install. I select which runtime I want a file to go into. People seem to be giving the DIM a level of automation it does not poses. The DIM will only download and install what you tell it to. If you don't want something to download untick the box. Don't want something to automatically install? Untick the box. Want something to go to a different folder than the default? Add that path in. The only area you seem to have no choice in is program files,

Quote - I use Time Machine on my mac to back up things on a 2TB disk. I can go back to weekly backups as far back as about 6 months ago (it uses a trick that only adds stuff that has changed, so my 1TB disk goes a pretty long way on a 2TB backup). As a result, I don't have to worry about this. I don't know what's out there for windows folks, but there should be something similar. Carbonite's anual cost is cheaper than buying a large disk these days and should be very safe. If you go that route, you could rebuild even after a fire (once you got replacement hardware, of course).

The only thing about Time Machine that I've never liked is that everythihng is still on the same drive, so if that drive goes everything goes. On the other hand, if you have seperate drives to back up to, it's great.

Quote - The only thing about Time Machine that I've never liked is that everythihng is still on the same drive, so if that drive goes everything goes. On the other hand, if you have seperate drives to back up to, it's great.

I figure it's good enough for most situations. My primary data reside on a RAID device. So, between that and the backup, I feel OK. DVDs will become useless in a few years. So, it's either HDD or tape, and I can't afford tape backup. A cloud based backup system sounds good, though, as a last resort. I'm seriously considering sinking the money in there. 

It seems quite a few of you are under the impression download managers install content for you.

A download manager is not the same thing as an install manager. 

A download manager will only download the zip files. You install them however you like.

I'd love either a free download manager, or a download all button for my products.

Sure, I can have backups, and my luck my power strip goes nuts and everything plugged into it takes a crap.

I started backing up to my external as well as to my dropbox.

Unlikely that Renderosity will make a download manager, they don't write client side software and whilst it wouldn't be difficult to develop they would have to support it on all the different platforms people choose to install Poser on which takes up the time and money. I've used 3rd party download/install managers with nexus and armaholic and they work well when you just want to use the product and not have to deal with the unzipping, copying of the files and version control. Have always been a bit puzzled that given how long Renderosity has been running no one has written a 3rd party d/l app for this site (maybe someone did).

There used to be a really good installer here, but it went away because the author got tired of having to modify it every time Daz farted and made a new variant of their installer exe. Now that everyone is zip compliant, it ought to not be that big of a deal. Perhaps someone with more programming ability than I will take up the gauntlet.

Quote - There used to be a really good installer here, but it went away because the author got tired of having to modify it every time Daz farted and made a new variant of their installer exe. Now that everyone is zip compliant, it ought to not be that big of a deal. Perhaps someone with more programming ability than I will take up the gauntlet.

Actually now that DAZ has gone primarily to zips, the old 3D Conent installer worked fine save for the issue of the DAZ zip having the runtime folder as a subfolder of the content folder.  You end up having to move the runtime folder up one level and delete the content folder.

The only thing I dislike about it is that it is tied to the system.  I much prefer being able to install an app, input the serial and go.  Especially when the vendor decides to go AWOL.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

**
**Please lawd don't do this.  I have the Daz Install Manager and the directory levels in their downloads.  The way it's done here is excellent.

Simply:

1. Backup your downloads

2. Backup your Library directory

**
**

**
**

I have been thinking about this, and I can see the use of a download manager that lets you select files to download, downloads on a schedule/restart  etc., but an installer would be a waste of programming time for most users.   I think that most long time users put thing where they want, not necessarly where the vendor wants :D

Bill

"DVDs will become useless in a few years"

Good disks stored well will keep their data for approx 50 years or so.

Read that in New Scientist

Quote - "DVDs will become useless in a few years"

Good disks stored well will keep their data for approx 50 years or so.

Read that in New Scientist

Depends on the disks used to a large degree.  DVD RAM is often used to archieve data and according to Wikepedia the estimated life is 30 years.  I have some that are over 10 years and still good but I do not use them as a sole backup medium

Quote - "DVDs will become useless in a few years"

Good disks stored well will keep their data for approx 50 years or so.

Read that in New Scientist

Yeah, I've got some cassette tapes that have held up well from the 90's. But can't say the same for any cassette players.

I never store valuable data on any RW type disk, It's DVD-R and CD-R (CDs last longer than DVDs)

For short term backup of an on-going project I use RamSticks.

External HDDs have the advantage of large capacity, giving me a quick Search-Find-Install sequence. But for long term I always use Write-Once opitcal...

Wow lots of great ideas.  Doesnt solve anything tho.

When a computer dies, short of a backup image (I will look into that but just as this last time the image had the flaw on it as well so the system crashed again) and you have to reload poser I have found that backing up the runtime is useless as the program wont recognize them unless they were installed by hand.  Seems that when they install they place files needed in other directories outside the poser file.  Anyway having an install manager would be very nice.  Hell perhaps a better version of unzip that will do multiple files?  Does this exist? 

I, of course, have all my files on a back up disk but clicking through the unzip process is just a nightmare.  Winter is coming, maybe I will do it when I have a few days to spare.

I have had a folder holding seperate runtimes since Poser 6 and that folder is backed up on a regular basis.  Although it has grown in size the same folder has been used across 3 systems and every upgrade in Poser since Poser 6.

If it is a new system or a new install all I do is load the folder and the link each runtime to the new Poser installation. With the exception of the odd individual item I have never had to return to the site I have purchased my data for a further download.  In fact I have all the downloads backed up anyway.  If you have a good back up procedure I do not see the need for bulk downloads.

It isnt the download that is the problem.  I have all my files its unzipping them one by one that is the nightmare.  Last time it took two days and I didnt even finish.  Its just a pain.

Quote - It isnt the download that is the problem.  I have all my files its unzipping them one by one that is the nightmare.  Last time it took two days and I didnt even finish.  Its just a pain.

A program like 7zip can extract any archives files in a directory at once. Select all the zip files and just chose a directory to unzip.

The only problem with doing a bulk unzip is that all the files end up in the location that the vendor decided was the best place, which may not suit you.  It is a judgement call as to whether the multiple unzip and then sort out the locations is a more efficient method than individually unzipping to a temp folder and working from there.

Of course, if the runtimes were back up correctly, neither of these problems would be an issue.

Quote - > Quote - It isnt the download that is the problem.  I have all my files its unzipping them one by one that is the nightmare.  Last time it took two days and I didnt even finish.  Its just a pain.

A program like 7zip can extract any archives files in a directory at once. Select all the zip files and just chose a directory to unzip.

THANKS!  You are a savior!

That's one opinion now why don't you back up your system? and than we don't have to pay for a Download assistant

You are paying for poser... a lot as well... or you can get DAZ Studio and a downloader for free.  It wasnt much of struggle, I do miss Poser at times but DS has turned out to be a great option and its. once again, free.  And who said I didnt back up?  You have to reload the files from their packs to a new runtime in my exp with Poser.  I tried just copying the runtime once and it didnt work, perhaps I did it wrong?  I have all the old files on back up, I just hate unzipping them.  As a perk it seems that I can use my old runtime folder with DS  so color me happy.  That and someone pointed me to a program that unzips multiple files at once so I am really happy.

 If you have a backup and still have to unzip content then either you are backing up the wrong thing or your restore procedure is not right.  I have all of my content in a folder called Poser content on my E drive. Within that folder I have around 40 runtimes and I back up the main Poser Content folder.  To restore I just copy my backup to a drive and the only thing I have had to do in the past is point Poser to each runtime.  I have done this a few times now without problems and the folder has been there since Poser 6 days while growing on a weekly basis.

Don't get me wrong, I am not having a go and I have had have some manic problems with restores, enough to want not to have to do it again. I am really glad you have got it sorted but if you have backed up the data a restore really should be a lot easier than what you have had to go through.

Quote - There used to be a really good installer here, but it went away because the author got tired of having to modify it every time Daz farted and made a new variant of their installer exe. Now that everyone is zip compliant, it ought to not be that big of a deal. Perhaps someone with more programming ability than I will take up the gauntlet.

Actually now that DAZ has gone primarily to zips, the old 3D Conent installer worked fine save for the issue of the DAZ zip having the runtime folder as a subfolder of the content folder.  You end up having to move the runtime folder up one level and delete the content folder.

The only thing I dislike about it is that it is tied to the system.  I much prefer being able to install an app, input the serial and go.  Especially when the vendor decides to go AWOL.

I had an old public beta copy of it that worked fine on zips; it would search the archive for a runtime folder and extract the files to the correct location.   I never bought the commercial version because it was tied to one computer.  Perhaps he could be persuaded to sell it again now that the headaches of dealing with DAZ installers is gone...

Of course, if the runtimes were back up correctly, neither of these problems would be an issue.

I always understood that Poser did not take back ups well so that while I did have them copied on another hard drive, poser would not recognize them.  Like i have said, I might not have done this correctly because placing the old runtime into a new installation never worked for me.

 If you have a backup and still have to unzip content then either you are backing up the wrong thing or your restore procedure is not right.  I have all of my content in a folder called Poser content on my E drive. Within that folder I have around 40 runtimes and I back up the main Poser Content folder.  To restore I just copy my backup to a drive and the only thing I have had to do in the past is point Poser to each runtime.  I have done this a few times now without problems and the folder has been there since Poser 6 days while growing on a weekly basis.

Don't get me wrong, I am not having a go and I have had have some manic problems with restores, enough to want not to have to do it again. I am really glad you have got it sorted but if you have backed up the data a restore really should be a lot easier than what you have had to go through.

Not at all!  These are excellent ideas now that I am using DAZ studio I will be able to do just this!  It allows for as many install places as you like for Poser content.  Thanks!  And sorry for all the "now that I am using DS" junk.  Sounds like Propaganda but it isn't meant that way.  If I could afford Posers last upgrade i would be all over it but they upgraded rather quickly but not quick enough for me to get the cheap update.  Reality makes the point moot as that is what I render with for both DS and Poser. Thanks again.

 

Not at all!  These are excellent ideas now that I am using DAZ studio I will be able to do just this!  It allows for as many install places as you like for Poser content.  Thanks!  And sorry for all the "now that I am using DS" junk.  Sounds like Propaganda but it isn't meant that way.  If I could afford Posers last upgrade i would be all over it but they upgraded rather quickly but not quick enough for me to get the cheap update.  Reality makes the point moot as that is what I render with for both DS and Poser. Thanks again.

Glad you got it sorted I just try and help where I can so that users can have fun building their scenes and rendering, no matter what they use for their software.  Much better that than spending hours with zip files if it can be avoided,