Feature request: version tracking and update management.

[oncleben31]

What do you think about adding the possibility to track addon version and notify user when new version is available.

We could let user add repositories where a json or yaml file could track version and download URL of one or more addon.

[NathanVaughn]

I've considered this, but I don't know how to accomplish this effectively.

1. Definitely the biggest issue is that there's no one central place to check for updates. msfsaddons.org, msfsaddons.com, flightsim.to, /r/FS2020Creation/, etc., there's a ton of places to get mods from. I'm not aware of any that have any sort of programmatic API access to check versions with. You would almost need some sort of master list of all addons (for example, winget) to be able to query against. So either you spend a lot of effort to support to every site, or spend a lot of effort to try and create a master repository. I unfortunately don't really have the time for either.

2. This would require every mod developer to include some sort of extra manifest file that described the download location, or for the mod manager to keep track of these sources on the side. I've been avoiding adding any sort of "side-tracking" so that this solely works off the native game files. I'm not against this, it just adds more complexity.

[oncleben31]

Your points are super valide but I think there are options. I'm an Home Assistant user an d contributor and there custom component manager HACS is very inspiring.

We can imagine for MVP:

• Mod developers manage a json file with some metadata (addon manifest). At least latest version and url for download. (GitHub or any free hosting service could easily host this type of file)
• Mod Manager manage a list of tracked addons (official repository) by maintaining a list of the json file URL from previous point. This list could be manage on GitHub and let users or Mod developer add their addons with PRs
• We let user the possibility to add manually custom repository list (managed by others) or addon manifest url.
• ModManager is comparing the installed version to the one in the manifest and warns the user when a new version is available.

We can imagine additional user stories for future version:

• manage automatic download when addons are hosted on Github
• manage automatic download when addon is hosted on Mega.zn
• manage automatic download when addon is hosted on Google drive
• discuss with current addons repository like the one you have given in 1. if we can have an API to can for versions and/or manage automatic downloads.

What do you think ?

[NathanVaughn]

I'm all for these features, I just don't have the time to work on them currently, while in college. If you (or anyone else) wants to work on them and open pull requests, you are more than welcome to. For now, I will leave this on the backlog.

[Grimsek]

Could you add a Column/Field selector in Add-on List header in order to get at least "Minimum Game version" from Info panel =>in order to easily Disable previous versions of Add-on. or in a shorter way, add this col.

o7

[buanzo]

1. Definitely the biggest issue is that there's no one central place to check for updates. [msfsaddons.org](https://www.msfsaddons.org/), [msfsaddons.com](https://msfsaddons.com/), [flightsim.to](https://flightsim.to/), 

What if we created that?

[TryTryAgain]

Could be handled similarly to CKAN for KSP? I would love this!