ExifTool release notes

[Phil Harvey]

I started this thread to comment on some of the behind-the-scenes action regarding ExifTool development.

Some of you may have noticed that it has been a long time since the last production release (version 9.76, last November).  Well, I had been planning for 9.80 to be a production release, but this got postponed due to the incomplete Windows Unicode file support that was added in version 9.79.  This support was completed in version 9.85, but we still need some time for the dust to settle before a production version can be released.  I'm now aiming at 9.90 as the next production release, which will probably be toward the end of March.

- Phil

[siamak]

Is there a way to be notified each time a new release is released?
or auto update?

Siamak

[StarGeek]

There's an RSS feed.

Phil also uploads to Sourceforge, so you can follow it there.  I believe they also have an RSS feed and there's probably an email setting, as I also get emails from Sourceforge everytime Phil updates it there.  Finally, if you're familiar with GIT (I'm not), it looks like there's a command on the Sourceforge page to download it for you. 

[Phil Harvey]

Also, there is an email list I maintain for those who want to be notified of production releases.  Email me at philharvey66 at gmail.com if you want to be added to this list.

- Phil

[siamak]

Thanks Phil. I send my email to you.
StarGeek thanks for info. But could not find the RSS for new release. Do you mean the RSS for this forum? I will look into SourceForge and Git for auto email.

[StarGeek]

StarGeek thanks for info. But could not find the RSS for new release. Do you mean the RSS for this forum?

My post included the link for the RSS feed.  The feed includes version history and link to each version.

[siamak]

thanks. for some reason does not work with my safari. Just get blank page!

[siamak]

Finally was able to install rss feeder for safari to use it for rss feeds.
Thanks looks very good. I can see the list now.

[Phil Harvey]

Yes.  Apple in all their wisdom dropped the RSS reader from Safari.

Now Safari is slower and more featureless then ever.

- Phil

[justinlazenby]

Where can we locate legacy versions of ExifTool?  I'm restricted by my operating procedures to only using version 8.75, and I have been unable to locate a copy.

[Phil Harvey]

Is it an incompatibility in versions later than 8.75 that causes the problem?  If so, what is the incompatibility?  I try really hard to maintain backward compatibility.

I used to have all old versions available on the backup web server, but that machine died unfortunately.

I've just made them available for you here.

- Phil

Edit: Hmmm...  This is my working directory, so you may be able to even snag an upcoming version from here before it is officially released.  Like right now for example. 

[justinlazenby]

No, no problem with the program itself.  Our lab's tool-use policy restricts me to only tool versions which our testing and validation section has tested and approved.  The last version approved for use was 8.75.  Further versions of the tool just haven't been tested, and I've heard nothing but praise from my colleagues in other labs that use more current versions.  Keep up the great work!

And thank you for access to the legacy versions.  I have a copy of 8.75 now, and plan to employ it later today.

--Justin