Re: Database updates about node-geoip

[bluesmoon]

Maxmind license does not allow us to distribute the latest version of the library along with the package. Only the user of the library is allowed to download it.

[kreationnext]

I didn't mean to distribute the list, what I meant was like a cron kind of stuff that would download the database say every week if license key is assigned. Can you do that.

[bluesmoon]

Yes, many people do that. It's not something that can be built into the library since it's an operating system level configuration.

[kreationnext]

Like for example
if(updatedb ever receives license key) {
store license key in a file
}

setInterval(() => {
run updatedb with the stored license key or
download the database again
}, every 7 days);

This way no rebuilt is required

Also many people depend on your updates to download the database. So just changing the release version is required.

Which means is that they think that the the database is released only when you release an update. This is a verified fact

[kreationnext]

this can be done in this way too

lookup(ip) {
	...
	download_data();
}
updatedb(LICENSE_KEY) {
	...
	save_license_key_to_file();
}
download_data() {
	var last_data_download_date = load_date_from_file_stored_or_memory();
	var last_week = new Date();
	last_week.setDate(last_week.getDate() - 7);
	if(last_data_download_date > last_week) {
		var mutex = is_singlerun();
		var license_key = load_from_stored_license_key_file();
		if(mutex && license_key != "") {
			updatedb_async((license_key) => {
				reload_data(() => {
					update_last_data_download_date_to_file_and_memory();
					release_mutex();
				});
			}); 
		}
	}
}

[kreationnext]

what do you think?

[bluesmoon]

This is not something we will build into the library. Each person has their own way they'd like to run the update, so you should do that in your own code.

[kreationnext]

Thank you for your response.

A such I am left with only one option, i.e., ask a favor from you.

The issue is one of my client thinks that you and MaxMind are in the same. They don't allow me to update the database unless you release an update. Though this is an odd request but still can you just change only the version number monthly so that I can convince them that they need to update the database.

[kreationnext]

After you released the last update on 25th April, I updated the database on May. There after I am unable to convince him that an update is required. I have done several rebuilds thereafter but cannot convince him that a database update is required. As such my only option was to reach out to you.

[bluesmoon]

Can't you set up a cron job on the host? BTW, in my experience automated updates are not a good idea. We've found many times that an update broke things because maxmind changed something. Always need to run tests after an update.

[bluesmoon]

I also don't have the time to do monthly updates. I haven't even used this library in almost 10 years since our codebase moved to Java.

[kreationnext]

The issue is I cannot edit the code. The code was written by my client's son. After his son's demise he keeps it as his memory. I am only allowed to do a rebuild and update the database when you give a new release.

[kreationnext]

Can't you set up a cron job on the host? BTW, in my experience automated updates are not a good idea. We've found many times that an update broke things because maxmind changed something. Always need to run tests after an update.

He hosts it on his local system. So I can't do any changes without him noticing. I don't take money from him. I want to help him survive through his old days. He has been by my side in my worst days, so trying to give him some comfort and also preserve his sentiments.

[kreationnext]

I also don't have the time to do monthly updates. I haven't even used this library in almost 10 years since our codebase moved to Java.

We do a lot of things for ourselves, a small charity like this wouldn't hurt I think.

[kreationnext]

I think I will have to write a similar library then, since you don't have time

[bluesmoon]

I plan to release a new version this coming week. Please ping me if not done by Wednesday.