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PAD stands for Portable Application
Description, it was created by a developer
and purchased by the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP) a number of years ago. The
ASP maintains the specification and provides it
to developers free of charge. The PAD file for
an application maintains relevant information
related to the application, in the PAD format.
Basically, PAD uses XML to store information related
to a software application.
Software download websites extract information
from the PAD file, like the software name, file
size and download link. The software download
site uses the information contained in the PAD
file to create a listing for the software in its
archive.
Many software download sites also poll the PAD
files of software listed on their websites. If
the PAD file has changed they automatically update
the software listing with the new information.
Software sites often will request the software's
pad file during the software submission process.
The download websites can then extract the information
about the application from the PAD file.
PAD - http://www.asp-shareware.org/pad/
PAD Tips
The following tips will help ensure that you
get the most out of your PAD file and PAD submissions.
1. Static Links
The links contained in the PAD file should be
static and should not change when the software
is updated. The download link in particular, should
not contain a version number.
2. Validate Your PAD File
After you create or modify a PAD file you should
run it through the PAD validator. Make corrections
to you PAD file based on the validators results.
http://www.sharewarepromotions.com/pad_validation.asp
or http://www.padspec.org/validate.php
3. PAD Control
Pad files should be hosted on your own domain.
While there are third party hosting services,
if you forego control and the third party site
is down you will lose web traffic from the hundreds
of download sites that reference your PAD file.
It is best to retain complete control over your
PAD file and its location.
4. PAD File Location
The PAD file should be placed on the website using
the following format domain.com/pad/application.xml
and if your software is available in a zip file
you should also include the PAD file in the downloadable
zip file.
5. Avoid Versions
Do not use the version numbering in the name of
the PAD file. It is best to simply use a generic
name for the PAD file. It is suggested you name
the PAD file the same name as the software. It
will be instantly out of date if you incorporate
version numbers into the name of the PAD file,
keep the name generic.
6. Thorough
Be thorough and complete in filling out a PAD
file, do not leave fields blank. Software download
sites will extract the data for a listing, so
incomplete PAD files could result in your software
being unlisted. Inaccurate PAD files could result
in the propagation of incorrect information over
multiple websites, so be sure you check all the
links as well as the accuracy of the information
in the PAD file.
7. Character Care
Avoid using the following characters in your PAD
file, because they could be displayed improperly:
In fact avoid using any unusual characters in
your PAD file just to be safe.
8. Information Tips
a. The file size should be listed in bytes.
b. The icon should be 32x32 and it is suggested
that developers use a .gif format.
c. Use a separate email address in the
PAD file. Filter the PAD file emails into a separate
mailbox. You will need to use the email to confirm
registrations but you will also receive some unrelated
email, it is best to anticipate this and filter
into a separate email box.
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