Sim File Maid

Get Updates

This page is old! Sim File Maid no longer updates itself- automatically or manually- as it is done. No more versions. No more need to as it does everything it will ever need to do.

Beginning with version 2.1.0, Sim File Maid has the ability to check the Sim File Maid website for updates, download a new version, and start the install process. By default, The Maid does not check for updates. If you would like her to automatically check for updates (every 3 days, when she is run):

  1. Click the "?" button
  2. Choose "Other Options"
  3. Check the "Allow The Maid to Check for Updates" box
  4. Click the "Pencil Button"

Regardless of whether or not you do this, you can always check for updates "on-demand" by clicking the "Check for Updates Now!" option after clicking the "?" button. All of this is done without sending ANY private, user-specific, or other information to anyone. Really. I promise. No 20 page legal document with vague definitions. No spying or data-mining. Period.

For the curious, this is what happens when The Maid checks for updates:

  1. Sends an HTTP GET to "mattwork.potsdam.edu" for "/projects/SimFileMaid/current.txt". This file contains the version number of the most current version of The Maid.
  2. Compares the aforementioned number to its own version number.
  3. If the available version is newer (bigger number) it will then prompt the user and ask if they want to download it.
  4. If they do, then it sends an HTTP GET to "mattwork.potsdam.edu" for "/projects/SimFileMaid/SimFileMaidInstaller.exe" to download the installer.
  5. After it's done downloading, the installer is executed and The Maid quits.

This is a sample log entry for someone (me) who is requesting an update check:

137.143.108.252 - - [09/Octl/2002:14:07:12 -0400] "GET /projects/SimFileMaid/current.txt HTTP/1.1" 200 "Maid Updater 2.2.5"

Ip address - - [date/time stamp (local to me)] "GET /what/you're/requesting HTTP/version-number" return-code "Maid Updater version-number"

That's actually LESS information then I would get if you used a browser to download the same file. I'm a staunch privacy advocate, and as such I would never mine information about users.

Sim File Maid is not supported or endorsed by Maxis or Electronic Arts. Although if they'd like to use/improve/distribute/support/endorse it, I'd be happy to work with them on such an endeavour. But I'm not begging or anything. Really. Just sayin'.