Getdown: Download, Install, Update
Top     Design     Rationale

What is it?
Getdown (yes, it's the funky stuff) aims to provide a system for downloading and installing a collection of files on a user's machine and upgrading those files as needed. Though just any collection of files would do, Getdown is mainly intended for the distribution and maintenance of the collection of files that make up an application.

It was designed as a replacement for Java Web Start due to limitations in Java Web Start's architecture which are outlined in the rationale section.

How does it work?
The main design and operation of Getdown is detailed on the design page. You can also browse the javadoc documentation if you're interested in implementation details.

How do I use it?
Tutorials for creating a sample project will be made available shortly. For now, check the examples on the design page and post questions to the Game Gardens forums.

Is it free?
Yes! Getdown is released under the GPL. Stop whining, it's good for you. The most recent version should always be available here.

Where can I see it in action?
Getdown was originally written by developers at Three Rings Design for the deployment of their Java-based massively multiplayer game Puzzle Pirates. You can download and install Puzzle Pirates to see Getdown in use in a production environment.

Obtaining Getdown:
The latest version of Getdown can be checked out from Subversion or you can download a pre-built distribution:

Getting Involved
Check the forums listed above, or send email to Michael Bayne. Contributions and bug fixes are always welcome.