Geiger

(previously known as 'atom-beta-notifier')

A platform-independent (Linux, Windows, etc...) package for being notified about newer-than-currently-in-use versions of Atom.

Why does this package exists?

Because if you use the beta releases of Atom, or if you are a Linux user, the default notification system may not work for you.

If you have less hacker-like Atom usage patterns, this package may add no value to your workflow.

Under the hood

This package downloads the release information about Atom via the GitHub API (this is what it makes it platform-independent, BTW).

Based on your configuration settings the package may then notify you of newer stable or beta versions, or even just informing you are fully up-to-date.

Usage

The package checks for new version of Atom at launch, but it is possible to manually perform the check via command palette (search for geiger) or the Package menu directly.

The boot check can be disabled entirely from the settings.

Known limitations

• The GitHub API is throttled. If you check for updates more than 60 times per hour, subsequent checks won't work. Seriously though... 60 times per hour? Are you that impatient?!
• The fact that there is a tag for a new release in the Atom repo does not automatically mean that the new version is already available for download. It eventually will be, though, so check back after a couple of hours or so if that happens to you.

Why "geiger"?

Short version: because I am a nerd.

Longer version: because in nature atoms decay over time, transforming themselves into other elements and generating ionizing particles that can be picked up by a geiger counter. If an outdated Atom version has "decayed", this package should detect it! 😉

Contributors

Also contributed to the geiger: @skyrpex @XanderXAJ

To do

• Write tests