Hello Tim
In less than 8 months CentOS 7 will be EOL. Do you plan to support something like AlmaLinux/RockyLinux 8/9 or Lifeboat will become a Debian/Ubuntu only product?
Best
Hi José,
I donât currently have plans to implement support for Alma or Rocky. CentOS support exists because thatâs where I had originally started with my server. I wouldnât remove support for CentOS until something critical breaks. As someone with their heels firmly planted in Big Sur, Iâm not going to force someone to change systems if they donât have to.
My main job is contract work. If someone has a need for this functionality and is willing to fund the development it could certainly be implemented. Lifeboat exists to fill my clientâs needs. If youâre my client and you have needs, it gets added 
My email address is support@strawberrysw.com if you would like to discuss your situation in detail. Without knowing the specifics for your project, I would recommend using Debian 12 as it has needed the fewest number of platform specific workarounds.
Please let me know if thereâs anything else I can help with!
Best wishes,
Tim Parnell
3 Likes
Thanks!
Iâve no problems with Debian, and really slowly moving to it because the âissuesâ that RHEL derivated distros are having with RHâs ânewâ policies. For now Iâm able to install apps in servers with NGiNX and create SystemDâs scripts, but sometimes think about the automatization of deploy with Lifeboat.
Thanks again by your answer.
Best,
Build 152
How was everyoneâs shopping holiday? Amazing? Great! I have an update to celebrate
(okay, really it just required more testing than most releases)
This version introduces custom reverse proxy setup which allows developers to run other kinds of applications upstream on their Linux server and still use Lifeboat to manage domains, SSL, and nginx! Using the custom reverse proxy setup, developers can also direct multiple addresses toward the same Xojo Web application (a long requested feature).
It is important to note that this version changes the local database in a significant way that is not backwards compatible. A backup copy of the database will be made before it is updated. Please check inside AppData if you need to revert to an earlier version. As always, direct support is available to anyone who needs it.
Changes in Build 152
New: Custom Reverse Proxy setup for running other web applications
Fixed: Support for servers with non-English locales
Fixed: Reading Secure Authentication config will no longer fail in rare circumstances
Fixed: Custom error pages now work with web paths not at the root
Fixed: Database version check for future versions
Fixed: Minor UI corrections
Changed: OK / Cancel layout is now more consistent
Changed: Tightened default request body size to protect web apps
Changed: Disabling Lifeboat Application Offline page also hides the Lifeboat nothing configured for address page
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
10 Likes
This is awesome news @Tim_Parnell and congratulations on this release.
Let me see if I understand the feature set of the new reverse proxy setup. Does this mean that under 152 that you can now load up multiple Xojo web apps onto a single server, but then have each be tied to a particular web path?
Using your screenshot as an exampleâŠ
App1 » xojo.dev/app1
App2 » xojo.dev/app2
IIRC, prior to 152 each web app you uploaded to a server required its own domain or subdomain. So this update in 152 will now allow for binding web apps to web paths?
Am I understanding things correctly or what might be off in my thinking?
The reverse proxy feature can be used to point myapp1.xojo.dev and myapp2.xojo.dev at the same Web App instance. One should be configured as a Web App while others may be a Reverse Proxy config.
The proxy at a path ability should only be used for applications that are built to handle an address like that. Xojo web is not.
1 Like
Minor update today. The previous version would run into an exception on password-based-authentication. This has been corrected and is the only change.
2 Likes
Build 155
More fixing of bugs this fine Monday. Todayâs build also includes an email field on the error reporter. Itâs totally optional but super helpful.
I do apologize for the rapid releases. These versions are fixing connection issues so they are critical fixes.
Changes in Build 155
Fixed: A RuntimeException caused by encrypted data will no longer occur
Changed: Error reporter now encourages a contact address (though it is not required)
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
4 Likes
Build 164
Itâs the major new release of the new year! I have spent the last few weeks refining the user experience in Lifeboat, attempting to make it easier to use. This update features a new big drop zone to indicate where to drop the build folder when uploading an app.
Power user features are also here! Lifeboat now provides access to some features that can help tweak performance of a web app. Experienced developers can now adjust the load balancing directive, maximum request body size limit, and override the Xojo temporary directory.
I have been working hard to make Build 164 a solid release to kick things off right. It is recommended that everyone update to Build 164 for the best experience.
Changes for Build 164
New: Folder drop indicator makes web app upload easier to understand
New: Advanced Web App Options to fine tune load balancing, security, and functionality
New: Address logs now also download access.log
New: Option to view logs with system Text Editor
New: Configure nginx mod_rewrite for Grav and Sendy
Fixed: Tools selection can no longer be confused by rapid successive clicks and a ridiculous Xojo Framework defect
Fixed: SSH Authentication setting corrected for ambiguously false values
Changed: nginx configuration errors now provide more details
Changed: Custom headers for reverse proxy configurations now override Lifeboat default values
Changed: X-Forwarded-For header is now uses $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for for custom reverse proxy configurations
Changed: Static File management no longer uses click-delay to rename items (use the contextual menu)
Changed: Cron jobs no longer use click-delay to rename items (use the contextual menu)
Changed: Esc key will no longer leave certain views to avoid uninteiontal destruction
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
11 Likes
14 posts were split to a new topic: Lifeboat support
Build 170
Web App Version History is here! Lifeboat can now archive a copy of the Web App being uploaded so that developers may roll back to a previous version. Enable the feature from Preferences and check out the manual to learn more. Version history can optionally be automatically limited to a certain number of versions.
This update features a number of other bugfixes and improvements that make this version the recommended version for all users. Donât forget that Lifeboat renewals / extensions have a significant discount from the new license price. Extend your Lifeboat license today from the license window.
Changes for Build 170
New: Web App Version History and rollback feature
New: Log viewer can now reload the logs in the view
Fixed: Manged --UploadPath no longer writes to log when temporary location already exists
Fixed: Changes to preferences now apply to open server connections immediately
Fixed: NilObjectException caused by clearing a log more than once no longer occurs
Fixed: Removes extraneous "error.log" from caption when viewing address logs
Fixed: The "Handle www. prefix" checkbox no longer gets stuck disabled after a manual SSL certificate domain has been edited
Fixed: Config adjustments for nginx + Grav
Fixed: About window will no longer raise a NSRangeException
Fixed: NilObjectException caused by quarantine no longer occurs
Changed: Adjusted "Hide identifiers" for Debian 12 Web App logs
Changed: Server setup progress label is now reflects correct install / update / repair action
Changed: Improved Debian / Ubuntu server software update process tracking
Changed: Debian / Ubuntu server software update process now cleans up orphaned packages
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
10 Likes
Build 175
Now supporting Ubuntu 24.04! As with most major Ubuntu updates, Lifeboat has to apply specific workarounds for this version. Be sure to update Lifeboat if you plan to use Ubuntu 24.04.
There are some other quality of life improvements in this version. Restarts can now be scheduled to occur at a specific server-time, such as when youâre asleep! Static Files auto-index generation is now available (but off by default for security). Lifeboat is finally able to overcome configuration conflicts during remote software updates as well.
Changes for Build 175
New: Support for Ubuntu 24.04
New: Schedule server restart at a specific time
New: Updates that require a reboot now inform the user
New: Static Files option to show the contents of a directory when index.html is missing
Fixed: Corrupted settings files no longer prevent Lifeboat from launching
Fixed: Check for server software updates handles manifest failures
Fixed: Server software update conflicts are now resolved automatically
Changed: Improved several areas of the User Guide
Changed: Lifeboat install / update process no longer overwrites Fail2Ban customizations
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
11 Likes
Build 184
Connect to SQL Server databases from your Linux Web App! Lifeboat can now install the driver and manager for ODBC to connect to Microsoft SQL Server databases with SQLDatabaseMBS. Unfortunately, efforts to connect with the built in ODBCDatabase class were unsuccessful. There is an example project in the User Guide.
This version also includes many minor bug fixes and updates. Selecting âHelpâ > âUser Guideâ will now attempt to open the relevant user guide page. It is recommended for all users.
Changes for Build 184
New: Install the ODBC driver for SQL Server
New: Context aware Help > User Guide menu item now attempts to open the relevant page
Fixed: Listing Postgres 16 users works again
Fixed: Testing connection will no longer report a failure when connection takes more than one attempt to succeed
Fixed: Loading a Web App config where the remote is missing now handled gracefully
Fixed: Static Files advanced options hide script configs when PHP is not installed
Changed: It is now possible to save a connection without testing credentials (hold alt)
Changed: Internal command improvements for more reliable results
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
7 Likes
I had missed that announcement and didnât notice the change in the app. Itâs a great addition and I thank you for having made it (and others welcomed additions too, along the months).
2 Likes
Build 198
The Security Update
Security was a major focus in this latest version of Lifeboat, adding several new bad-robot blocking features. These features save server resources for legitimate visitors and protect against common vulnerability scans.
Lifeboat now implements the nginx Ultimate Bad Bot Blocker which detects bad robots based on a blocklist that is updated daily with bad IP addresses, referrers, and user agents. Users can also customize the blacklist entries from the comfort of Lifeboat.
Also new in this Security Update is what has come to be known as the âWordPress Trapâ. Many automated robots scan the internet for WordPress configuration files in search of vulnerabilities to exploit. On servers where WordPress was never installed there is no legitimate reason for anyone to be looking for these config files. The Trap feature will use Fail2Ban to IP Address Ban anyone looking for these config files.
The nginx config writing system has had some major changes that should retain customizations made outside of Lifeboat in more instances. Lifeboat still overwrites files that itâs configuring, but the times when files need to be overwritten have been improved, and which files need to be overwritten have been reduced.
Changes for Build 198:
New: Security tools to protect against bad robots
New: Execute cron scripts on demand
New: Indicator when Web App executable is the wrong architecture
New: Manually renew certbot SSL certificates (for non-standard setups)
Fixed: Opening a server connection with Terminal now includes port parameter
Fixed: Turning off a database engine closes external access port if enabled
Changed: Improvements to the nginx configuration writing system
Changed: Improvements to the Fail2Ban configuration writing system
This update has been refined slowly for the last couple of weeks. Iâve finally had a moment to breathe and release it. The WordPress Trap has been active on my server for six weeks now and has caught more than 500 robots, Iâm so pleased with it.
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
18 Likes
Thanks Tim,
Works perfectly - as usual!!
Tim
1 Like
Thanks, Tim! Great work as always.
3 Likes
Build 201
Todayâs minor update fixes some bugs and adds some safeguards to the Web App upload / update procedure. Thereâs also a speed improvement to the âChecking Server Softwareâ step which may help significantly in some cases.
Changes for Build 201:
New: Prevents uploading executable names systemd won't start
Fixed: International uptime support
Fixed: Platform check now works for Web App executables with spaces
Fixed: Checking software step uses a simpler check to improve performance
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
10 Likes
Great job Tim!
Much appreciate your product, is a really HUGE time saver!
Build 202
Small update today to fix a SSH Exception that began occurring. Knowing the changes for previous releases, I did happen to know what caused the issue and I have corrected the root cause. However, I also added a recovery-retry system in the process of fixing the exception.
Important enough to warrant a fast release.
Fixed: SSH Exception during Web App upload is now handled with a retry
More information about Lifeboat:
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat
Download Lifeboat and try it out free of charge!
https://strawberrysw.com/lifeboat/get
Happy coding!
8 Likes