content/appendix-windows-release-process.md: draft this checklist

content/appendix-windows-release-process.md

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
++++
+title = "Appendix: Windows App Release Process"
+weight = 600
++++
+
+We generally find that automation of software release processes is truly a
+life-changer. But there are still aspects of the release process for the [WWT
+Windows client][wwt-windows-client] that aren't fully automated. Some of them
+could definitely benefit from automation; others probably aren't worth it.
+
+[wwt-windows-client]: https://github.com/WorldWideTelescope/wwt-windows-client/
+
+**TODO:** it would be *really* nice to have a way to prototype dataset updates
+without potentially affecting existing installs, but we don't have the
+infrastructure to do that yet.
+
+1. In a [wwt-windows-client] checkout on `master`, prepare a [Cranko] release
+   request, including release notes for both app and datasets.
+1. Upload any new data files to the cloud, updating the data version in
+   `wwtfiles:catalogs/wwt6_login.txt`.
+1. Generate new preloaded data cabinet file using a development build of the
+   app:
+   1. Delete `~/AppData/Local/American Astronomical Society/WorldWideTelescope/`
+   1. Launch the app
+      1. Turn on MPC asteroids in Solar System view
+      1. Zoom all the way out to SDSS galaxies
+      1. Switch to Sky mode
+      1. Open Mars folder of Explore ribbon
+      1. Click on Tours tab to load up its folder
+      1. Switch to Earth mode, spin around
+      1. Toggle 8k cloud maps in the Earth cloud layer properties
+      1. Right-click Earth in Layer Manager and "Add WMS Layer"
+      1. Register the built-in WMS server under the name "NASA"
+      1. Open up the "View from Location" selector dialog
+      1. Switch to Mars view, spin around
+      1. Switch back to Earth mode to pull 8k cloud maps
+      1. Open the language settings UI
+   1. Exit the app
+   1. Run the `MakeDataCabinetFile` tool
+   1. Upload resulting file to `wwtfiles:devops/datafiles_release.cabinet`
+1. Push Cranko release request to WWT `rc` branch. This triggers the main
+   release processing.
+1. Download the release installer from [GitHub][gh-releases] and duplicate to
+   `wwtwebstatic:$web/releases/wwt/`.
+1. Update the installer redirection URL:
+   1. Update `temporary_redirects.map` in [wwt-nginx-core].
+   2. Build local Docker image and test locally.
+   3. Submit pull request, merge to `master`
+   4. Verify that production service has updated with `curl -I
+      https://worldwidetelescope.org/support/wwtsetup-latest.msi`.
+1. Update the user website:
+   1. Update either `download/_index.md` or `download/beta.md` in [wwt-user-website].
+   2. Preview changes with [Zola].
+   3. Submit pull request, merge to `master`.
+   4. Verify that user website has updated.
+1. Re-update the login file to announce the new version:
+   1. Pull down [the login file][login6]
+   1. Rename it to `wwt6_login.txt`
+   1. Update the `ClientVersion:` line
+   1. Upload to `wwtfiles:catalogs/wwt6_login.txt`
+   1. Check that an older install detects the update.
+
+[Cranko]: https://pkgw.github.io/cranko/
+[gh-releases]: https://github.com/WorldWideTelescope/wwt-windows-client/releases
+[wwt-nginx-core]: https://github.com/WorldWideTelescope/wwt-nginx-core/
+[wwt-user-website]: https://github.com/WorldWideTelescope/wwt-user-website/
+[Zola]: https://www.getzola.org/
+[login6]: https://worldwidetelescope.org/wwtweb/login6.aspx