Fix build issues using pyinstaller

* Add api_version to status api and server_proxy.py

* Add api_version to Zeroconf and filter out incompatible versions when finding available servers

* Filter incompatible versions from the UI

.github/workflows/create-executables.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+name: Create Executables
+            
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+  release:
+    - types: [created]
+
+jobs:
+  pyinstaller-build-windows:
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Create Executables (Windows)
+        uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
+        with:
+          python_ver: '3.11'
+          spec: 'main.spec'
+          requirements: 'requirements.txt'
+          upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'
+  pyinstaller-build-linux:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Create Executables (Linux)
+        uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
+        with:
+          python_ver: '3.11'
+          spec: 'main.spec'
+          requirements: 'requirements.txt'
+          upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'
+  pyinstaller-build-macos:
+    runs-on: macos-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Create Executables (macOS)
+        uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
+        with:
+          python_ver: '3.11'
+          spec: 'main.spec'
+          requirements: 'requirements.txt'
+          upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'

.github/workflows/pyinstaller.yml

@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-name: Create Executable (Windows)
-            
-on:
-  workflow_dispatch:
-  release:
-
-jobs:
-  pyinstaller-build:
-    runs-on: windows-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: Create Executable (Windows)
-        uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
-        with:
-          python_ver: '3.11'
-          spec: 'main.spec'
-          requirements: 'requirements.txt'
-          upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
+![Zordon Screenshot](docs/screenshot.png)
+
+---
+
 # Zordon
 
-A tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFMPEG, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+A lightweight, zero-install, distributed rendering and management tool designed to streamline and optimize rendering workflows across multiple machines
+
+## What is Zordon?
+
+Zordon is tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFMPEG, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+
 
 Notice: This should be considered a beta and is meant for casual / hobbiest use. Do not use in mission critical environments!
 

main.spec

@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
 import os
 import sys
 import platform
-sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
+src_path = os.path.abspath("src")
+sys.path.insert(0, src_path)
 from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 
 datas = [('resources', 'resources'), ('src/engines/blender/scripts/', 'src/engines/blender/scripts')]
 binaries = []
@@ -26,7 +28,7 @@ a = Analysis(
     runtime_hooks=[],
     excludes=[],
     noarchive=False,
-    optimize=0,
+    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
 )
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
 
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
         name=APP_NAME,
         debug=False,
         bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-        strip=False,
+        strip=True,
         upx=True,
         console=False,
         disable_windowed_traceback=False,
@@ -55,7 +57,7 @@ if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
         a.datas,
         strip=True,
         name=f'{APP_NAME}.app',
-        icon=None,
+        icon='resources/Server.png',
         bundle_identifier=None,
         version=APP_VERSION
     )
@@ -87,7 +89,7 @@ elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
         name=APP_NAME,
         debug=False,
         bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-        strip=False,
+        strip=True,
         upx=True,
         console=False,
         disable_windowed_traceback=False,
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ else:  # linux
         name=APP_NAME,
         debug=False,
         bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-        strip=False,
+        strip=True,
         upx=True,
         console=False,
         disable_windowed_traceback=False,

requirements.txt

@@ -36,3 +36,6 @@ lxml>=5.1.0
 click>=8.1.7
 requests_toolbelt>=1.0.0
 pyinstaller_versionfile>=2.1.1
+py-cpuinfo~=9.0.0
+requests-toolbelt~=1.0.0
+ifaddr~=0.2.0

server.py

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-from init import run
+from src.init import run
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     run(server_only=True)

src/api/api_server.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import tempfile
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
 
+import cpuinfo
 import psutil
 import yaml
 from flask import Flask, request, send_file, after_this_request, Response, redirect, url_for
@@ -25,11 +26,13 @@ from src.utilities.config import Config
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_os, current_system_cpu, \
     current_system_os_version, num_to_alphanumeric
 from src.utilities.status_utils import string_to_status
+from src.version import APP_VERSION
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 server = Flask(__name__)
 ssl._create_default_https_context = ssl._create_unverified_context  # disable SSL for downloads
 
+API_VERSION = "1"
 
 def start_server(hostname=None):
 
@@ -50,8 +53,11 @@ def start_server(hostname=None):
     flask_log.setLevel(Config.flask_log_level.upper())
 
     logger.debug('Starting API server')
-    server.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=server.config['PORT'], debug=Config.flask_debug_enable, use_reloader=False,
+    try:
+        server.run(host=hostname, port=server.config['PORT'], debug=Config.flask_debug_enable, use_reloader=False,
                    threaded=True)
+    finally:
+        logger.debug('Stopping API server')
 
 
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -225,6 +231,7 @@ def status():
             "system_os": current_system_os(),
             "system_os_version": current_system_os_version(),
             "system_cpu": current_system_cpu(),
+            "system_cpu_brand": cpuinfo.get_cpu_info()['brand_raw'],
             "cpu_percent": psutil.cpu_percent(percpu=False),
             "cpu_percent_per_cpu": psutil.cpu_percent(percpu=True),
             "cpu_count": psutil.cpu_count(logical=False),
@@ -233,7 +240,9 @@ def status():
             "memory_percent": psutil.virtual_memory().percent,
             "job_counts": RenderQueue.job_counts(),
             "hostname": server.config['HOSTNAME'],
-            "port": server.config['PORT']
+            "port": server.config['PORT'],
+            "app_version": APP_VERSION,
+            "api_version": API_VERSION
             }
 
 

src/api/preview_manager.py

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class PreviewManager:
     _running_jobs = {}
 
     @classmethod
-    def __generate_job_preview_worker(cls, job, replace_existing=False, max_width=320):
+    def __generate_job_preview_worker(cls, job, replace_existing=False, max_width=480):
 
         # Determine best source file to use for thumbs
         job_file_list = job.file_list()

src/api/server_proxy.py

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         self.system_cpu_count = None
         self.system_os = None
         self.system_os_version = None
+        self.system_api_version = None
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Basics / Connection:
@@ -100,8 +101,10 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         return None
 
     def request(self, payload, timeout=5):
+        from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
         hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
-        return requests.get(f'http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/{payload}', timeout=timeout)
+        return requests.get(f'http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/{payload}', timeout=timeout,
+                            headers={"X-API-Version": str(API_VERSION)})
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Background Updates:
@@ -162,6 +165,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
             self.system_cpu_count = status['cpu_count']
             self.system_os = status['system_os']
             self.system_os_version = status['system_os_version']
+            self.system_api_version = status['api_version']
         return status
 
     # --------------------------------------------

src/distributed_job_manager.py

@@ -374,9 +374,11 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         :param system_os: str, Restrict results to servers running a specific OS
         :return: A list of dictionaries with each dict containing hostname and cpu_count of available servers
         """
+        from api.api_server import API_VERSION
         available_servers = []
         for hostname in ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames():
             host_properties = ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(hostname)
+            if host_properties.get('api_version') == API_VERSION:
                 if not system_os or (system_os and system_os == host_properties.get('system_os')):
                     response = RenderServerProxy(hostname).is_engine_available(engine_name)
                     if response and response.get('available', False):

src/engines/blender/blender_worker.py

@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
             cmd.append('-b')
         cmd.append(self.input_path)
 
+        # Set Render Engine
+        blender_engine = self.args.get('engine')
+        if blender_engine:
+            blender_engine = blender_engine.upper()
+            cmd.extend(['-E', blender_engine])
+
         # Start Python expressions - # todo: investigate splitting into separate 'setup' script
         cmd.append('--python-expr')
         python_exp = 'import bpy; bpy.context.scene.render.use_overwrite = False;'
@@ -40,8 +46,7 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         if custom_camera:
             python_exp = python_exp + f"bpy.context.scene.camera = bpy.data.objects['{custom_camera}'];"
 
-        # Set Render Device (gpu/cpu/any)
+        # Set Render Device for Cycles (gpu/cpu/any)
-        blender_engine = self.args.get('engine', 'BLENDER_EEVEE').upper()
         if blender_engine == 'CYCLES':
             render_device = self.args.get('render_device', 'any').lower()
             if render_device not in {'any', 'gpu', 'cpu'}:
@@ -66,7 +71,7 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         # Remove the extension only if it is not composed entirely of digits
         path_without_ext = main_part if not ext[1:].isdigit() else self.output_path
         path_without_ext += "_"
-        cmd.extend(['-E', blender_engine, '-o', path_without_ext, '-F', export_format])
+        cmd.extend(['-o', path_without_ext, '-F', export_format])
 
         # set frame range
         cmd.extend(['-s', self.start_frame, '-e', self.end_frame, '-a'])

src/engines/engine_manager.py

@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
         self.cpu = cpu
 
     def run(self):
+        try:
             existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_downloaded(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu)
             if existing_download:
                 logger.info(f"Requested download of {self.engine} {self.version}, but local copy already exists")
@@ -314,7 +315,9 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
             EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.engine).downloader().download_engine(
                 self.version, download_location=EngineManager.engines_path, system_os=self.system_os, cpu=self.cpu,
                 timeout=300)
-
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error in download worker: {e}")
+        finally:
             # remove itself from the downloader list
             EngineManager.download_tasks.remove(self)
 

src/init.py

@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ import sys
 import threading
 from collections import deque
 
+import cpuinfo
+
+from api.api_server import API_VERSION
 from src.api.api_server import start_server
 from src.api.preview_manager import PreviewManager
 from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
@@ -13,8 +16,10 @@ from src.distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
 from src.utilities.config import Config
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_cpu, current_system_os, current_system_os_version
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import (system_safe_path, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
+                                       current_system_os_version, check_for_updates)
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
+from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
@@ -29,16 +34,43 @@ def run(server_only=False) -> int:
         int: The exit status code.
     """
 
+    def existing_process(process_name):
+        import psutil
+        current_pid = os.getpid()
+        current_process = psutil.Process(current_pid)
+        for proc in psutil.process_iter(['pid', 'name', 'ppid']):
+            proc_name = proc.info['name'].lower().rstrip('.exe')
+            if proc_name == process_name.lower() and proc.info['pid'] != current_pid:
+                if proc.info['pid'] == current_process.ppid():
+                    continue  # parent process
+                elif proc.info['ppid'] == current_pid:
+                    continue  # child process
+                else:
+                    return proc  # unrelated process
+        return None
+
     # setup logging
     logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s: %(levelname)s: %(module)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%d-%b-%y %H:%M:%S',
                         level=Config.server_log_level.upper())
     logging.getLogger("requests").setLevel(logging.WARNING)  # suppress noisy requests/urllib3 logging
     logging.getLogger("urllib3").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
 
+    # check for existing instance
+    existing_proc = existing_process(APP_NAME)
+    if existing_proc:
+        logger.fatal(f"Another instance of {APP_NAME} is already running (pid: {existing_proc.pid})")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
     # Setup logging for console ui
     buffer_handler = __setup_buffer_handler() if not server_only else None
 
-    logger.info(f"Starting Zordon Render Server")
+    # check for updates
+    update_thread = threading.Thread(target=check_for_updates, args=(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME,
+                                                                     APP_VERSION))
+    update_thread.start()
+
+    # main start
+    logger.info(f"Starting {APP_NAME} Render Server")
     return_code = 0
     try:
         # Load Config YAML
@@ -77,13 +109,15 @@ def run(server_only=False) -> int:
         api_server.start()
 
         # start zeroconf server
-        ZeroconfServer.configure("_zordon._tcp.local.", local_hostname, Config.port_number)
+        ZeroconfServer.configure(f"_{APP_NAME.lower()}._tcp.local.", local_hostname, Config.port_number)
         ZeroconfServer.properties = {'system_cpu': current_system_cpu(),
+                                     'system_cpu_brand': cpuinfo.get_cpu_info()['brand_raw'],
                                      'system_cpu_cores': multiprocessing.cpu_count(),
                                      'system_os': current_system_os(),
-                                     'system_os_version': current_system_os_version()}
+                                     'system_os_version': current_system_os_version(),
+                                     'api_version': API_VERSION}
         ZeroconfServer.start()
-        logger.info(f"Zordon Render Server started - Hostname: {local_hostname}")
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server started - Hostname: {local_hostname}")
         RenderQueue.start()  # Start evaluating the render queue
 
         # start in gui or server only (cli) mode
@@ -100,13 +134,13 @@ def run(server_only=False) -> int:
         return_code = 1
     finally:
         # shut down gracefully
-        logger.info(f"Zordon Render Server is preparing to shut down")
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server is preparing to shut down")
         try:
             RenderQueue.prepare_for_shutdown()
         except Exception as e:
             logger.exception(f"Exception during prepare for shutdown: {e}")
         ZeroconfServer.stop()
-        logger.info(f"Zordon Render Server has shut down")
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server has shut down")
         return sys.exit(return_code)
 
 
@@ -146,6 +180,8 @@ def __show_gui(buffer_handler):
 
     # load application
     app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    if app.style().objectName() != 'macos':
+        app.setStyle('Fusion')
 
     # configure main window
     from src.ui.main_window import MainWindow

src/ui/about_window.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QPixmap
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QDialog, QVBoxLayout, QLabel, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout
 
-from version import *
+from src.version import *
 
 
 class AboutDialog(QDialog):

src/ui/main_window.py

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import datetime
 import io
 import logging
 import os
-import subprocess
 import sys
 import threading
 import time
@@ -16,6 +15,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMainWindow, QWidget, QHBoxLayout, QListWidget, QTab
     QTableWidgetItem, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QHeaderView, QMessageBox, QGroupBox, QPushButton, QListWidgetItem, \
     QFileDialog
 
+from api.api_server import API_VERSION
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import get_time_elapsed, resources_dir, is_localhost
 from src.utilities.status_utils import RenderStatus
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ from src.ui.widgets.proportional_image_label import ProportionalImageLabel
 from src.ui.widgets.statusbar import StatusBar
 from src.ui.widgets.toolbar import ToolBar
 from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url, iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring
+from src.version import APP_NAME
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.buffer_handler = None
 
         # Window-Settings
-        self.setWindowTitle("Zordon")
+        self.setWindowTitle(APP_NAME)
         self.setGeometry(100, 100, 900, 800)
         central_widget = QWidget(self)
         self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
@@ -242,7 +243,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
         # Use the get method with defaults to avoid KeyError
         os_info = f"OS: {server_info.get('system_os', 'Unknown')} {server_info.get('system_os_version', '')}"
-        cpu_info = f"CPU: {server_info.get('system_cpu', 'Unknown')} - {server_info.get('system_cpu_cores', 'Unknown')} cores"
+        cpu_info = f"CPU: {server_info.get('system_cpu_brand', 'Unknown')} ({server_info.get('system_cpu_cores', 'Unknown')} cores)"
 
         self.server_info_os.setText(os_info.strip())
         self.server_info_cpu.setText(cpu_info)
@@ -256,7 +257,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.job_list_view.clear()
             self.refresh_job_headers()
 
-        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=clear_table)
+        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=False)
         if job_fetch:
             num_jobs = len(job_fetch)
             self.job_list_view.setRowCount(num_jobs)
@@ -276,10 +277,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                 renderer = f"{job.get('renderer', '')}-{job.get('renderer_version')}"
                 priority = str(job.get('priority', ''))
                 total_frames = str(job.get('total_frames', ''))
+                date_created_string = iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(job['date_created'])
 
                 items = [QTableWidgetItem(job['id']), QTableWidgetItem(name), QTableWidgetItem(renderer),
                          QTableWidgetItem(priority), QTableWidgetItem(display_status), QTableWidgetItem(time_elapsed),
-                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(job['date_created'])]
+                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(date_created_string)]
 
                 for col, item in enumerate(items):
                     self.job_list_view.setItem(row, col, item)
@@ -410,6 +412,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
     def update_servers(self):
         found_servers = list(set(ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames() + self.added_hostnames))
+        found_servers = [x for x in found_servers if ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(x)['api_version'] == API_VERSION]
+
         # Always make sure local hostname is first
         if found_servers and not is_localhost(found_servers[0]):
             for hostname in found_servers:
@@ -591,3 +595,21 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         if file_name:
             self.new_job_window = NewRenderJobForm(file_name)
             self.new_job_window.show()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # lazy load GUI frameworks
+    from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    # load application
+    # QtCore.QCoreApplication.setAttribute(QtCore.Qt.ApplicationAttribute.AA_MacDontSwapCtrlAndMeta)
+    app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
+
+    # configure main main_window
+    main_window = MainWindow()
+    # main_window.buffer_handler = buffer_handler
+    app.setActiveWindow(main_window)
+
+    main_window.show()
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

src/ui/widgets/menubar.py

@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 ''' app/ui/widgets/menubar.py '''
-import sys
-
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QAction
-from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMenuBar, QApplication
+from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMenuBar, QApplication, QMessageBox, QDialog, QVBoxLayout, QLabel, QPushButton
 
 
 class MenuBar(QMenuBar):
@@ -43,6 +41,9 @@ class MenuBar(QMenuBar):
         about_action = QAction("About", self)
         about_action.triggered.connect(self.show_about)
         help_menu.addAction(about_action)
+        update_action = QAction("Check for Updates...", self)
+        update_action.triggered.connect(self.check_for_updates)
+        help_menu.addAction(update_action)
 
     def new_job(self):
         self.parent().new_job()
@@ -55,3 +56,46 @@ class MenuBar(QMenuBar):
         from src.ui.about_window import AboutDialog
         dialog = AboutDialog()
         dialog.exec()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def check_for_updates():
+        from src.utilities.misc_helper import check_for_updates
+        from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
+        found_update = check_for_updates(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME, APP_VERSION)
+        if found_update:
+            dialog = UpdateDialog(found_update, APP_VERSION)
+            dialog.exec()
+        else:
+            QMessageBox.information(None, "No Update", "No updates available.")
+
+
+class UpdateDialog(QDialog):
+    def __init__(self, release_info, current_version, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle(f"Update Available ({current_version} -> {release_info['tag_name']})")
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        label = QLabel(f"A new version ({release_info['tag_name']}) is available! Current version: {current_version}")
+        layout.addWidget(label)
+
+        # Label to show the release notes
+        description = QLabel(release_info["body"])
+        layout.addWidget(description)
+
+        # Button to download the latest version
+        download_button = QPushButton(f"Download Latest Version ({release_info['tag_name']})")
+        download_button.clicked.connect(lambda: self.open_url(release_info["html_url"]))
+        layout.addWidget(download_button)
+
+        # OK button to dismiss the dialog
+        ok_button = QPushButton("Dismiss")
+        ok_button.clicked.connect(self.accept)  # Close the dialog when clicked
+        layout.addWidget(ok_button)
+
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+    def open_url(self, url):
+        from PyQt6.QtCore import QUrl
+        from PyQt6.QtGui import QDesktopServices
+        QDesktopServices.openUrl(QUrl(url))
+        self.accept()

src/utilities/misc_helper.py

@@ -159,6 +159,33 @@ def copy_directory_contents(src_dir, dst_dir):
             shutil.copy2(src_path, dst_path)
 
 
+def check_for_updates(repo_name, repo_owner, app_name, current_version):
+    def get_github_releases(owner, repo):
+        import requests
+        url = f"https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/releases"
+        try:
+            response = requests.get(url, timeout=3)
+            response.raise_for_status()
+            releases = response.json()
+            return releases
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error checking for updates: {e}")
+            return []
+
+    releases = get_github_releases(repo_owner, repo_name)
+    if not releases:
+        return
+
+    latest_version = releases[0]
+    latest_version_tag = latest_version['tag_name']
+
+    from packaging import version
+    if version.parse(latest_version_tag) > version.parse(current_version):
+        logger.info(f"Newer version of {app_name} available. "
+                    f"Latest: {latest_version_tag}, Current: {current_version}")
+        return latest_version
+
+
 def is_localhost(comparison_hostname):
     # this is necessary because socket.gethostname() does not always include '.local' - This is a sanitized comparison
     try:
@@ -183,3 +210,18 @@ def num_to_alphanumeric(num):
         result += characters[remainder]
 
     return result[::-1]  # Reverse the result to get the correct alphanumeric string
+
+
+def iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(iso_date_string):
+    from dateutil import parser
+    import pytz
+
+    # Parse the ISO date string into a datetime object and convert timezones
+    date = parser.isoparse(iso_date_string).astimezone(pytz.UTC)
+    local_timezone = datetime.now().astimezone().tzinfo
+    date_local = date.astimezone(local_timezone)
+
+    # Format the date to the desired readable yet sortable format with 12-hour time
+    formatted_date = date_local.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %I:%M %p')
+
+    return formatted_date

src/utilities/zeroconf_server.py

@@ -32,9 +32,11 @@ class ZeroconfServer:
     def start(cls, listen_only=False):
         if not cls.service_type:
             raise RuntimeError("The 'configure' method must be run before starting the zeroconf server")
-        logger.debug("Starting zeroconf service")
+        elif not listen_only:
-        if not listen_only:
+            logger.debug(f"Starting zeroconf service")
             cls._register_service()
+        else:
+            logger.debug(f"Starting zeroconf service - Listen only mode")
         cls._browse_services()
 
     @classmethod

src/version.py

@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ APP_AUTHOR = "Brett Williams"
 APP_DESCRIPTION = "Distributed Render Farm Tools"
 APP_COPYRIGHT_YEAR = "2024"
 APP_LICENSE = "MIT License"
+APP_REPO_NAME = APP_NAME
+APP_REPO_OWNER = "blw1138"