Downloading every patch/update and applying them is a pain in the butt. Can't you guys make an easy-to-go update service or something related?

i agree, the current process is backward and decades out of date. At some point patches need to be bundled and auto-instal features need to be added

Honestly, I would NEVER trust an auto-install for patches. Just imagine that for a moment, and you will probably see the risk in just running a script to patch your site. I'd be horrified at the prospect of cleaning up after a script gone bad for some reason, like files out of place, different directory structures, etc.
 
I don't like applying patches manually, but with good configuration management, at least you know what you've done to your site.
 
Ed

with proper backups and tested instalation scripts auto updating has been around for 20+ years, we used it on the big (HP3000) boxes back in the dark ages. Backups, recovery, and the simple things like checking for free disc space were built into the process.
 
The lack of trust is due to too many places putting out releases without proper testing.

Agree... The auto/online update function is not state of the art nowdays. Many systems use this, even if have 3rd party scripts, like Wordpress have. The full backup script is in the admin of the hosted Viart pack, so would be easily integrated into the Viart shop.
 
I think, the main problem would be, that viart have not got a good versioning system. This is a must have to make the updates, and patches compatibility to avoid failed updates.
 
I've used tens of patches in the last 1 year... Now we are going to starting the 3rd shop (in multisite), and I'll have some headache, when I'll need to apply patches, and updates manually in this shops... I dont want to think, what will be, when we have 5 or so webshops... :(