CoHo Appz World Backup — branding and distribution changes
Revision date: October 5, 2026.
Backup and restore tool for Minecraft worlds.
Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Publisher: CoHo Appz (configurable). The actual support email/contact-page URL still needs to be supplied by the publisher before release.
IIS recovery after republishing (October 5, 2026)
The user reported HTTP 500.34 after the logo update was published. The inspected source ZIP still specifies OutOfProcess, and the logo patch does not alter IIS files or local publish profiles. Without the deployed configuration and hosting-pool details, the exact source of the mismatch is unconfirmed. The logo patch nevertheless left a gap: it did not enforce the working configuration in existing local overrides during republishing.
Added an explicit out-of-process source web.config. The publishing script now supplies AspNetCoreHostingModel=OutOfProcess as a command-line property and checks the actual generated configuration before packaging. Added reusable XML utilities, scripts/Test-IisPublish.ps1, and docs/IIS-50034-FIX.md. The separate recovery patch corrects hosting properties in the existing web project and .pubxml profiles, merges an existing source web.config while preserving startup commands and unrelated settings, or creates one if absent. It also provides a local repair utility for an existing published web.config.
The correction preserves the logo, reconnect behavior, target frameworks, publisher settings, companion download name, and backup/restore code. A shared pool containing another in-process ASP.NET Core app still needs compatible settings or separate pools; source changes cannot alter SmarterASP.NET's pool assignments.
Verification: XML and source checks, preservation and archive checks. This environment has no .NET SDK, PowerShell, or Windows desktop; actual publishing and Windows script execution require local validation.
Supplied CoHo Appz logo (October 5, 2026)
Added the supplied CoHoAppzLogo3D.png unchanged to the website's static images and as an embedded Windows companion resource. The website header and CoHo Appz publisher notice now display the image; the companion displays it beside the World Backup heading. Responsive website sizing and proportional companion scaling keep the image intact. The publisher logo has accessible text. The website's stylesheet URL is updated so browsers request the revised CSS.
Visible headings, navigation links, and companion messages use World Backup or World Backup Companion without repeating the company name already present in the image. Full product metadata and distribution names remain CoHo Appz World Backup. Configured publishers with another name retain their actual publisher text. Real contact links and the Minecraft non-affiliation notice remain visible.
Added docs/LOGO.md and a Visual Studio logo patch with merge checks, binary image payloads, and backups. Rebuild both applications, republish the website with its image, and replace the hosted companion ZIP with the newly published package. The full source includes the earlier IIS and reconnect changes. The logo patch only changes branding and does not apply those earlier patches to an older solution.
Verification: source/asset references, unchanged image hashes, project XML, patch replay/idempotence, preservation checks, and ZIP integrity. C# compilation, the Windows apply script, and live UI/publishing were not run here.
Automatic connection recovery (October 4, 2026)
Replaced the default Blazor reconnection fog with a small status banner and a browser-side recovery loop. It retries an existing circuit, waits while offline or the tab is hidden, and refreshes only after a healthy server response when the old circuit cannot be resumed. A tab-scoped guard prevents rapid automatic refresh loops. Workspace controls become inert during disconnection; the handler never resubmits local file commands. Existing browser pairing information is reused if the relay survives; a server restart still requires new pairing.
Configured matching 60-second connection timeouts and 15-second keep-alive intervals, with a 10-minute disconnected-circuit retention window. Guarded rendering-time JavaScript calls against expected disconnect/cancellation errors. Added docs/RECONNECT.md, dependency-free JavaScript recovery tests, and a separate Visual Studio patch with backups and merge checks. No companion or backup-engine changes are included.
Verification: JavaScript scenario tests and syntax checks passed; source, patch, and archive checks completed. The C# build, PowerShell apply script, and live IIS recovery checks were not run in this creation environment.
IIS publishing fix (October 4, 2026)
The web project explicitly sets <AspNetCoreHostingModel>OutOfProcess</AspNetCoreHostingModel> so republishing from Visual Studio 2022 or the publishing script retains the hosting model used by the working SmarterASP.NET deployment. Previously, the SDK's default could generate an in-process configuration again.
Added docs/IIS-HOSTING.md with the correct handler/ASP.NET Core element placement, normal logging disabled, temporary stdout diagnostics, application-pool restart steps, and checks before uploading. Updated docs/DEPLOYMENT.md to link that guide and cover 500.34, 500.35, and 503. No runtime retargeting or backup/restore changes are included.
The separately distributed CoHo-Appz-World-Backup-IIS-Patch.zip includes an apply script that backs up modified local files, merges the hosting property into the existing web project, updates existing hosting overrides in .pubxml profiles, and corrects an existing source web.config while preserving its process path and arguments. It leaves publisher settings and credentials in place. The patch does not deploy to or restart the live server.
Verification: source ZIP integrity, XML/project references, and preservation of unrelated source bytes. PowerShell execution and .NET compilation were not run in the creation environment; validate a local Release publish using the included guide.
Companion download update
The website now includes Download Windows companion on the home page, before the pairing controls and visible after pairing. The card shows Windows x64 requirements, the ZIP size, and expandable installation/pairing instructions with the current website address.
A fixed /downloads/companion endpoint sends the published ZIP as an attachment and supports byte-range downloads. It reads only the expected companion filename from App_Data/Downloads outside wwwroot. When the ZIP is missing or empty, the home page shows Download not available yet; direct download requests receive a clear 404.
scripts/Publish.ps1 now checks required companion ZIP entries, copies the actual package into the website output, and verifies the copy's SHA-256 hash. Upload the full artifacts/web folder contents, including App_Data/Downloads, to SmarterASP.NET. The web project also includes manually supplied companion ZIPs when publishing through Visual Studio.
This downloadable source archive does not contain a precompiled Windows companion. Build/publish on your Windows development PC to produce the real installer download. No source ZIP or placeholder installer is offered by the website. Deployment and validation instructions now include the download flow.
Name update in this package
The selected name is CoHo Appz World Backup, replacing MCS Save Manager. The website, companion, assembly product/title metadata, installer shortcuts, distribution notices, and documentation now use that name. The secondary description is Backup and restore tool for Minecraft worlds.
The source ZIP and its top-level folder are named CoHo-Appz-World-Backup. Open CoHo-Appz-World-Backup.sln in Visual Studio. The publishing script creates CoHo-Appz-World-Backup-Companion-win-x64.zip for end users. The installer replaces shortcuts from both earlier companion names while preserving a previously enabled startup choice.
The generic folder artwork and non-affiliation notices are retained. The name is independent of Minecraft branding; this is not a trademark clearance or legal approval.
What changed
| Area | Change |
|---|---|
| Product name | The website header, main heading, page title, companion title, tray text, shortcuts, and public documentation use CoHo Appz World Backup. The companion is CoHo Appz World Backup Companion. |
| Minecraft description | Backup and restore tool for Minecraft worlds is secondary descriptive text. Minecraft remains in relevant instructions and folder labels. |
| Windows icon | Removed the Creeper-like icon. Replaced src/Mcs.Companion/mcs.ico with a generic folder and backup arrow in seven icon sizes. |
| Website artwork | Replaced the favicon and header mark with the same generic design. Removed the CSS grass-block illustration and its markup; the hero now displays the folder symbol. Editable SVG and asset notes are included. |
| Non-affiliation notice | Added the prominent notice above to the website home page, the shared publisher notice on routed pages, the companion window, installer output, and documentation. The publish script inserts it into distribution notices and the companion README. |
| Publisher identity | Added a shared PublisherInfo model, a website Publisher configuration section, and a companion publisher.json. CoHo Appz is the editable default. |
| Contact links | The website and companion display a configured support email and/or contact page. No invented address is presented as a working contact. |
| Publishing | Publish.ps1 requires a real support email or HTTPS contact-page URL, validates format, and stamps the same public settings into both distributions. It adds PRODUCT-NOTICE.md and retains the existing license in published outputs. |
| Website download | Added the download card and fixed ZIP endpoint. Publishing places the actual companion package in the website output and verifies its contents and hash. |
| Release configuration | Production website startup and Release companion connection reject incomplete/invalid publisher settings. Development/Debug can run with a visible setup notice. These checks do not prove that a mailbox or contact page works. |
| Installer | New shortcuts use the new product name. The installer requires publisher information, replaces legacy shortcuts, and preserves an existing legacy startup choice. |
| Documentation | Updated setup, publishing, companion instructions, and validation instructions. Added this change log and assets/README.md. |
Required publisher setup
On your Windows development PC, replace the token below with your actual monitored email address:
.\scripts\Publish.ps1 -PublisherName 'CoHo Appz' -SupportEmail 'YOUR_REAL_SUPPORT_EMAIL'Or use your actual HTTPS contact page:
.\scripts\Publish.ps1 -PublisherName 'CoHo Appz' -ContactUrl 'YOUR_REAL_HTTPS_CONTACT_PAGE'Those uppercase tokens are instructions, not working contact details. Both options can be provided. Change the publisher name if CoHo Appz is not correct. Verify that users can reach you using the chosen contact. Chat and forum links are not sufficient for this purpose.
The recommended script writes the public settings into the generated website and companion without changing the source configuration files. For direct Visual Studio publishing, set the corresponding fields in src/Mcs.Web/appsettings.json and src/Mcs.Companion/publisher.json yourself; see docs/DEPLOYMENT.md. Include the same name, contact, and notice on your download page and product listing.
The published companion ZIP is now artifacts/CoHo-Appz-World-Backup-Companion-win-x64.zip. The source ZIP is CoHo-Appz-World-Backup.zip and the solution is CoHo-Appz-World-Backup.sln. Internal project names, the EXE filename, Windows settings/install paths, pairing identifiers, and legacy archive names remain compatible with the prior package.
Functionality and license
The project still targets Visual Studio 2022 / .NET 8. The Blazor website runs on SmarterASP.NET and the Windows companion performs the local Minecraft folder operations. The backup/restore engine and relay behavior were not changed in this revision.
The repository retains its existing LICENSE.txt. This is the project's software license; it does not license Mojang/Microsoft game assets. The source archive does not include Minecraft game binaries, worlds, textures, sounds, or screenshots. The replaced art uses a generic folder and arrow drawn for this project.
Verification and remaining limits
Completed: source/configuration checks, project-reference and asset checks, SVG/ICO inspection, JavaScript syntax check, comparison with the previous source package, and ZIP integrity verification.
Not completed here: C# compilation, the automated .NET checks, PowerShell execution, Windows UI/installer tests, or live SmarterASP.NET deployment. The creation environment has no .NET SDK, PowerShell, or Windows desktop. Run scripts/Validate.ps1 and docs/VALIDATION.md before publishing or using real worlds.
These changes address the artwork, naming, notice, and publisher/contact issues identified in the prior review. They are not legal certification or approval from Mojang/Microsoft. A genuine support contact remains a release requirement. Charges, subscriptions, advertising, new artwork, or redistributed game content need a separate review under the applicable terms.
Official references checked for this revision:
- Minecraft Usage Guidelines: descriptive naming, independent branding, publisher/contact identification, and non-affiliation notices. Sharing with others, including free sharing, falls under the guidelines' commercial-use definition.
- Minecraft EULA: terms relevant to independent tools and distribution of game software/content.
Recheck the current terms when publishing; they may change.