Installer suggestions needed
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I have finally had it with Installshield. I've been using Installshield Developer 8.0, which was advertised as including multilingual support. I found out, however, that I have to buy two language packs (at around $500US each) in order to make the multilingual support work and to get the translations for their text. This adds insult to injury, after all the crashes and manual editing of MSI tables I've had to do to fix the bugs in their crap. I need suggestions on alternatives. I'm aware of the VS.NET 2003 support for setup and deployment projects, and of Inno Setup[^]. I know there are other choices out there. I need an install builder that includes the following features:
- Install multiple conventional Windows applications on Windows XP and its successors. I don't need Windows 9x or NT support.
- Install, start, and stop NT services.
- Run an external program as part of the install (for device driver installation).
- Support COM server (both in-proc and local) registration.
- Add the usual sorts of shortcuts to the Start menu.
- Support multilingual installs. Ideally, I'd like to make one install that comes up in the user's language if I've supplied translated text for it, or English if not.
I would appreciate suggestions on other products, shareware, or freeware you know of, plus any comments you'd like to make on your experience with the package. Thanks!
Software Zen:
delete this;I know what you mean. I too need a translated installer. I've been considering using Nullsoft's NSIS. It's a free scriptable installer similar to InnoSetup and it comes with multilingual support. It's not as easy to use as the Visual Studio installer, but I still figured it out within a day. http://nsis.sourceforge.net/[^]
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I have finally had it with Installshield. I've been using Installshield Developer 8.0, which was advertised as including multilingual support. I found out, however, that I have to buy two language packs (at around $500US each) in order to make the multilingual support work and to get the translations for their text. This adds insult to injury, after all the crashes and manual editing of MSI tables I've had to do to fix the bugs in their crap. I need suggestions on alternatives. I'm aware of the VS.NET 2003 support for setup and deployment projects, and of Inno Setup[^]. I know there are other choices out there. I need an install builder that includes the following features:
- Install multiple conventional Windows applications on Windows XP and its successors. I don't need Windows 9x or NT support.
- Install, start, and stop NT services.
- Run an external program as part of the install (for device driver installation).
- Support COM server (both in-proc and local) registration.
- Add the usual sorts of shortcuts to the Start menu.
- Support multilingual installs. Ideally, I'd like to make one install that comes up in the user's language if I've supplied translated text for it, or English if not.
I would appreciate suggestions on other products, shareware, or freeware you know of, plus any comments you'd like to make on your experience with the package. Thanks!
Software Zen:
delete this;I've been very fond of Wise for Windows Installer[^] since I started beta testing it (and Windows Installer) since version 1.0 (of both). It's always allow full access to all MSI database tables (unlike ISFWI which didn't add complete support till around version 3 or 4) and has an intuitive UI. If you know the MSI tables well enough, you can always override anything, but the UI covers most functionality. Windows Installer allows you to do the things you mentioned, is transacted, and supports package, feature, and component registration. Related products can use the same component IDs for the same components (perhaps merged from merge modules). This basically replaces shared DLLs (though you can still keep track of shared DLL references). You can also define many types of custom actions (not that such an action isn't supported by other installer technologies), including entry points into DLLs or calling installed executables or executables sitting on your CD (like third-party driver or application installers when you don't want the actual setup installed).
Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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My company is currently developing an MSI installer similar to InstallShield which will support all of the features you listed. If you're interested in beta testing this product and making your voice heard, you can sign up at http://www.dacris.com/betasignup.aspx[^]. In this beta program, you will be able to provide not only bug reports, but also feature suggestions and suggestions on licensing/pricing. You can find out more about this upcoming product at http://www.dacris.com/actisetup/atlantis.aspx[^]. Personally, I find InstallShield very difficult to learn and use, and unintuitive in its design. Not to mention it's very expensive. Visual Studio .NET is very limited with its deployment projects, and the freeware installers don't have very good support/documentation and do not support MSI. I have a symbiotic relationship with my computer.
I'll take a look at your info. Thanks.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
You saved me from even considering the new version - you made me happy! ;)
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
mlog || Agile Programming | doxygenI didn't even mention that part of the deal. If I want to upgrade to 'Installshield X Premier', which supposedly includes multilingual support out of the box, I can buy it for $1339. That's more than I paid for the original Installshield Developer about 18 months ago. Bastards.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I know what you mean. I too need a translated installer. I've been considering using Nullsoft's NSIS. It's a free scriptable installer similar to InnoSetup and it comes with multilingual support. It's not as easy to use as the Visual Studio installer, but I still figured it out within a day. http://nsis.sourceforge.net/[^]
Thanks for the link; I'll take a look at it.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I've been very fond of Wise for Windows Installer[^] since I started beta testing it (and Windows Installer) since version 1.0 (of both). It's always allow full access to all MSI database tables (unlike ISFWI which didn't add complete support till around version 3 or 4) and has an intuitive UI. If you know the MSI tables well enough, you can always override anything, but the UI covers most functionality. Windows Installer allows you to do the things you mentioned, is transacted, and supports package, feature, and component registration. Related products can use the same component IDs for the same components (perhaps merged from merge modules). This basically replaces shared DLLs (though you can still keep track of shared DLL references). You can also define many types of custom actions (not that such an action isn't supported by other installer technologies), including entry points into DLLs or calling installed executables or executables sitting on your CD (like third-party driver or application installers when you don't want the actual setup installed).
Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
I used Wise InstallBuilder 8.0 on another project 3-4 years ago. I hadn't kept up with them. I'll take a look. Thanks for the reminder.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I used Wise InstallBuilder 8.0 on another project 3-4 years ago. I hadn't kept up with them. I'll take a look. Thanks for the reminder.
Software Zen:
delete this;Note that I'm not talking about their proprietary installer technology, though; I'm referring to the Wise for Windows Installer, their Windows Installer development environment.
Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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I have finally had it with Installshield. I've been using Installshield Developer 8.0, which was advertised as including multilingual support. I found out, however, that I have to buy two language packs (at around $500US each) in order to make the multilingual support work and to get the translations for their text. This adds insult to injury, after all the crashes and manual editing of MSI tables I've had to do to fix the bugs in their crap. I need suggestions on alternatives. I'm aware of the VS.NET 2003 support for setup and deployment projects, and of Inno Setup[^]. I know there are other choices out there. I need an install builder that includes the following features:
- Install multiple conventional Windows applications on Windows XP and its successors. I don't need Windows 9x or NT support.
- Install, start, and stop NT services.
- Run an external program as part of the install (for device driver installation).
- Support COM server (both in-proc and local) registration.
- Add the usual sorts of shortcuts to the Start menu.
- Support multilingual installs. Ideally, I'd like to make one install that comes up in the user's language if I've supplied translated text for it, or English if not.
I would appreciate suggestions on other products, shareware, or freeware you know of, plus any comments you'd like to make on your experience with the package. Thanks!
Software Zen:
delete this;InnoSetup is what we use and definately the best we found! It can be fully scripted, supports multilingual installation packages, 7zip solid compression (amazing!) and everything you need. Plus, the support forum is great and the proggie is free! Give it a shot, its definately worth a try. You will also want to get IsTool, a great front-end to Inno. Carl
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InnoSetup is what we use and definately the best we found! It can be fully scripted, supports multilingual installation packages, 7zip solid compression (amazing!) and everything you need. Plus, the support forum is great and the proggie is free! Give it a shot, its definately worth a try. You will also want to get IsTool, a great front-end to Inno. Carl
Thanks Carl, especially for the IsTool suggestion.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I have finally had it with Installshield. I've been using Installshield Developer 8.0, which was advertised as including multilingual support. I found out, however, that I have to buy two language packs (at around $500US each) in order to make the multilingual support work and to get the translations for their text. This adds insult to injury, after all the crashes and manual editing of MSI tables I've had to do to fix the bugs in their crap. I need suggestions on alternatives. I'm aware of the VS.NET 2003 support for setup and deployment projects, and of Inno Setup[^]. I know there are other choices out there. I need an install builder that includes the following features:
- Install multiple conventional Windows applications on Windows XP and its successors. I don't need Windows 9x or NT support.
- Install, start, and stop NT services.
- Run an external program as part of the install (for device driver installation).
- Support COM server (both in-proc and local) registration.
- Add the usual sorts of shortcuts to the Start menu.
- Support multilingual installs. Ideally, I'd like to make one install that comes up in the user's language if I've supplied translated text for it, or English if not.
I would appreciate suggestions on other products, shareware, or freeware you know of, plus any comments you'd like to make on your experience with the package. Thanks!
Software Zen:
delete this;"Includes multilingual support" LOL! Marketing-ese for: "It will do what you really want it to if you buy more stuff from us." :bob::bob: :-D :bob::bob: evan stone | petaluma, ca, usa