> I like the existing installer. I installed a working version on a
> windows XP computer at my school without being an Administrator.
> I use Power BASIC and it runs without Administrator access.
> What is the advantage to .msi?
Works as well as the above for direct (or local)
install, and has the features to be projected from
Group Policy to many computers in an Active Directory
domain.
Also supports (custom) MST 'template' files so that
an admin can override and control the MSI deployment
without modifying the MSI (i.e., you write an MST to
customize the existing MSI to bypass options, change
options, etc.)
> I can remember the complicated process of installing software on
> windows 2000. The only way you could uninstall some software was to
> uninstall all of windows 2000.
Bad software (installer). MSI also supports Group
Policy REMOVING the software, fixing it if damaged,
"install on first use", (simple) publishing in Add/
Remove programs etc.
> I still have Macsyma and DERIVE
> running on a windows 98 computer and a windows 95 computer. I like
> the power of XP but windows 95 turns on and off in seconds.
MSIs work on Win95 if IE has been upgraded to at least IE 5.0.
(Practically all.)
MSIs provide the extra features to Win2000+ when running
in a domain.
MSIs are the basis of Windows & Microsoft Update as
well as Automatic Updates, and of course GPO installs
in a domain.
Imagine someone with hundreds of university machines
in an AD domain; the MSI makes adding, removing,
repairing, and updating the software almost trivial
from the AD Group Policy.
Anyone with a "bunch" of computers and an AD domain
can benefit, but for those without an AD the MSI
works just like other installers.
> I hope you keep Maxima simple.
Maxima is not simple, but it should be kept simple to
install and as simple as practicable to use.
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
HerbM at LearnQuick.Com http://LearnQuick.Com
512 388 7339 -or- 1 800 MCSE PRO
Accelerated MCSE in a Week Seminars
> -----Original Message-----
> From: maxima-admin at math.utexas.edu
> [mailto:maxima-admin at math.utexas.edu] On Behalf Of Jim FitzSimons
> Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 9:14 AM
> To: maxima at math.utexas.edu
> Subject: RE: [Maxima] Windows installer structure
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: maxima-admin at math.utexas.edu
> [mailto:maxima-admin at math.utexas.edu] On
> Behalf Of Vadim V. Zhytnikov
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 7:39 AM
> To: Herb Martin
> Cc: maxima at math.utexas.edu
> Subject: Re: [Maxima] Windows installer structure
>
> Herb Martin writes:
> >> I worry that Windows Installer packaging is not planned
> >> at least now. Do you know any free tool for making .msi
> >> packages?
> >>
> >
> > The WinInstallLE (light edition) comes with Server for
> > certain (I am unsure but believe it may also be on the
> > XP CDROM).
> >
> > The Visual Studio (of course is not free) has an installer
> > packager.
> >
> > It is my impression that there are others which have
> > working free versions but I have no further information.
> >
> > The key point about MSI is that it allows for mass installs
> > by Active Directory Administrators. (It's pretty good
> > technology too, but not -- to my knowledge Open Source.)
> >
>
> Let me explain may position. Maxima build on Windows
> should no rely on any additional software besides
> Windows itself and packages freely available on the net.
> Anyone having Windows and Internet access should be
> able to build maxima without trouble. At present Windows
> Maxima build requires:
>
> 1. msys, mingw and some msys packages as compiler/linker
> 2. starkit as tcl/tk wrapper
> 3. gnuplot
>
> Thus Visual Studio based solution will not do as the only solution.
> We can't require extra software which costs hundreds of dollars
> just to build Maxima on Windows. WiX is probably OK.
> It is free, it doesn't require any additional software.
> Votive (WiX's user-fiendly project designer)
> is Visual Studio plug-in but the project it
> produces can be processed by freely available WiX.
> But honestly now I'm not ready to switch to WiX
> completely. For forthcoming Maxima 5.9.4 I plan to provide
> traditional Inno Setup installers. If anyone volunteer
> to make any kind of .msi packagin as alternative
> this will be great.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Vadim
>
>
> --
> Vadim V. Zhytnikov
>
> <vvzhy at mail.ru>
> <vvzhy at netorn.ru>
>
>
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