Peter, I have tried InstallJammer. The end result is an installer that looks exactly like a "Windows" styled install Wizard. It does work, but it's kinda ugly and a little bit more difficult to tweak.
In the end I would prefer some sort of Installer for Linux, but it apparent now that it would be more cost-effective for me to skip the installer on windows and just gzip the program folder. Thus far I have been doing most of my testing using VirtualBox (free and just as good as Parallels), but I have just acquired a laptop that I can install another flavor of Linux on for Testing. Thanks again for all of your advice. You've given me a lot of items to think about, and I will take into consideration while developing the Linux version of my programs. Derek Bump Dreamscape Software http://www.dreamscapesoftware.com ___________________________________________________________________ Compress your photos quickly and easily with JPEGCompress 2.9! http://www.dreamscapesoftware.com/products/jpegcompress/ Peter Alcibiades wrote: > There is a Linux installer on the lines of the usual ones for Windows. Its > installjammer. > > http://installjammer.com/ > > Seems to be still under active development. I've never used it. It claims > to be cross platform in addition. > > Yes, I would distribute in a compressed file with a readme, and most people > will probably be installing in single user mode - if they are not, they will > know what to do. So the readme would just tell them to copy the folder to > their home folder and create a launcher on the desktop, or in the task bar, > to the executable. > > It should probably warn them to check permissions and make sure its > executable. I downloaded Installjammer, for example, when posting this, and > it was not marked executable. Most (all?) emailed files seem to arrive > marked read only - you have to explain to new Linux users that the system > thinks its protecting them from files people send them, and that they have > to either save a copy and work on that, or else change permissions. > > If your program creates data files, ask the user to pick where he/she wants > them to go, on first run. Or just put them in the user home folder. The > usual place for a preference file if you have one, is in the user home > folder, preceded by a dot to make it invisible, as in '.dreamscape'. If > they do put the program in /opt, you should not put the data files in the > program folder. No user account will have write privileges there. Always > put them in the user home folder as a default. And of course the > preferences can't go in /opt since they vary from user to user. > > If you use revPrintField, check that it works as you expect. In fact, > check all printing and font use thoroughly. What sometimes happens is that > label text can not fit exactly the same in fields from one distribution to > another. Its a good idea to leave more space than you think the text needs. > Its also a good idea to restrict yourself to fonts that you know will be > available, or include them. If you look at the font selection that ships > with Debian or Fedora, you can be sure of always having them. But you can't > be sure of having the MS fonts, though people can get them. > > Also, remember that if it is widely distributed, you are sending it to a > hugely variable population. Ubuntu is not the only fruit. And not only > will they be running different distributions, they may be using different > desktop environments within that. Gnome is not the only desktop. So before > distributing at all widely, have a machine with multiple boot installations > of at least Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora and some Slackware > derivative like Zenwalk. Then within this make sure everything displays as > expected on KDE 3.5, KDE 4.2, Gnome, and Xfce (which is the default on > Zenwalk). Mandriva One KDE is now shipping with KDE 4, so that's an easy > way of testing that. You will pick up Gnome with both Ubuntu and a default > Debian install, and with Fedora, and Debian Lenny is still running KDE 3.5, > so that's an easy way of testing that. KDE 4 is significantly different > from KDE 3. They may also be running stuff like Fluxbox or similar, but if > so, they will know what they are doing and you need not worry about that. > But ordinary users may be on either of the KDE flavors or Gnome. > > People on the list seem to be very happy doing their testing on Parallels. > I'm no pro developer, but I would not. I'd always boot in native mode to > test a package for distribution. Color me paranoid! > > Peter > > > > Derek Bump - Dreamscape Software wrote: >> >> .....So I guess the next question is what is the best method for >> distribution? Should I package my program into a custom made >> wizard-style installer? Or should I just gzip my program's folder and >> let the user put the programs folder where they want? >> >> I'm fine with both methods, but I'm trying to find the method that works >> best for each System. On Windows, I have a Setup Wizard that creates >> the Shortcuts, Uninstaller and places the program in the proper >> location. On the Mac, the user "drags" the program the Applications >> folder. >> >> What method for Revolution Standalones is be best for Linux? >> >> > _______________________________________________ use-revolution mailing list use-revolution@lists.runrev.com Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences: http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-revolution
