Re: Additional info needed about "PackageMaker"
Re: Additional info needed about "PackageMaker"
- Subject: Re: Additional info needed about "PackageMaker"
- From: Scott Anguish <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 04:26:49 -0400
On Tuesday, October 9, 2001, at 06:54 PM, Nicolas Robin wrote:
I wish we could do just drag-and-drop, but unfortunately their
environment
is not as simple.
For example, we need to install some pieces of software, like a driver
in
the "/System/Library/Extensions" folder and an other one in the
"/Library/StartupItems" folder...
Well, the first point could be accomplished quite nicely by keeping
those items within the wrapper of the application, and then upon running
the app simply check if they're in the right place.. if not, put them in
the right place via links, and then you can tell the user..
sort of self repairing.
We also need to do some upgrades where some files will be updated and
some
others won't.
installer is whoa-fully dumb. You'd be better off just releasing a
new version of the app, and have it replace the existing copy (and then
make new links to it's components in the Extensions/StartupItems
directories)
I guess the question now is: Does Apple plan to have a serious and
complete
documentation of "PackageMaker" one day ? Do they want the developers
to use
that tool to make the greatest installers on OSX or do they want to keep
this tool for themselves and let the "outside world" use other tools
like
Aladdin's InstallerMaker or Mindvision's Installer Vise ?
There is no way, shape, or form, that Installer is capable of being
that while it uses the same underpinnings that it does now.
PackageMaker is an irresponsible release on Apple's part, since it
enables users to easily make packages that can hoark up your hard-drive.
I strongly suggest reading the articles on .pkgs and Installer on
Stepwise (www.stepwise.com under Articles).. and suggest that you look
at disk images and drag and drop much more closely.