site_archiver@lists.apple.com Delivered-To: installer-dev@lists.apple.com On Feb 13, 2007, at 12:01 PM, Luke Bellandi wrote: That is why I went to an Installer. John _______________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored. Installer-dev mailing list (Installer-dev@lists.apple.com) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/installer-dev/site_archiver%40lists.a... Actually, it depends. Apple's recommendations for package distribution are not that cut and dry. The sort of distribution mechanism you should be using depends on three things: [1] the complexity of the install you're performing [2] your desire to present the user with addition information or plugins during the installation [3] the computer-savvy level you expect of your customers So for non-complex projects (e.g., a self-contained application), where you don't need or want to display a read-me, license agreement (yes, that functionality is available in disk images as well), summary panel, or use installer plugins, and where you expect users will have a good understanding of how to use the file system, then a drag and drop installer is an appropriate avenue to consider. For other situations, you may need/prefer to use an installer package, if only to hold users' hands through the installation process. Installation is an intimidating process for a lot of novice users. Using the Installer as opposed to asking them to drag and drop an icon can be somewhat reassuring. But I still don't fully understand the PackageMaker installer. My first installer worked great. But, I was using it incorrectly by installing into /Applications with No Authorization. It seems like the only correct option is to authenticate as administrator and install applications as root. My application doesn't need that and a halfway savvy user would know that and wonder why it is asking for administrator rights - as well they should. It would be nice to have a drag-n-drop-type installer that doesn't need administrator rights but can install into /Applications. I have an installer for Privoxy that definitely needs PackageMaker. It should authenticate and run/install as root. My dilemma is a simple installer for those intimidated novice users. If they don't have rights to install in /Applications, it will tell them. If they do have rights, it should install as easy as dragging-n-dropping. The files it creates should be owned by the user installing, whomever they might be and whatever their uid might be. Perhaps when I get time I might try to create that with my "incorrect" no authenticate installer and better scripts. This email sent to site_archiver@lists.apple.com