Article:		Easy Access to the Applications Folder from a Disk Image
Subject:		Why not copy it or create a package?
Date:		2005-09-03 04:06:08
From:		kool
Response to: Why not copy it or create a package?
Auto-installing applications should be very careful, as not everyone installs into /Applications e.g. if you don't have privileges there. And how about the test-drive? I don't copy something into my Applications immediately, only after giving it a test-drive when its stlll on the diskimage for example. If there is no need for an installer, do not use it. It's a bit of a black box to people. No idea what is going where. And also, I don't know what scripts it might be running before and/or after installation. One big problem with the Installer is that after it's finished it's not always clear what to do next. The user needs to go find the application in the Finder and double-click it.

Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3.

• Why not copy it or create a package?
  2005-09-05 17:36:10  chris_barker [Reply | View]
  
  
  Installers are something from the Bad Old Days of Classic. If I never see one again its too soon for me. Unfortunately since I'll probably have to buy some more Adobe product I know I'll end up subjected to another installer coded up by some mouth breathing troglodyte.
  
  I'm also a member of the "test drive from Desktop" school. Partly because I've seen some updates to programs that broke features I liked so I dont always want to replace something that I know to be working.
  
  Whereas I feel sorry for the users who are too stupid or lazy to drag A to B, I must say that the article demonstrates a great way of handling this. It gives people the choice of quickly putting something in Applications or not.
  
  Draggable .App bundles are the best thing since sliced cheeze and I wish other OSen had the same concept.

• Why not copy it or create a package?
  2005-09-03 07:00:37  DaleG [Reply | View]
  
  
  That's right, not everyone installs every app into /Applications. I know I don't. Same with a test drive. I do these all from the Desktop while deciding whether to keep them.
  
  But the assumption in this article is that the app will get installed into /Applications, and that you have to make it as simple as possible for less capable users to do this. So your concerns aren't addressed by the article either.
  
  As far as users not knowing where to find the app in the Finder, the installer could either state where it's installed, or offer to start it automatically.
  
  NetNewsWire plugins install themselves by double-clicking, as do Apple Widgets.
• Why not copy it or create a package?
  2005-09-03 12:22:35  kool [Reply | View]
  
  
  In my opinion it would be best if the Installer reveals the application in the Finder after the installation. That way the user also learns where the application is saved.
  
  (for installations into different folders, it should be made possible to select the starting-point-file by the developer which the Installer can then reveal)