The Windows Installer Service and MSI files are definitely the future of software distribution. Windows logo certifiaction has made sure of that. SETUP.exe is dead, long live MSIEXEC.exe!
Wouldn't it be nice if every app installed in the same way? No more peculiar vendor specific installers. No more guessing silent install command likes. No more AutoIT/sendkeys!
MSI packages are very scripable and customisable in exactly the way vendor's own installers often arn't. For example, the Office 2000 Custom Installation Wizard (Office2k resource kit) lets you easily create an MSI transform to customise your Office2k package. But yes, there are a few things to be aware of when using MSI files and managing the source location is one of them.
To anyone who wants to learn more about Windows Installer I recommend the free e-book "The Definitive Guide to Windows Installer Technology" by Darwin Sanoy and Jeremy Moskowitz (sponsored by Wise Solutions Inc.)
Alex.
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