I need to apologize because I did not realize I was emailing a list.
To answer some of the questions. Imaging is a good idea in the right situation for rapid deployment.(on a roll out of a new OS) or (50+ refreshes in a single night) or (to have someone back up and working with a fresh load in less than an hour) Imaging is a good idea if you setup the image to be really generic and initiate the hardware detection once the image comes up. One thing to remember about imaging is that you are putting down an actual "image" of a drive or partition and that can be in whatever configuration you want, you don't just have to image a completely installed system. Why packaging is a good idea. Well let's put it like this, in your own confession packaging is hard to do unless you know it really well. I agree. I also know from repackaging many , many applications that often vendors don't employee Good packagers. Most only have experience packaging the one or two apps that they sell. Also their target is generally anything from win95 to WXPsp2. Which means they have to include a plethora of components and checks and will automatically install these things such as DAO, MDAC, etc... on your nice clean new install. This can be detrimental especially if you manage these components and have other apps that require a certain version. As a once professional packager I focus on making apps work on 1 or 2 at the most OSs. Plus I can dis-include (is that a word?) all the components I manage elsewhere/otherwise. Having scrun.dll registered in c:\program files\some app dir can play havoc with other apps, scripts, and stuff. CONTROL - is important when you support 700+ applications. Did I answer your questions? ::EvanJHoush:: -----Original Message----- From: Brad Erdman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 10:46 AM To: Michael Kahle; Unattended List; Housh, Evan Subject: RE: [Unattended] Comments and Criticism > I think you might be misunderstanding the OP. He is simply taking > exception to some of the assertions that are made by the unattended > project page about disk imaging and re-packaging. I personally am > interested in this topic > and > would not want to shoo Evan away for simply bringing up some points. > > Unfortunately Evan (OP) adds little to the discussion in terms of giving > suggestions when imaging might be a good idea or under what circumstances > "Software Repackaging" might be a good idea. The only argument he has > given to us is to trust his "experience" on the matter. So, what say > you Evan? > Can we get some more concrete examples on: Why Imaging is a good idea? or > Why Software Repackaging is a good idea? > > I have a few software packages here at my company that I would much rather > re-package with msi than use some of the AutoIT scripts that I have > hacking things together. > > This is a good discussion. > > Michael I think I tend to agree with you on this. MSI packages can be very powerful, and when combined with a group policy for deploying software, very effective. However, I tried to go down the repackaging road and fond it to be very time consuming. Unless you are trained as a re-packager, the learning curve, in my experience, was a little too steep for the average sys-admin. I didn't have the time to lean about the all the intricacies of MSI packaging. I did repackage a number of pieces of software, but only after a good bit of effort. Brad ----------------------------------------- Anadarko Confidentiality Notice: This electronic transmission and any attached documents or other writings are intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify sender by return e-mail and destroy the communication. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication or any attachments by anyone other than the named recipient is strictly prohibited. ------------------------------------------------------- SF email is sponsored by - The IT Product Guide Read honest & candid reviews on hundreds of IT Products from real users. Discover which products truly live up to the hype. Start reading now. http://ads.osdn.com/?ad_ide95&alloc_id396&op=click _______________________________________________ unattended-info mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/unattended-info
