I've been thinking a lot about this lately-- and I'm leaning on the side
of creating next versions of my apps as mostly portable from now on.
Portable apps have the distinguishing feature they are entirely
self-contained in a single folder and can even be stored on USB drives
if the user wishes. They are easy to install and delete and move, as
well as maintain. For more info on portable apps check out:
http://portableapps.com/
Here's my problems with the current system:
Windows
Different user management schemes have one store
prefs/data/substacks/externals/plugins and documents in different areas.
For instance upon installation, IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PREFS (ADMIN), you
can
1) install executable and externals in:
C:\Program Files\MyApp.exe
2) keep preferences, plugins, etc.. in:
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\MyApp\myPrefs.txt (not
to mention the registry)
3) Keep documents in:
C:\Documents and Settings\Chipp\My Documents\MyApp\myDoc.myd
and God help you if you want to update something in the Program Files
directory and you don't have permissions! So, updatable applications
have more trouble, not to mention the problems with uninstalling with
all of the various folders and content strewn about and customer support.
The Mac is not too different as they have similar Applications folder,
User/Library/Prefs folder and a Documents folder.
Current installers can place these apps anywhere (including the Programs
folder) and it appears more and more companies are opting for this type
of installation.
BTW, I do have the licensing figured out so that they aren't
'giveaways', so that's not an issue.
Any thoughts about this before I take the leap?
best,
Chipp
_______________________________________________
use-revolution mailing list
use-revolution@lists.runrev.com
Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription
preferences:
http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-revolution
