"Shrink-Wrap" - FilePro Application - Distributions

[Nancy Palmquist]

Keith F Weatherhead wrote:

I guess I picked up the thread at the bottom and now have found the
origin.  I apologize for that.

I distribute, a medical billing package that is close to shrink-wrap.  I
have the exact same application distributed on Windows, Unix, and
Linux.  In some things, it required compromise since I insisted that a
feature be available on all platforms, so it was not reasonable to
provide things like, built in backup, or attachments to software that
are not available on all platforms, such as faxes.  I did not want to
try to work out those kinks.

> 
> Greetings,
> 
> Is anyone attempting or successfully doing "shrink-wrap" application
> distributions with/of a Windows filePro application?
> 
> Have you been successful in generating a user-friendly installation
> procedure that would work on a par with something like MS-Office or
> some other standard Windows application?

I had to make two types of installs, a Windows install which I designed
with Setup Factory that works like the more expensive InstallShield
versions.

> 
> - How did you handle the different OSes/env configurations, etc.?

Not sure what you mean, but I set basic enviroment in the start up
script that on Windows or *inx can be written easily from filePro or
shell programming.

> 
> - Did you provide a Start Menu Folder and Screen Icons for your
> application or just a simple batch file?

I provided desktop icons and Start Menu entries on windows installations
with creation of Registry entries and .ini files to track installation
parameters and history.

> 
> - Did you provide an uninstall option?

Yes on windows I did.  I had it uninstall the runtime, but left the
data.  I did not want any accidents.

> 
> - How did you deal with Windows Printing setup/configuration/issues?

You can list hardware requirements and tune your software to the most
obvious.  This might require some support, but has not been a big issue.


> 
> - How did you -or- have you provided a method for doing updates,
> either for the FP engine or your application?

Designed install procedure to add if not found and update if found.  Has
worked for years.  Be glad to detail if you would like.

> 
> - Did you use a "home grown", a shareware, or commercial product
> installer like InstallShield?

See above.

> 
> - What issues have you had to overcome, other than those listed above?

It has worked well.  I even created a demo installation that would
install a limited runtime, sample data and allow the user to play with
the software.  

This type of project requires about 10 times more development time than
just a custom package.  I would suggest building to your biggest
audience platform first, windows or unix.  And work from there to add
the others.

Also, I prefer to develop on Unix, so it is required that I keep
versions of the application in sync, a windows and a unix verison.  This
is tricky but doable.

Whenever I make a big upgrade step, I transfer the unix version back to
windows to insure they are equal and go again.  I only move processes
and screens back and forth in the mean time.


Be glad to talk to you about this stuff if you want.

> 
> TIA, or any comments regarding the above.
> 


-- 
Nancy Palmquist 
Virtual Software Systems
PHONE: (412) 835-9417			Web site:  http://www.vss3.com