Installer design and backdrops

[Richard Gaskin]

Frank D. Engel, Jr. wrote:
> It's typically better to use the installation solution provided by the 
> OS when one is available -- user familiarity and so forth...

Agreed in general, but on OS X we see a fairly even mix of installers 
using Apple's and using a few third party ones as well, and as you note 
MS' installer fails to grab a lot of people, leaving InstallShield and 
WiseInstall solidly in the #1 and #2 spots respectively.  Since an 
installer is used exactly once per product any deviance from UI norms 
will have minimal impact, and such norms are minor and loosely followed 
anyway.

For myself, my needs are modest but varied, and must be not only 
automatable but sometimes also able to be built by my clients as well as 
here.  It's simpler for me to just make it myself than continue with the 
hodge-podge of third-party stuff I've been working with over the years.

Thanks to all for the notes on the backdrop.  I'm quite happy to dump 
that; good to get the unanimous validation.

-- 
  Richard Gaskin
  Fourth World Media Corporation
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  Ambassador at FourthWorld.com       http://www.FourthWorld.com