Proper Location for Linux Builds

Fri May 1 10:24:10 EDT 2009

Peter,

I have tried InstallJammer.  The end result is an installer that looks
exactly like a "Windows" styled install Wizard.  It does work, but it's
kinda ugly and a little bit more difficult to tweak.

In the end I would prefer some sort of Installer for Linux, but it
apparent now that it would be more cost-effective for me to skip the
installer on windows and just gzip the program folder.

Thus far I have been doing most of my testing using VirtualBox (free and
just as good as Parallels), but I have just acquired a laptop that I can
install another flavor of Linux on for Testing.

Thanks again for all of your advice.  You've given me a lot of items to
think about, and I will take into consideration while developing the
Linux version of my programs.

Derek Bump
Dreamscape Software
http://www.dreamscapesoftware.com

___________________________________________________________________
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Peter Alcibiades wrote:
> There is a Linux installer on the lines of the usual ones for Windows.  Its
> installjammer.  
> 
> http://installjammer.com/
> 
> Seems to be still under active development.  I've never used it.  It claims
> to be cross platform in addition.
> 
> Yes, I would distribute in a compressed file with a readme, and most people
> will probably be installing in single user mode - if they are not, they will
> know what to do.  So the readme would just tell them to copy the folder to
> their home folder and create a launcher on the desktop, or in the task bar,
> to the executable.  
> 
> It should probably warn them to check permissions and make sure its
> executable.  I downloaded Installjammer, for example, when posting this, and
> it was not marked executable.  Most (all?) emailed files seem to arrive
> marked read only - you have to explain to new Linux users that the system
> thinks its protecting them from files people send them, and that they have
> to either save a copy and work on that, or else change permissions.
> 
> If your program creates data files, ask the user to pick where he/she wants
> them to go, on first run.  Or just put them in the user home folder.  The
> usual place for a preference file if you have one, is in the user home
> folder, preceded by a dot to make it invisible, as in '.dreamscape'.  If
> they do put the program in /opt, you should not put the data files in the
> program folder.  No user account will have write privileges there.  Always
> put them in the user home folder as a default.  And of course the
> preferences can't go in /opt since they vary from user to user.
> 
> If you use revPrintField, check that it works as you expect.  In fact, 
> check all printing and font use thoroughly.  What sometimes happens is that
> label text can not fit exactly the same in fields from one distribution to
> another.  Its a good idea to leave more space than you think the text needs. 
> Its also a good idea to restrict yourself to fonts that you know will be
> available, or include them.  If you look at the font selection that ships
> with Debian or Fedora, you can be sure of always having them.  But you can't
> be sure of having the MS fonts, though people can get them. 
> 
> Also, remember that if it is widely distributed, you are sending it to a
> hugely variable population.  Ubuntu is not the only fruit.  And not only
> will they be running different distributions, they may be using different
> desktop environments within that.  Gnome is not the only desktop.  So before
> distributing at all widely,  have a machine with multiple boot installations
> of at least Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora and some Slackware
> derivative like Zenwalk.  Then within this make sure everything displays as
> expected on KDE 3.5, KDE 4.2, Gnome, and Xfce (which is the default on
> Zenwalk).  Mandriva One KDE is now shipping with KDE 4, so that's an easy
> way of testing that.  You will pick up Gnome with both Ubuntu and a default
> Debian install, and with Fedora, and Debian Lenny is still running KDE 3.5,
> so that's an easy way of testing that.   KDE 4 is significantly different
> from KDE 3.  They may also be running stuff like Fluxbox or similar, but if
> so, they will know what they are doing and you need not worry about that. 
> But ordinary users may be on either of the KDE flavors or Gnome.
> 
> People on the list seem to be very happy doing their testing on Parallels. 
> I'm no pro developer, but I would not.  I'd always boot in native mode to
> test a package for distribution.  Color me paranoid!
> 
> Peter
> 
> 
> 
> Derek Bump - Dreamscape Software wrote:
>>
>> .....So I guess the next question is what is the best method for
>> distribution?  Should I package my program into a custom made
>> wizard-style installer?  Or should I just gzip my program's folder and
>> let the user put the programs folder where they want?
>>
>> I'm fine with both methods, but I'm trying to find the method that works
>> best for each System.  On Windows, I have a Setup Wizard that creates
>> the Shortcuts, Uninstaller and places the program in the proper
>> location.  On the Mac, the user "drags" the program the Applications
>> folder.
>>
>> What method for Revolution Standalones is be best for Linux?
>>
>>
> 