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ShinobiSoft
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Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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 Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject: ShinobiSoft Setup Wizard |
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Hello all,
I've recently written a small installer for my products, but since I like to
think that I'm a part of the VDS community, I was thinking about offering
it for others to use.
This is a very simple installer. All it does is welcome the user, get the path
for the installation, confirms the install details, shows the install progress,
and then shows a finish page. It only creates folders and copies files.
Setup.exe does NOT write to ini files, the registry, or create shortcuts.
Setup.exe is less than 30kb in size.
If there are some interested parties, make a post here. Depending on the
number of responses that I recieve here, will determine if I release the
installer or not.
Thanks all,
_________________
Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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filip
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Joined: 07 Aug 2004
Posts: 340
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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First, I should note that this installer DOES NOT require VDS. This is a
stand-alone application.
I've attached some screen shots for those who are interested. Couldn't get
a screen shot of the Progress Page though.
This installer is perfect for those of us who have good zip compression
software. For SFX files, if Setup.exe is in the root of the archive, setup.exe
can be automatically run when the user clicks on the SFX icon.
| Description: |
| ShinobiSoft Setup Wizard screen shots |
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Download |
| Filename: |
SSetupWiz.zip |
| Filesize: |
20.81 KB |
| Downloaded: |
2363 Time(s) |
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Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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Garrett
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Joined: 04 Oct 2001
Posts: 2149
Location: A House
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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I keep trying to make my own, then I try making interfaces to others then
back to trying to make my own.... You get the idea. So I'd be interested.
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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I'm considering making a full blown installer, but the problem with that is
final executable size. I want and really need a small compact installer.
Even though I've written the installer in C and compiled with LCC, the
final output is still just under 30Kb, and that's just for the basics. 
I figured with it's small size, that it would be the perfect tool for the VDS
programmers arsenol.
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Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
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filip
Valued Contributor
Joined: 07 Aug 2004
Posts: 340
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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Looks nice
It use progress bar ?
This is the setup for ssmenu.dll i think (i get windows error).
Windows error report for the setup.exe of ssmenu.dll
b22f_appcompat.txt is in XML code ?
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<DATABASE>
<EXE NAME="setup.exe" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_PRIVACY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="setup.exe" SIZE="28704" CHECKSUM="0xB39638B5" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" FILE_DESCRIPTION="File installation utility" COMPANY_NAME="ShinobiSoft" FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" INTERNAL_NAME="setup" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© 2005 ShinobiSoft" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" LINK_DATE="02/13/2005 03:59:24" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/13/2005 03:59:24" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ssmenu.dll" SIZE="54272" CHECKSUM="0xD077B8B9" BIN_FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Visual DialogScript Application Extension" COMPANY_NAME="ShinobiSoft" PRODUCT_NAME="ssmenu.dll" FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ssmenu.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ssmenu" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© 2002 - 2004 ShinobiSoft" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" LINK_DATE="12/06/2004 22:10:59" UPTO_LINK_DATE="12/06/2004 22:10:59" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="SSmenu\setup.exe" SIZE="28704" CHECKSUM="0xB39638B5" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" FILE_DESCRIPTION="File installation utility" COMPANY_NAME="ShinobiSoft" FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" INTERNAL_NAME="setup" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© 2005 ShinobiSoft" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.0" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.0" LINK_DATE="02/13/2005 03:59:24" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/13/2005 03:59:24" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="SSmenu\Samples\ssmenu.dll" SIZE="54272" CHECKSUM="0xD077B8B9" BIN_FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Visual DialogScript Application Extension" COMPANY_NAME="ShinobiSoft" PRODUCT_NAME="ssmenu.dll" FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ssmenu.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ssmenu" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© 2002 - 2004 ShinobiSoft" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="2.0.0.0" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="2.0.0.0" LINK_DATE="12/06/2004 22:10:59" UPTO_LINK_DATE="12/06/2004 22:10:59" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="ntdll.dll" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ntdll.dll" SIZE="708096" CHECKSUM="0x9D20568" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" FILE_DESCRIPTION="NT Layer DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ntdll.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ntdll.dll" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xAF2F7" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" UPTO_LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="kernel32.dll" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="kernel32.dll" SIZE="983552" CHECKSUM="0x4CE79457" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows NT BASE API Client DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="kernel32" INTERNAL_NAME="kernel32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xFF848" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" UPTO_LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
</DATABASE>
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jules
Professional Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2001
Posts: 1043
Location: Cumbria, UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| bweckel wrote: | I'm considering making a full blown installer, but the problem with that is
final executable size. I want and really need a small compact installer. |
I think about making my own setup from time to time too, and dismiss it because it's harder than it seems once you get into it. I'd suggest the following before you do too much work on it:
Take a look at Agentix (www.agentix.org.) It's a full blown installer with about a 46KB overhead.
Otherwise, the Pablo one I recommended a while back (www.pablovandermeer.nl) is worth a look. It generates a .inf file which it runs to do the installation. It's written in VC++ I think, and the source code is available for a donation, which could provide a starting point for your own effort.
An idea that would be interesting for VDS progs is one that is a VDS EXE and makes use of the VDS runtime included in the archive. It could be auto-run by a self extracting archive. If it was available as source code then it would be easy for anyone to customize.
Unfortunately there are many ways for an installer to go wrong out in the field, and users don't tend to get in contact and say "your setup crashed" they just don't bother with your program. Which is why there is also a lot to be said for using a tried and tested one like Inno which has already been mentioned. I have enough trouble with bugs in my own programs without also having to worry about bugs in my installer...
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Jules::
For my larger packages I prefer to use NSIS, which is also a free and
completely customizable installer.
Filip::
Yes it does use a progress bar, etc. but I couldn't' get a screen shot of that
page . I am unclear as to the error in my installer. The report you
posted makes no sense to me. What operating system did you run the
installer on? I might have to change the target environment for the build.
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Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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filip
Valued Contributor
Joined: 07 Aug 2004
Posts: 340
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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XP SP2
Some stuff acts differently when i upgrade my pc with better PSU and newer GPU
Mybe are Windows just dirty
I do a clean install every 2 or 3 mounts
About installers on this site are all they exist
http://www.appdeploy.com/tools/browse.asp
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Serge
Professional Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2002
Posts: 1480
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:36 am Post subject: |
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hi bill,
if it presets the download path and offers to run the application at the end and it does subfolders and it does shortcuts, then i would certainly be interested 
serge
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:05 am Post subject: |
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Hi Serge,
Check out the screen shots 
ShinobiSoft Setup Wizard does everything you ask but shortcuts. I have
already written the code to do this, I just opted not to include it as it
makes my final executable a little larger than I'd like. Of course, to solve
that, it wouldn't hurt me to, and isn't hard to do, I could just build two
final versions, one that does shortcuts and one that doesn't.
I'm really gonna leave this decision those interested. I could also just
release the basic version with out the shortcuts ability and those of you
who'd like a version that does shortcuts could simply email me and me to
build a special version for you. Now that I think about it, there are count-
less possibilities.
Anyway, you all let me know what you'd like. Please bear in mind,
that at this time I'm not into developing a full blown installer. There are
far too many free ones available.
_________________
Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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Serge
Professional Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2002
Posts: 1480
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:33 am Post subject: |
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hi bill,
i already use an installer but really like the idea of having a small exe installation file along with my progrm files that my users can double click to install automatically my program as opposed to doing it by hand - as an option
to clear things - your exe is included with all the program files in a zip file (for example) and when a user double clicks on it, then it installs the program files where they should go? this way folks have a choice of manual installation or automated installation, correct?
the screen shots look good
serge
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:00 am Post subject: |
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| Serge wrote: |
to clear things - your exe is included with all the program files in a zip file (for example) and when a user double clicks on it, then it installs the program files where they should go? this way folks have a choice of manual installation or automated installation, correct?
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You've got the idea. I use PowerArchiver for my zipping, etc. Anyway,
when I convert a .zip file to an SFX (SelF eXtracting executable), I'm
presented with an option of where to unzip the files to when a user double
clicks on the SFX's icon along with another option that will automatically
run an executable, like setup.exe, as soon as the archive has been
extracted into a temporary folder. Yet another option of the SFX file will
allow the files to automatically be extracted to a temporary folder or
will ask the user for a path for the temp files. With all the automation
available, all I needed was a small simple install tool. Hence, I wrote
ShinobiSoft Setup Wizard.
_________________
Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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ShinobiSoft
Professional Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Posts: 790
Location: Knoxville, Tn
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:01 am Post subject: |
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The code that I've written for creating shortcuts does not provide a means
for the end-user to specify a path for the shortcuts. The path for the
shortcuts is predetermined by the software vendor and contained within
the configuration file.
So I guess what I'm getting at is, should I also make
another page for the wizard to allow the end-user to choose the path for
the program shortcuts or leave it the way that it is? Bear in mind that
adding another page to the wizard will also increase the size of the .exe.
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Bill Weckel
ShinobiSoft Software
"The way is known to all, but not all know it." |
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jules
Professional Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2001
Posts: 1043
Location: Cumbria, UK
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:52 am Post subject: |
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| bweckel wrote: | Jules::
For my larger packages I prefer to use NSIS, which is also a free and
completely customizable installer. |
Thanks for the link. That looks interesting. Did this used to be a commercial product? I'm sure I've looked at it before, so it must have been expensive otherwise I would have tried it.
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