[RESOLVED] Looking For Good Installer

[atletico]

Hi Guys,

I just need your help concerning installers.

I need to use one for a vb project with many scripts and multi-installations...Do you have any idea which is the most appropriate installer for this?

I used to use Installshield but i was not very satisfied becasue of lots of limitations and unfriendly use.

Thanks in advanced

PS:This is a very old post but i think that is better to use this than to create a new one for the same topic, and i hope that this won't be a drawback.:)

[baja_yu]

Welcome to the forum.

First, a couple of hints. When you have a question, start your own thread for it, instead of hijacking other threads, and link to a related thread if you need. That's the common/accepted practice here.

For your problem I'd suggested NSIS, it's free and scripted and you can do practically anything with it. If you hit a snag you have an excellent support forum on winamp.com

[atletico]

Thank you Baja yu

Your suggestions well noted for the next time.

The problem concerning installer is that becasue i have already paid for Installshield do you believe that its better to avoid using this and try NSIS or its the same thing?
Becasue i have heard many good things for NSIS but i have not understand why, except that its free off course.

[baja_yu]

I haven't used InstallShield, but NSIS is good as it is scripted, you can write your installer scripts to do pretty much anything, custom screens, behavior etc.

What are some tasks you are hoping to achieve with it?

[Hack]

PS:This is a very old post but i think that is better to use this than to create a new one for the same topicActually creating a new one is preferable...with that in mind, I have split off your posts, and their responses, into its own thread. :)

[dilettante]

There are many advantages to using a tool that creates MSI packages that can be managed via Windows Installer. This also saves frustration for network managers who otherwise need to repackage your application so it can be deployed using "fleet deployment" tools (Group Policy, Windows Deployment Services, etc.).

There are a number of 3rd party tools providing advanced packaging to MSI format, but in most cases the Visual Studio tools are adequate.

[NeedSomeAnswers]

You would also use Wix 3.

It is basically all XML based and gives you much more control than Installshield. There is a bit of a learning curve as first but there are good tutorials out there that can help.

[atletico]

Thank you all, i got your point.

Baja yu, concerning your query, i need to create an installation package which includes executions of scripts and exes (with command line orders), register files (dlls-ocxs), multi-installations (msi into msi), creation of patches and keep version control too.

Anyway, thanks a lot again guys you are very helpful!!

[FunkyDexter]

Back in my VB6 days I used to like Innosetup but that was a long time ago and probably isn't relevant now. For .Net projects I'm with Dilettante - A straightforward installation project has always provided everything I need.