Software
Review of: |
| InstallMaker
and InstallBuilder are part of a suite of professional installation tools
developed and sold by Wise Solutions. This software is available at most
local PC stores but almost everyone has probably used this program (without
knowing it) when they have installed some software on their computer. Software
developers use installation packages such as this to package and then install
software applications on an individual's computer. Usually the installation
package will bundle all of your application files into one executable file
or possibly several "package" files. These package files typically have
extensions such as CAB, 001, 002, etc. When the executable file (normally
SETUP.EXE) is run, it will install all of your files from the "package"
file and add the appropriate icons, registry settings and other items need
to allow your application to run on someone else's computer. Microsoft,
InstallShield and Wise Solutions produce the three major installation packages.
I will describe the functionality of InstallMaker and then explain what
functions InstallBuilder adds to the features since the core engine is
the same for both products.
I do some program development work and have been looking for a good installation package. I have downloaded and tried several shareware packages from the Internet and have used a limited version of Microsoft's Setup to distribute MS Access applications so I am familiar with various installation tools. While I found some shortcomings in the Wise tools, it is the easiest that I have worked with and offered a more extensive feature set. Installation was very simple (I would hope an install maker program would be.) and the system comes with a number of examples to show how to build some of the more complex features into your software installation. Starting a new installation is relatively simple and uses a wizard to guide you through the process. If you start with a simple install, the system will prompt you for the setup title and install directory before proceeding to add the files. Once you have moved to the screen to add files, the top half of the screen will give you a file manager view of your directories and files, while the bottom half gives you a similar view of the files you have selected to add. You can specify which files are added to the program directory or other directories. Then you move on to determine what icons should be added to the start button, desktop, etc. and what registry entries if any should be made. You can also setup "billboards" that will be displayed on the screen as the files are installed on the user's computer. Your final options are used to select the distribution method. You can select to make a single executable file that can be put on a CD, emailed or put on a network server, or you may select a "floppy based" install. The floppy install will break the file up into segments (with extensions like 001, 002, etc.) that can be copied to a set of floppies or other device such as Zip Disks. More complex installs allow you to setup "optional" file sets such as example files, that the user can decide if they want to install or not to install. INI files can be created that incorporate dynamic directory paths. Support is included for Visual Basic, FoxPro, DirectX, ODBC, version checking and many other options to be included with your installation. By checking a single box, the installation package could will include and setup one of the options such as DirectX. Visual Basic applications can be imported directly from their project files and will determine which files are needed and what settings to include. If you are repackaging an existing application and are not sure what system DLL and OCX files are needed, a built-in wizard will let you run the application and watch for any of these files that may need to be added to your install package. Network administrators and corporate users may want to use that functionality to do corporate rollouts of some applications. In InstallMaker all of this is functionality drag-and-drop, click the button or menu driven but InstallBuilder adds the ability view and "edit" the script that is created. I use the term edit loosely. The editor has a list of commands in the left-hand panel and the script text on the right. The commands can be drug from the left panel to the right and then the parameters are edited in a dialog box. You can see the script on the right but you cannot edit it as you would in notepad or other text editor. Double clicking on the right will let you edit the parameter in a dialog box. All in all, both packages are very good for someone who develops applications or wants to redistribute applications with custom setups for your Local Area Network. It is easier to use than most of the comparable applications that I have used. Like many applications today it is very short on printed documentation and you must rely on the help files or the web pages. InstallMaker lists for $195 and InstallBuilder for $395 but may be available for order from major software suppliers for slightly less. It probably will not be available off the shelf at CompUSA or other similar stores.
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