Thursday, 16 December 2004

Check the default install

If you are making an installer for an application, check the default install on all of the OS's that you support. I was trying to install an app and it asked to put the files in my home directory which on Windows 2k is something like "C:\Documents and Settings\jim". Then from there I run the install file which opens a window and gives me choices. I click on the main choice and nothing happens. I wait for a bit. Nothing happens. I try again and still nothing.

Then I moved the file into a subdirectory of root and it worked. My guess is that because there was a space in the path the installer crapped out, but that is where the app asked to be put!!! So, at the very least assume that your users (at least some) will just click next next next... on the installer. Check that path. When that works, expand to give them more choices.

1 comment:

  1. Installers are often underestimated: you can lose a lot of customers/users with a bad or inflexible installer. No one wants to figure out how to work around a problem, they'll just try your competitor instead.

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