Re: [tdf-discuss] Re: A better idea for a download package.

----- Original Message ----

> From: Mark Preston <mark@mpreston.demon.co.uk>
> To: discuss@documentfoundation.org
> Sent: Fri, December 3, 2010 12:18:16 PM
> Subject: Re: [tdf-discuss] Re: A better idea for a download package.
>
> I see several issues in the discussion about installers - and I only
> just  joined the list! Let's list 'em...
>
> 1. You are assuming everyone will be  running Linux. They won't.
> 2. You assume they all have a packaged Linux  distro. They won't.

Only the latest discussion has focused around Linux. It hasn't been the only OS 
discussed or assumed.

> 3. You presume they can all grab tar's themselves. They  can't.
> 4. You assume they will all download the package. They  won't.

That should always be an option, regardless of whether people avail themselves 
of it.
 
> Installers are needed because (1) you can adapt an installer to  manage
> installation on all the systems people *will* be using, such  as
> Windows XP, Vista, Win7 and - for some - either 32-bit or  64-bit
> versions; Linux using Debian-based or other installers and (2)  those
> who have no standard installer system included; Android users and  even
> Apple users (3) who want something that installs like an app  does;
> even, despite the undoubted acrimony, Solaris users.
> Finally  (4), there will be those users who buy a preconfigured or even
> standard  virtualised system from a supplier and want both the supplier
> provided system  and the discs to fix any problems - and for that you
> want a packaged product  with installer and repair system to put on disc.
> While an installer may  not be the top priority, it is undoubtedly a
> very important feature that  needs to be present to reach the widest
> number of  users.

An Installer only helps on Windows.

Solaris has a packaging system; nearly all Unixes have a packaging system.
Linux Distros have their own packaging systems.

Fortunately, TDF/LO can focus on providing 3 Linux packages: debian, rpm, 
slackware, source tarball
Nearly every Linux distro will provide its own package according to its own 
packaging system; but those above will meet everyone else.

Most non-Developer Linux Users only install what is in or is compatible with the 
packaging system their distro uses.

Mac also has a packaging system which is pretty much a zip file with all the 
relevant files contained therein. (Not really, that's just a good simplified 
description.)
All Mac targeted software is installed that way - the exception likely being the 
OS and its relations (e.g. drivers). That is simply the Mac-way and Mac users 
will expect that.

iOS and Android are not being targetted (from what I can tell) and  LO/OOo would 
be far too big for them right now any how. They also each  have a standard 
method of installation - the AppStore and Android  MarketPlace. So again, no 
separate installer is necessary there.

So, really the _only_ platform an installer is really necessary on is Windows, 
which is the _only_ platform without a standard packaging system or installation 
method.
Yes, Windows has the Microsoft Windows Installer System (MSI files), but it's 
still never had a standard installation method.

Ben


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