Vadimrapp1, if Wise is finished you will eventually need to switch to another product, correct? What will you likely choose? It didn't seem like you were really a fan of either InstallShield or InstallAware.
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InstallShield vs Wise vs InstallAware vs ?
I am looking at purchasing an Install package and I am wondering what people prefer and why. I know Wise & InstallShield are the big ones and I am also curious about InstallAware. I am interested in people's experiences with both the software and the availability of support, both from the company and community. The install I am building will be fairly complex one and I would like it to be as easy to maintain as possible. A short learning curve is a plus.
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Answers
I don't know. Currently, from what I see in the developments of installation technology featured in Office 2007, for instance, the technology itself is on decline. I would have to switch if MSI standards evolve to some next level not supported by current Wise. But I'm not sure if they will evolve; maybe the whole thing will be abandoned.
Out of curiosity, I just downloaded a trial of installaware and refreshed my memory. I don't know what is bigger joke, visual studio setup and deployment, or this.
From the existing players, installshield seems like the lesser evil. Actually, I don't see anything wrong with it, only somehow this product probably stimulates bad design, for example installscript project without any real need and any real installscript inside. But I think it's only because many people who are not dedicated packagers are unaware and just click the first choice by default; and somehow the most notorious bad installations are created in Installshield - soon followed by yet another "cleanup utility" to clean up the mess. But I think if you know what you are doing, it's absolutely possible to create good installation in Installshield. As powerful as Wise is, still if you create a vanilla project in Wise and run validation, there will be much more red errors than in Installshield.
Vadimrapp1,
So it sounds like despite it's flaws InstallShield may be the best of what's left. Do you know anything about it's ease of use? I am a hoping to find a tool that does not require a huge learning curve. Creating install packages is a very small part of my job.
Everyone,
Does anyone else have an opinion on this subject? I am not limiting myself to the 3 products in the title, I am open to other suggestions as well.
Mirfster, don't forget that Wise now belongs to Symantec. Enough said. As someone else noted, " as we know, Symantec like to asset strip all the products they buy before they let them slide into oblivion." http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
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by: vadimrapp1Posted on 2008-12-17 at 14:28:21ID: 23198949
I personally prefer Wise because it allows getting as close to the true nature of MSI as you possibly can. Allows some features not found anywhere else, for instance assigning a component to another feature.
But speaking of the future:
Wise is finished.
Installshield has been unstable from day one.
InstallAware was started by former Installshield employees and is actively developed. Still, for my taste, it's too much being "black box", or wizard-based to be considered seriously.