MSI package

[Maex]

Hi People

Is there a .msi package form XnView?
On the WebSite is only a .exe and a zip file to download..but
i especially need a MSI package.. (form a newer version)

Thanks for help
Greez
Mäx

[Drahken]

Why MSI? The exe is an installer, just like MSI.
There currently is no MSI version available. The exe version is a self-installer, just like MSI. The zip version you simply extract to whereve you want it.

[XnTriq]

• Wikipedia: Windows Installer
• Microsoft TechNet: Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Installer
• Macrovision InstallShield: MSI 101: Why MSI?

Application life-cycle tasks supported by Windows Installer:

1. Implementation
   • Repackaging or transformation
   • Merge modules
   • Distribution (Microsoft IntelliMirror® or enterprise software distribution mechanism)
   • Installation with higher privileges
   • Component (redirection)
   • Rollback support
2. Maintenance
   • Auto-repair
   • Service packs
   • Patches and hot fixes
   • Upgrades
3. Retirement
   • Uninstallation

The key features of Windows Installer are as follows:

• Management of shared files via components
• Self-repair of components
• Clean Install/Uninstall
• Full roll-back support for failed installations
• Advertisement of applications via Active Directory
• Installation on locked down systems via Elevated Privleges

Additionally, most large corporations – the customers you really want to have – will not even consider applications that are not available with an MSI installer, no matter how good the application is. Large corporations need to have an unattended way to silently install, maintain, and uninstall packages onto their thousands of networked systems. With an MSI package, they can use Microsoft's built in Group Policy settings to deploy your product onto all of their machines, instantly, using Active Directory Deployment. Having an MSI based setup guarantees you aren't losing any large prospects just because your installer is custom-made.

Note: I am not promoting anything here. I prefer the ZIP package, as I generally try to avoid installers – be it MSI-based ones or any other type – wherever possible.

[Drahken]

To each their own, I guess. Personally, MSI packages are my absolute last choice. ZIP files are my first choice since they put the control in my hands, and don't install any extra crap in unknown locations. Standard EXE installers are second choice if not ZIP file is available. MSI packages are a last resort at best.
Of course, another flaw with MSI is that it only works for windows packages.

[Danny]

If companies want to have .msi files, then they should only be able to get them after they've registered XNView obviously.

[Drahken]

Heh, that's a good point. I forgot that companies aren't supposed to be using xnview for free. Pierre could make MSI packages, but only make them available to companies who have registered xnview.

[xnview]

Hi People

Is there a .msi package form XnView?
On the WebSite is only a .exe and a zip file to download..but
i especially need a MSI package.. (form a newer version)

The current setup is not good for you?

[helmut]

For all I know for companies it's easier to distribute software as msi package than a normal setup executable. I'm not sure how much effort it is to create an msi package but I think that there's interest for it.

[emagin]

You might find this site useful for MSI and similar installs for XnView
http://www.appdeploy.com/packages/detail.asp?id=370