I've posted a release candidate of the PortableApps.com Suite based on the current PortableApps.com Platform 1.1 Release Candidate 2 release. I'm just posting the "Light" version as the Standard one works exactly the same way and it'll be easier for testers. And it's called RC2 just to keep in sync with the platform release (there was no RC1).
Before we start, please make any platform (menu/backup/icons/folders) comments in the PortableApps.com Platform 1.1 Release Candidate 2 topic and not this one. That way we can keep this exclusively for dealing with the Suite installer and any issues around it.
This should be mostly as expected. The installer is complicated, though -- nearly 500 lines -- as it incorporates the installers for all the included apps to handle upgrades from the original Suite or from more recent app installs. It also drops Gaim and installs Pidgin and moves Gaim's settings into Pidgin (if it doesn't already exist).
One last-minute change, too... PNotes was removed. It turns out that somewhere in PNotes' 3.x releases, it lost compatibility with Windows 95, 98 and Me. The current Suite release works on Windows 98 and up out of the box (with the exception of OpenOffice.org which requires a patch). I'd kinda like to keep it that way for this release. We'll be dropping that requirement soon (Firefox 3 goes final in a few weeks and is Windows 2000 and up). If anybody thinks we should just include it anyway... please let me know.
Also, as expected, this includes the Platform 1.1 RC2 release as well as the current releases of AbiWord, ClamWin, CoolPlayer+, Firefox, KeePass, Mines-Perfect, Pidgin, Sudoku, Sumatra, Sunbird and Thunderbird.
Download PortableApps.com Suite Light 1.1 Release Candidate 2.1 (35MB / ~100MB installed)
[Source]
MD5: 347e6c99fb33c2bdfb1c917628c2bb3c
Please test it out and post your feedback.
I'm debating releasing today, but am open to opinions. It feels like it might be a little rushed, but if we get some good testing in, we may be ok.
Thanks,
John
UPDATE: Release Candidate 2.1
- Removed pause from next when enough space on drive
- Added banner when may not be enough space (upgrade) and slow calculation of drive space is required
- Added full Thunderbird 1.5 to 2.0 upgrader
- Changed some strings to better reflect that it's a Suite installer
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seems ok to me on an XP SP3 & Vista SP1 machine with admin rights. Just a couple of points. There ought to be a notice telling you to close all apps running from the drive, and also on clicking install the installer pauses for a while, needs to be a message mentioning why. Apart from that it all seems ok.
No issues with the install on a non-admin account. Programs work fine.
The installer sits for quite a long time after clicking Install before the installation actually starts. I'm sure there's some backend work going on, but some sort of message box or splash screen type thing should display a message explaining that.
Edit: Issue with MinesPerfect. 2 of the menu items under Help don't display. They are still clickable and still perform the proper action, but the text does not display. It looks like the two items are Help and Homepage
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
From the usage of apps from friends of mine, and myself, I think mines perfect, Keepass, Sumuntra, and Sunbird are not needed.
Simplifying daily life through technology
First off, almost everyone needs a PDF reader at some point, and Sumatra PDF is so small. John also mentioned he added Mines-Perfect in another thread 'cause it's small and fun. Many people do use Sunbird, it's great for planning and organization. And John said he added KeePass because a good password manager is sort of a must-have, and I'd agree. Even if people don't use a password manager, they can now, because it's deff. a good idea.
I've just installed the suite, and it installs well from vista ultimate sp1. All the apps included with the suite launch without problem as well.
I'll test this on the guest account when I get home (I'm at work just now). I'll be testing it on XP SP2, maybe SP3 too since I intend to upgrade asap. As far as compatibility goes, maybe an option could be included so users can choose whether they want to install software that's incompatible with windows 9x? I don't know how difficult such an option would be to implement though, just thought it was an idea worth throwing your way. Also, if this option were included, maybe it could be used to automatically install Firefox 2 or 3, dependent on the user's compatibility choice?
Trying on WINE rc1 under Ubuntu 8.04 with all updates.
Installer details:
PortableApps.com Menu details:
Tested as an update over several out-of-date apps and it appears to have worked without issue, except the already mentioned initial pause when you hit the install button.
formerly rayven01
Everything was ok except for Thunderbird. It had the red line et the bottom. Maybe the installer could delete the manifest file which I think is responsible for the red line?
And I didn't find the pause at the beginning being too long. But maybe I have a fast drive as the whole thing only to about 10 minutes.
EDIT
The installer riminds you to close the running menu. It says:
Please close all instances of PortableApps.com Menu and click OK. The portable app can not be upgraded...
You might want to change the "poerable app" part.
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
- Removed pause from next when enough space on drive
- Added banner when may not be enough space (upgrade) and slow calculation of drive space is required
- Added full Thunderbird 1.5 to 2.0 upgrader
- Changed some strings to better reflect that it's a Suite installer
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Newest RC eliminated the delay, upgrades worked fine, new strings are more clear.
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
I've just test rc 2.1 as an upgrade for an existing drive, and it became unresponsive the first time around (not too sure why) but the 2nd attempt upgraded without any problem.
I was also able to do a fresh install without any problems either.
Did a fresh install of RC 2.1 on my Vista SP1 Computer, no problems.