PortableApps.com Installer 1.0.1 Released

John T. Haller's picture
Submitted by John T. Haller on December 7, 2009 - 12:41am

logoPortableApps.com Installer 1.0.1 has been released. The PortableApps.com Installer is an easy-to-use tool that packages portable apps that are laid out in PortableApps.com Format into an installer without having to write or compile any code. This release has an updated Macedonian translation, fixes some bugs in Ukrainian, improves file preserve/remove and has an improved download extractor. The PortableApps.com Format has not changed and no changes need to be made to existing PortableApps.com Format apps with this release. The PortableApps.com Installer is available for all developers to use and can be used freely with free open source and freeware applications provided the application follows the current PortableApps.com Format Specification. Commercial use is available by contacting PortableApps.com.

Read on for more details...

PortableApps.com Installer Features

Installer ScreenshotThe PortableApps.com Installer allows you to easily package your portable apps. It features:

  • Proven NSIS installer core
  • Excellent compression for distribution
  • Easy configuration with no coding required
  • Multilingual with 58 Languages
  • Optional sections
  • Automatic integration with the PortableApps.com Platform
  • Works from command line and Send To (just pass the portable app's main directory, e.g. X:\PortableApps\FileZillaPortable)
  • Interactive mode to assist with missing entries
  • Licensed for use with free open source and freeware
  • Commercial use by contacting PortableApps.com

What's New in the Installer?

This release fixes bugs with localization and has a new Macedonian translation. The download extractor has been improved for better compatibility with a wider array of software.

This update of the PortableApps.com Installer allows software publishers to package their apps using our popular tools. Open source projects and freeware publishers can use our installer (and all source is included and licensed under the GPL) and release their own PAF files. A special exception to the GPL is granted for all no-cost software. Commercial publishers can contact us for permission.

Get Help Packaging for PortableApps.com

If you need help packaging your software in PortableApps.com Format or using the PortableApps.com Installer, just post a note to the Development Forum and we'll help you out.

PortableApps.com Installer / PortableApps.com Format

PortableApps.com Installer is packaged, appropriately, as a PortableApps.com Installer so it will automatically detect an existing PortableApps.com installation when your drive is plugged in. It supports upgrades by installing right over an existing copy, preserving all settings. And it's in PortableApps.com Format, so it automatically works with the PortableApps.com Suite including the Menu and Backup Utility.

Download

The PortableApps.com Installer is available for immediate download from the PortableApps.com Installer homepage. Get it today!

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Comments

John T. Haller's picture

I wanted to particularly thank Chris for his work and suggestions in simplifying the PortableApps.com Installer code. So, thanks Chris!

And before anyone asks, no changes are made to the PA.c Format. No changes need be made to any apps. So, rest easy!

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

I expect this is going to obviously be a no, but you stated in your description about not using any code. Now does this mean any idiot without programming skills, like me, could use this tool (either now or perhaps in future release) to make any open source app into a portable app?

Perhaps using the other dev tools you use so we can then contribute to the list of apps in .paf format, then all you'd need to do is verify their legality allowing you to concentrate on the platform itself, which I have to say, I feel is lacking.

Please forgive me for saying that, I know it must be very hard work keeping this site running and tryin to get the apps for the platform. But I just want to see so much added to the platform and wonder if it will ever happen. It has so much potential and the possibilities are immense. I'd like to know if you have any plans to add the following or perhaps you would like to consider them:

1. Tabbed support.
2. Resizing of menu.
3. Drag n drop shortcuts for external apps, Right side of menu or to tabs.
4. Right Click options for Shortcuts - rename, change path.
5. Right Click options for Apps - remove from menu, explore here, categories, move.
6. Possibly even docklet support compatible with RocketDock and ObjectDock.
7. Another long shot ;), support for either windows sidebar gadgets or something similar. The reason for this is that I have a gadget to monitor all drive capacities, CPU, RAM, WiFi, d/l speed, Batt, time/date, and can also monitor many other things.

Though, I imagine, this is a big thing to do, how many would like to see these things added into one single app/platform? It would put the PAP way out there above the competition. It would make Rocket/Object/etc Docks redundant, even possibly the Sidebar if some sort of gadget idea could be integrated.

I completely understand the immensity of this sort of idea but it would make for a great platform to integrate the ideas of PAP, RD/OD, windows sidebar (yes i understand there could be copyright issues with this).

Perhaps you think there's no need for some of these, but I think there would be many out there who would disagree. Come on people add your comments and your support if you think there some feasibility in these ideas and you'd like to see them added to the best Portable menu out there!!

I've tried a few, RD/OD plus a few not so good variations, Codysafe, Appetiser, and some other not so good ones. All these are great in their own way but I think by now there should be something that stands out from the crowd and out of all these I support JTH and crew - all for PAP Smile

Live for an ideal and leave no place in the mind for anything else.

John T. Haller's picture

Your post is nearly completely unrelated to the PortableApps.com Installer, which is a development tool to package apps that are in PortableApps.com Format in our easy to use installer.

Please post in the forums for the additional stuff.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

could you move it please? and hopefully answer it, that'd be a bonus Smile it is sort of related i just went off a bit. oops.

Live for an ideal and leave no place in the mind for anything else.

John T. Haller's picture

Make a new post in the forums and I will delete this. Comments can't be moved into posts. 95% of the comment is unrelated to a news item about a new version of the PA.c Installer.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

jus like to know what you think of these ideas if you got the time. thanks

Ok Thanks will do

Live for an ideal and leave no place in the mind for anything else.

John,

I appreciate you restraining your response to people who completely misunderstand the purpose of the PortableApps.com Installer. However, as this is not the first time I have seen such confusion on these forums I wonder if its not an indication that the chosen name for this component is not perhaps ideal.

If the "PortableApps.com Installer" is indeed "a development tool to package apps", then perhaps it would be simpler in the long run to call it the "PortableApps.com Packager"

I realise this might not be on your roadmap, and I'm sure you're busy cranking out loads of great new stuff (and making it freely available to anyone, whether they actually appreciate your effort or or), but I think that anything which reduces confusion is a Good Thing

Keep up the great work

John T. Haller's picture

Actually, "packager" sounds even more like it would make apps portable than "installer" to me. So does "maker" which someone else suggested. It doesn't matter how we name it, some folks will always be confused by it. And the explanation in the article and on the page is pretty clear. In multiple places it says you need to have your app in PA.c Format before using it.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

OliverK's picture

I do not mean to be rude to anyone, especially you.

"what's in a name?" Let's think about it.

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

computerfreaker's picture

Maybe PortableApps.com Bundler?
At least to my ear, that conveys the correct idea - bundling the folder structure into a PAF "installer"... just MHO.

"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."

i download this and edit source files. and i modifity for me only or private to share my family or friends and no share to internet. if open source, i can create my installer builder my self from this pac? i have plan to new post beta my launcher some app like ken renamer or other, but now my problem i can't online.

Andibad, i interesting about this portable app website and great can save all file to my flashdisk 2-8 gb and no file in host computer, i like that.

bgillis's picture

Hi John,

I've found a bug in Installer 1.0.1.

${If} ${AdvancedExtract10Filter} == "**"
	ExecDOS::exec `"$INSTDIR\7zTemp\7z.exe" x -r "$PLUGINSDIR\Downloaded\${DownloadFilename}" -o"$INSTDIR\${AdvancedExtract10To}" * -aoa -y` "" ""
${Else}
	ExecDOS::exec `"$INSTDIR\7zTemp\7z.exe" x "$PLUGINSDIR\Downloaded\${DownloadFilename}" -o"$INSTDIR\${AdvancedExtract10To}" ${AdvancedExtract10Filter} -aoa -y` "" ""
${EndIf}

should be replaced by

${If} "${AdvancedExtract10Filter}" == "**"
	ExecDOS::exec `"$INSTDIR\7zTemp\7z.exe" x -r "$PLUGINSDIR\Downloaded\${DownloadFilename}" -o"$INSTDIR\${AdvancedExtract10To}" * -aoa -y` "" ""
${Else}
	ExecDOS::exec `"$INSTDIR\7zTemp\7z.exe" x "$PLUGINSDIR\Downloaded\${DownloadFilename}" -o"$INSTDIR\${AdvancedExtract10To}" "${AdvancedExtract10Filter}" -aoa -y` "" ""
${EndIf}

This bug exists for all AdvancedExtract#Filter variables. They must be quoted to avoid path with spaces.

When do you expect to release a bug fix ? As soon as you can of course Wink

Best regards,

Bertrand

Chris Morgan's picture

I've been intending for a while to go through the installer in another large sweep and check that all values which could possibly have spaces are quoted or will work. I'd also make it warn for spaces on most things where it shouldn't be used.

It'll be a lot easier to do things like that when we've got it in Mercurial version control.

I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1

bgillis's picture

temporarily by adding quotes directly in the file "installer.ini".

eg: AdvancedExtract10Filter="SomePathWithSpaces"

But I think this should be avoided and solved within the installer itself Wink

Computator's picture

If you try to make a installer exe, PortableApps Installer puts out an error when you do not have any files in the "Other" directory (even if there are folders in it).

Also, Can you change it so that it works if the help file has a .htm extension rather than only a .html extension? And I would really like to be able to make installers that have a .cmd (or .bat) file instead of a .exe file. The Launcher supports .cmd and .bat files but the PortableApps Installer Doesn't :(.

Thanks

John T. Haller's picture

The help file must be named help.html only. No variations. Only EXEs are supported. Neither CMDs or BATs are supported by the PAF spec, nor will they be.

The other folder is a partial bug that can be fixed by creating a text file in Other or Other\Source. Basically, the spec requires files in Other\Source even though they aren't used by many freeware apps.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

John T. Haller's picture

Software that uses a BAT file to launch and has a command line window shown is simply unprofessional, not to mention totally unnecessary since you can do the same thing to launch a program within a couple minutes in nearly any language (NSIS, C++, Delphi, etc).

If you would like to discuss further, please post in the support forums rather than as comments on a news story.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!