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Problems, problems,problems...

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ndemi
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Problems, problems,problems...

Hi,
I try to learn how to make portable app. I love to learn on some samples so I've read developement section on this site, downloaded NSIS and then...I found a problem.

I downloaded of course all source code of Johns apps. I went to AbiWordPortableSource as was sugested on developement site and I put AbiWordPortable file to compile in NSIS. Everytime I had an error - some invalid command.

Anyone can help me? What is wrong? Did I forget about something? or maybe I didn't change some line of code which I should?

Thanks for any help.
N.

John T. Haller
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Google is your friend

As mentioned in several different threads, there are additional components you need. If you get an error that newadvsplash isn't found, Google it. You'll see its an additional NSIS plugin. Repeat until the errors are gone.

And you need to learn NSIS and the way it works. Read the documentation. If you haven't done that yet, then you need to do that before moving forward.

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

Ryan McCue
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Quick fix (for lazy people):

http://portable.cubegames.net/PortablePlugins_1.0.exe
----
Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Dirinfo
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Thank You Ryan

Thank You to (at least) let us start!
Maybe at ReadMe.txt would bring a little explanation...
I Know the (huge) NSIS manual exists, but I would love a little tutorial oriented towards the PortableApps Launcher creation.
I allready asked several times around this forum but could never get an answer/ What would be the MINIMUM script file to make a launcher for a "no registry" application.

For example:
U:\PortableApps

Ryan McCue
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Read at the top of the page

Click Development.
???
Profit!
----
Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Dirinfo
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That's not kind

Answers like this one aren't very fair. This brings no help. If you do not want to help, just do not answer.
Of course I did read the Development page (wich states Note: This text is not yet finalized but has been posted for feedback.

But the Step 4 just says to look at examples scripts and RTFM (Read The F-ing Manual).

I have no time time at the moment to learn all the tricks to write a sophisticated installer. I just wanted to do just that: launch an application sitted underneath the App path (relative to it):

MyAppLauncher.exe
+ App\
  MyApp.exe

Please do not laugh at beginners if you do not want to help.

Ryan McCue
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Ah

Well then, minimal script it is:

OutFile "MyAppLauncher.exe"
Section
Exec "App\MyApp.exe
SectionEnd

Anyway, just wanted to make sure you read that Smile
----
Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Dirinfo
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It (almost) works !

At last!
Believe it or not, I got an error with this very helpfull four-liner: the third line needed a closing quotes! Wink

Now I can build on it (that's the way I do learn): adding a title, caption, icon, splash-screen, auto-close, silent-mode, and on and on, brick after brick.

Many thanks to you

P.S. Maybe John T. Haller could make a sticky note in the begining of this forum, stating NSIS is needed, along with your (excellent) complement PortablePlugins_1.0.exe and this 4 lines example. What do you think?

John T. Haller
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You have to put in the effort...

So, you're not willing to read the manual... but you expect those of us who have to somehow teach you the same stuff we took the time to read and understand? There's a reason people say read the manual...

I'm not saying you need to read the whole manual, but there are many example scripts within the NSIS Examples directory that show you the basics. It's essentially a new language for you... and if you REALLY want to be able to create launchers, you need to learn it. Especially if you're going to work with commandlines, registry entries, altering files, etc. And many apps WILL require this.

If you're not willing to learn this yourself, then you could try using Registry Wrapper or another option that allows you to do it without coding. Or you could wait for the upcoming PortableApps Wrapper which will allow you to make most apps portable by editing an INI file.

So, instead of saying things like "If you do not want to help, just do not answer." when people are actually pointing you in the *right* direction, we could turn around with "If you're not willing to put in any effort, please go away". It's about the same thing and just about as kind. Step back and think about what you're asking for... then go back in and try learning NSIS piece by piece.

Incidentally, the easiest launcher to understand is probably the Sudoku launcher now. The most complicated thing it does is set the USERPROFILE environment variable. AbiWord got more complicated due to registry entries and files.

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

Frank D. Hubeny
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To Get Started

Hello Group;

I am going to take the plunge and try to make one of these. Being new to this sort of thing I went to the NSIS site and found many items to down load. They have the basix and then some things in what they say are complete enviroments for developers.

Would some one enlighten me as to which of these may be help full items and which I should not bother with.

I have a application which is both open source and free but may be closed. It is portable now but it has a required directory structrue. This requirement has many executables in it that are picked up by Johns menue. A solution is for me to give this a try and tell it to only launch the one or two I want. I thought about this after looking at Johns openOffice which has many lauanchers outside the directory.

Now you know what and why.

I downloaded both the HTML manual and the latest version of NSIS. I will look at the manual over the holidays. I suppose I should add that I am not a programer so any starting, not codeing help would be greatly appreciated.

I all so promise not to post any code or text files or what ever is the proper term here with a subject please fix this for me Smile

Frank D. Hubeny

Bahamut
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Click

Click Development.
???
Profit!

Is that a South Park reference?

Vintage!

Ryan McCue
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Dunno

But it's used in a lot of how-tos.
----
Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

John T. Haller
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It is from South Park

Step 1. Collect underpants
Step 2.
Step 3. Profit

It's from the underpants gnomes episode. And, like so many things South Park, the geeks adopted it and ran with it.

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

Ryan McCue
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Cool

Remind me to watch that episode Smile
I've only seen a few, like where the dam collapses and floods the town because of their boat and the mormons one Biggrin
----
Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

John T. Haller
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It's worh checking out

It's worth checking out. It's one of the best social-commentaries around. And it's damn funny. Smile

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

Steve Lamerton
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You know,

the thing that I love about this site so much is how off topic things can get in a very short space of time Smile

Yours

Steve Lamerton

Ryan McCue
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Yeh

So much fun... Blum
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Ryan McCue
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
(Tom Lehrer)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Dirinfo
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Thank You Ryan

Thank You to (at least) let us start!
Maybe a ReadMe.txt would bring a little explanation...
I Know the (huge) NSIS manual exists, but I would love a little tutorial oriented towards the PortableApps Launcher creation.
I already asked several times around this forum but could never get an answer/ What would be the MINIMUM script file to make a launcher for a "no registry" application.

For example:

U:\PortableApps      ( This folder at the USB key root )
   + TotalCommander
     - TotalCmdLauncher.exe    ( the laucher to create )
     - TotalCmd.ico
     - TotalCmd.nsi      ( the NSIS script to write )
     + App
       - ...
       - TotalCmd.exe   ( the application itself )
       - ...
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