Freeware

[unionpacific]

Calling on developers, any chance downloads can be in an "auto installer" formats instead of "zip" as some of us have no idea what to do with zip downloads?

[LucaZone]

hehe would you believe it but there are people on here who request zips and not auto installers. There are always debates about auto installers having the potential to install viruses without the user knowing.

Its an on going discussion, one which i think will never end.

[unionpacific]

Oh,I never thought of that.
Maybe they could give the option of both,can an auto installer be scanned first?

[LucaZone]

Dont get me wrong. Im up for auto installers too.

Check here for the discussion about it : http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?t=34426

[bigvern]

The CD distributed version of my routes are auto-installers. The reason spanned zips have becoome default for Net distribution is because that is the method the latest version of Route Riter uses to break the route files down into equal size archives. Mike Simpson (the RR author) has been asked whether it would be possible to create (say) 6 executable files rather than a master and 5 spanned zips but the answer was negatory. I believe the main issue would be licencing something like Click to integrate in another programme, maybe it's not even technically possible - no doubt Mike will confirm.

The spanned zips do work if you follow the instructions but agree they are a pain and not particularly user friendly. Maybe Mike could look at regresing RR so there is an option simply to create however many standard zip files are required, rather than the spanned version?

[jbilton]

Calling on developers, any chance downloads can be in an "auto installer" formats instead of "zip" as some of us have no idea what to do with zip downloads?

Hi
I know these types of files do cause some problems...but statements as the above make me laugh...and make me reply..."I suppose you were able to drive a car when you were born".
Jon

[johny]

Calling on developers, any chance downloads can be in an "auto installer" formats instead of "zip" as some of us have no idea what to do with zip downloads?

And some of us have no idea on how to implement the use of installers.

John

[nwallace]

And sometimes installers are more hastle than they are worth

[supergoods]

In general zip files are my preferred method as you usually have more flexibility.

There are some issues with installers:

1) it is hard to see where the file is going, I always prefer to go to a temporary file with everything I download, unless I am VERY comfortable with the uploader, at least then I can weed out any dogs before they get out of the kennel and into the street.

2) the installer can be set to update the registry, which is not necessary and just conjests the computer, the uninstall files are found scattered all over the file structure.

3)some installers will not let you copy the download to a CD for archiving, as I have just had a total crash down to BIOS this has prevented me recovering installers from backup.

[LucaZone]

Calling on developers, any chance downloads can be in an "auto installer" formats instead of "zip" as some of us have no idea what to do with zip downloads?

statements as the above make me laugh...and make me reply..."I suppose you were able to drive a car when you were born". Jon

you havea pm........

In general zip files are my preferred method as you usually have more flexibility.

There are some issues with installers:

1) it is hard to see where the file is going, I always prefer to go to a temporary file with everything I download, unless I am VERY comfortable with the uploader, at least then I can weed out any dogs before they get out of the kennel and into the street.

2) the installer can be set to update the registry, which is not necessary and just conjests the computer, the uninstall files are found scattered all over the file structure.

3)some installers will not let you copy the download to a CD for archiving, as I have just had a total crash down to BIOS this has prevented me recovering installers from backup.

I have to say I have NEVER come across an install file from UKTS that follows the points you have raised above. Every single one has asked me where I would like to install to; Every single one has been stand alone and has had an easy uninstall to remove it; and whats wrong with copying the installed folders onto the archive, or copy the install file itself onto the CD? not quite sure what the problem is there.......


This thread was a general query and has turned into a completely biased discussion by anti-install followers! As discussed in the thread i linked to above, the preference between installers and zips is a purely personal one. Some like intallers and some like zips. Its NOTHING more than that.

[jbilton]

Calling on developers, any chance downloads can be in an "auto installer" formats instead of "zip" as some of us have no idea what to do with zip downloads?

statements as the above make me laugh...and make me reply..."I suppose you were able to drive a car when you were born". Jon

you havea pm........

Hi Lucazone

I've read it....but I dont understand it...this isn't the beginners forum...and I stand by what I wrote.
MSTS is simple...if you stick to all the defaults routes etc.
But if you want something better...then you have to get off your arse and learn.
People who say...I cant...or it doesn't work...are just plain lazy.
Half of my postings are to the beginners forums...offering help...no problem....thats what its therefore.
I have never been formally taught computers...but I've spent hours researching and testing.
I'm neither for or agaisnt installers...I read the readme, that the author has taken the time to write....and then I follow the instructions.....and 99.9% of the time it works.
Rant over
Jon

[saddletank]

I'm going to lock this thread because all that can be said about zips vs installers has already been said on the thread linked to in one of the posts above. We don't want to open that can of worms again.

Sorry guys but I can only see this thread developing into another argument.

Martin
Moderator Team