qustion for the express version

[usro]

I cannot make the registration dialog to ask the user for the serial number. How can I do this ?

[MichaelNesmith]

This is not possible in Express.

[usro]

what ?????
the serial number is possible to use even in the free version of visual studio installer.

the express version is in fact a trial version, you can't do anything with it. it really sucks I will never buy again a product from a new company, you compare your products full of bugs and with limited functionality with installshield on your website and you claim yours is better, but installshield it's 100 years ahead of your products ! This is really a big marketing lie which I even don't know if it's legal.

[MichaelNesmith]

Please look here for a brief list of things that can be done with Express:
http://www.installaware.com/express-features.htm

Please keep your comments professional. Thank you for your co-operation.

[usro]

what is the price to upgrade to a version which is capable to use serial numbers ?

[CandiceJones]

I think I can handle that question. It really depends on what your needs are. Developer has scripting, so you can call a custom DLL, post a serial to a web page and authenticate it live, and so on. But Developer doesn't have dialog editing, so if you don't like the pre-built serial dialogs which have five fields for the serial number, you will want to go with Studio, which does offer dialog editing.

Let me know which version you like, and I'll private message you the ordering URL and a special discount coupon.

[usro]

the studio is too expensive for what I need. I don't need scripting support, just to check for a serial number, the express version was ok, but it does not support it. I did not buy InstallShield Express, just for the price, because yours was $199 instead of $499, but Installshield supports serial numbers.

[Rene]

Fist of all, InstallShield supports serial numbers yes, but I believe you will have to use their services to use these serial numbers and they are going to nail you with 1 dollar or so for each serial number you use. Plus their serial number garbage is full of bugs. Bugs that they are clueless on how to fix (been there done that)

Second of all, InsallShield sucks.

Third of all, email Candice about the discount coupon, I think that the price that you will end up paying for the product will be far less than the price that you have to pay for similar InstallShield products.

Forth or all, no I don’t think InstallAware is perfect, if fact, there are a couple of thinks (in my opinion) are implemented by default on a very horrid way (such as the .Net installation) but this problem can be relatively easily to fix once you become familiar with the product.

Finally, my guess is that you are looking for a simple click and go solution because you may be press with time or something, I feel your pain, but you are going to have to spend a couple of hours messing around with the product but I be live this product is your best bet.

Have a good day.

[CandiceJones]

Thank you for the backup Rene

I also got our friend Usro his discount...so I think (s)he should be happier now!

[CandiceJones]

InstallAware now ships with a serial numbers sample. Just download the latest version, then click File | New | Samples, and double-click the Serial Validation sample.

This sample shows how to generate, and validate, unique serial numbers based on user input (their user name and company names, or any other custom fields you may like). The sample is entirely built in InstallAware script and does not depend on outside DLLs.

[usro]

I have a project created with the express version, but when I open it in the Studio version all the scripts are empty and the setup cannot be compiled.
How can I import the express project into studio ?

[MichaelNesmith]

I imagine you are referring to the include scripts. Display the Project Manager (View|Project Manager). Scroll down to the Include Scripts node, and remove each script. Then switch to the visual view if you are not there already (ALT+V). In the Application Runtimes view, uncheck then re-check each runtime. That should refresh the include script locations for you.

[usro]

Hi,
I have removed and added back manually, then I have seen that I can use the visual editor to check them back. Anyway now it works.

Thanks !