Some Starter Questions

[Donw]

I pressed F1 as instructed in the readme post but still have a couple questions it would be great to get help with.
1. I am confused on the short cuts component in the iaexpress project wizard. I assumed this was a place to put an Icon that would launch the app and appear on the desktop and start menu, but now I don't believe that is the case. I need to know how to put my icon on the desktop and in the start menu to instantiate the application file.
2. I read the help on Registries, and still do not know what they mean. I developed an MS Access app so I probably don't need them. Is this the case?
3. I think I can find where to put the license agreement but if you have a tip on that it would be helpful.

Thanks

[FrancescoT]

Dear Down,

#1- That is exactly what a shortcut does. In your case just create a shortcut that points to the app file installed by your project.

#2- To know what WINDOWS Registry exactly does, you should read the Microsoft guides about the matter. In generally, Windows Registry entries are used by applications and Windows OS to store data. So imagine it as a big file where to store settings ... but with some rules required to perform the read and store operations. By the way, if you don't use it with your application ... very probably you do need to access to it from your package installation.

#3- The most appropriate way to show your license agreement ... it is with the license dialog ( ...as I suppose you have already done it).

Regards

[Donw]

Thanks Francisco,

The product is great, I am just a first time user dealing with some issues related mainly to my app's properties and I will likely need to purchase consulting from you to fine tune it.

I do have a follow up question on the shortcut. I think I miscommunicated my issue with my icon. What I was trying to do, was not create an icon for the Installation, but rather include in the installation the configuration of a shortcut on the client's desktop that would be a short cut to launch my app (the one THEY are downloading) in runtime. I tried this again last night and I am not able to figure it out. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[FrancescoT]

Dear Down,

... honestly, it is still not very clear to me which kind of shortcut you are trying to create
Do you mean "maybe" ... a shortcut to launch your setup package?

Regards

[Donw]

Thanks Francisco, I have three issues but I think they are all related.

1. My application icon is an ico file that I need to be placed on the users desktop to launch my app in run time, not sure how to do this. It has not been working.
2. WIndows won't let me install the file I am distributing in the C:\Programs directory, yet I see know options in InstallAware to put it in their documents. How do I chose a location outside of programs?
3. Is there an option to skip the compression? I think the compression is somehow corrupting my application and need to test it both ways (compressed and not compressed) to determine what the issue really is.

[FrancescoT]

Dear Down,

#1- What you are trying to create it is a standard application shortcut. Just create the shortcut from the Shortcuts page in IA IDE, specifying the Shortcut Target, Shortcut Placement (You must check at least one location) and Shortcut Properties (shortcut name and description).
In the Shortcut Target field, enter the full path of the file you will be linking to on the target system. If the target of the shortcut is a file that you are installing, click the Browse button to visually locate it.

Once created, the new added shortcut will be listed in the Shortcuts page in IA IDE. Double click it and specify the Icon File Path within the "Icon File Path" control of the "Create Shortcut" dialog.

#2- The Files page in IA IDE allows you to define which files are installed as part of your product setup. From the same page you can also define any additional target folder you what to use with your setup. You may add pre-defined system folders to the Target Folders structure, or create your own custom folders. To add a new folder Right click an element in the Target Folders view.

#3- Just deploy an Uncompressed Build. This can be defined in the "Build Settings" view of IA IDE.

I may suggest you to have a look at the available IA documentation for more details on all the above argumentations (just pres F1 in IA IDE).

Regards