Introducing: WiXAware 1.0!

[CandiceJones]

What is WiX?

WiX is short for Windows Installer XML. WiX takes as input an XML source file, which is your setup project, and coverts it into an MSI package. WiX works much like traditional compilers and linkers - you may use multiple source files to build "object" files first, and then link them into a final MSI package.

What is WiXAware?

WiXAware is the first visual MSI package builder based on WiX technology. In the good InstallAware tradition, WiXAware features a two-way integrated IDE with visual and code views. As you make changes to your setup visually, WiXAware updates the underlying XML code. If you directly edit the XML code and switch back to the designers, your latest changes are rendered visually.
WiXAware also provides a setup debugger and other sophisticated IDE features to make creating WiX packages a visual, easy and enjoyable process.

What is Great About the WiXAware XML Editor?

The modern code editor features syntax highlighting to help you easily differentiate elements of your code. Code folding lets you fold parts of your XML away, making your source code easier to read, navigate, and edit.
As you type new lines of code, the IDE automatically suggests available tags for your input. Confused about what a particular tag does? Just wait for the popup help, which describes each tag in detail. Made some mistakes? Use the multi level undo and redo to go back.

What is Great About the WiXAware Designers?

The visual interface not only renders the underlying XML for you visually, so you can see what your setup does from a high-level perspective; it also updates it for you. Simply point-and-click to make changes to your setup.
Use the many wizards that guide you through complex setup tasks and help you avoid the pitfalls of WiX/Windows Installer setup authoring. Jump-start your projects using the Project Wizard, create custom actions using the Custom Action wizard. Tweak properties using the Property Editor, or set them back to their default values. Navigate multiple project views using the Project Explorer. Either way, the flexible designers give you a birds-eye view of your project, and a rapid way to make changes without manually editing code.

Does WiXAware Have a Dialog Designer?

Yes. WiXAware ships with a 100% visual dialog designer for creating native Windows Installer/WiX dialogs, including a pre-built setup theme for use with all your setups. Finally, you have a dialog designer that emits pure WiX XML code, is easy to use, and supports the full range of controls available with Windows Installer.

Does WiXAware Replace InstallAware 6?

No. WiXAware is not meant as a substitute or replacement for InstallAWare 6.
InstallAware 6 offers compelling, time saving features for building powerful MSI packages not found anywhere else, including WiX. Because WiXAware is based on WiX technology, it suffers from the same kinds of limitations that traditional MSI packages suffer from, which InstallAware 6 transcends.

Then Why Would I Need WiXAware?

Some of you wanted to create single-file MSI setups, without any EXE bootstrappers. WiXAware creates single-file MSI setups. Some of you also wanted to build packages which would be transparent to system administrators for reverse engineering. WiXAware packages are very transparent. Moreover, we had some direct requests for a production quality visual WiX tool, as none existed before. For all these reasons, we made WiXAware - so you can have what you want and need. Finally, because the entire sources of WiX projects are stored inside plain-text XML files, WiXAware fares very well with source control systems and tools that display the differences between source files.

[CandiceJones]

Does WiXAware Have Any Other Advantages over InstallAware 6?

No. In fact, in most ways, WiXAware is harder to learn and use than InstallAware 6. If you do not have a specific reason to use WiXAware, InstallAware 6 is still your best choice.

Where Can I Get Download WiXAware?

Please download your free 30-day trial at:
www.wixaware.com

Is This a Free Download?

Yes. This is a free time-limited trial download. Please try it and tell us how you like it.

Do You Have Pre-Release Discounts for WiXAware?

Yes. WiXAware will retail at $499, however you will be able to pre-order WiXAware today at a discount for only $349. This offer is valid only for two weeks, so act now. The WiXAware public beta ends in two weeks, on December 17th, 2006, and this offer expires on that date.

Where Can I Order?

Please visit:
www.installaware.com/wixaware/wixawareprerelease.asp

Who Do I Contact For More Information?

Please contact sales@wixaware.com for licensing and support@wixaware.com for support questions.

Does WiXAware Have a Forum?

You bet! Please visit www.wixaware.com/community to join the new WiXAware Community Boards. Please do not post at the InstallAware forums for WiXAware related questions.