To MSI or not to MSI...

[Jarlaxle]

I've worked with NSIS, Inno and InstallShield's InstallScript-based installers in the past. I'm evaluating InstallAware and while I find it quite nice even though there are some missingfeatures I'd need, I'm wondering what are the pros and cons of Windows Installer technology.

I've read various documentation about Windows Installer technology but I'm still trying to figure out what really makes it better than say, an InstallScript-based installer.

Anybody can shed some light on this?

[SteveDude]

If you want to certify your installer for Vista it must use the Windows Installer Technology.

A reason for InstallAware...It just makes really cool installers that work very well on Vista 32 and 64.

Personally I think the Windows Installer Technology stinks and is very limited. IA gets around many of those limitations and another personal view...it makes Installations fun again.

[Jarlaxle]

Thanks for the reply Steve.

I don't really any certifications for Vista, with the potential exception of Games for Windows.

The major turnoff of IA that I've seen is the lack of built-in support for multiple discs.

[CandiceJones]

While that is indeed the case...you can get around that using a little bit of custom scripting and web media blocks. You would essentially layer the data onto discs using "packets" of web media blocks, and prompt for disks before moving on to the next "packet disc".

Even though you would do a web build, this build would not require an internet connection at any time, because you will be prompting for the discs containing the appropriate web media blocks and verifying they exist before entering the scope of the blocks.

Unfortunately, the downsides are manual determination of what to put in each block, as well as the custom scripting that is required.

[Jarlaxle]

While that is indeed the case...you can get around that using a little bit of custom scripting and web media blocks. You would essentially layer the data onto discs using "packets" of web media blocks, and prompt for disks before moving on to the next "packet disc".

Even though you would do a web build, this build would not require an internet connection at any time, because you will be prompting for the discs containing the appropriate web media blocks and verifying they exist before entering the scope of the blocks.

Unfortunately, the downsides are manual determination of what to put in each block, as well as the custom scripting that is required.

Thank you for your reply Candice. Do you have a working example somewhere on the site?

Or, is this a feature that is planned in a foreseable future?