Re: GSoC project about binary packaging

[Michael Goffioul]

On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 12:23 PM, John W. Eaton <address@hidden> wrote:

On 07/09/2013 12:16 PM, Michael Goffioul wrote:

On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 2:21 PM, Patrick Noffke <address@hidden

<mailto:address@hiddencom>> wrote:

    I tried adding UI elements as described here:
    http://wix.tramontana.co.hu/tutorial/user-interface

    It seems msitools does not support the WixUI user interface library.
    This is apparently derived from the MSI SDK.  The download link on the
    above page takes you to an installer for the Platform SDK.  I'm trying
    to install that now to see if I can find what they're referring to,
    and to see if it would be possible to use this in msitools.


Hmmm, I don't like the sound of that. You can't expect people to install
Platform SDK to do a MinGW build/installer, moreover when
cross-compiling I'm not even sure you would be able to install it
(without accepting some license agreement...?)

I haven't been following this discussion closely.  Could someone summarize?  What was wrong with using an NSIS installer?  It seems it was possible to use that in cross builds as well as native, correct?

AFAIK, yes. There is nothing wrong with NSIS, but Patrick raised the concern that NSIS generates executable installers, while WiX generates MSI file; and that MSI files might be the only type of installer allowed in corporate locked-down environment.

Personally, I'm fine with both (though I don't know WiX), except if WiX requires to install Platform SDK in order to have customized UI in the installer.

Michael.