[Qt-interest] [OT] Politically Correct way to release an Open Source Qt Project

[Martin Hofius]

Hi,

Am Montag, 2. August 2010 schrieb Kustaa Nyholm:
> >> On the other hand, on Windows (in my experience) the users are
> >> conditioned to need/expect an installer even if one is not actually
> >> needed and even though  the whole concept of an installer is faulty.
...
> As to uninstalling, that too could / should be included in the application
> IMO.
deleting itself? 
>
> Uninstalling config files? Mostly I could not care less if they are left
> hanging around, they are typically small and unless they contain sensitive
> information, who cares? And if they do the application should have an
> option to delete them.
what about damaged config files? Ok, you may include some functionality to 
repair or recreate damaged config files in your application. But maybe you 
have to grant special user rights to do this (to prevent ordianry users to 
kill/recreate important settings)

>
> Uninstalling cache files? These should be stored in directory that is
> periodically or on demand (of free disk space) gets cleaned up. And again
> if there is a *real* need to get rid of them the application could/should
> have an option to delete them.
see above...
>
> So seriously I think installer as a concept is faulty.  And most installer
> are even faultier in their implementation leaving wreckage and broken
> things behind them, installing mysterious things all over the place. That
> of course is not only the fault of the installer concept but application
> architects that structure their applications in dysfunctional ways. Skype
> is a case in point!
for not perfect operationg systems (like Windows oder Linux) there are 
guidelines for these locations...

>
> As a user all I want is a single file that I can put where ever I like, run
> and get rid of by trashing it.
>
> Should not be that difficult should it? Two clicks to download and run, one
> drag to get rid of it.
what does a MAC user if a program doesn't start anymore - beause of damaged 
config or cache files? Format the whole system disk? Or wait until the 
garbage cleaning will delete cache files?
On Linux the user may be able to start the program with a special cleaning 
option. On Windows the installer has a repair option...


Greetings
Martin