feature requests

[cdundee]

Hi Brett,
I posted some feature requests in the suggestions forum but no one (from Setup Factory) has responded. I just wanted to get your response on if and when the features I pointed out will be available in SUFWI. They are:
It may be wishful thinking but I think it would be great (for users and SUFWI) if the following features can be included in Setup Factory for Windows Installer:
1. Auto Update - The installed application can automatically update.
2. Serial Validation - support for generation and validation of serial numbers. Validation methods like predefined serials, algorithm verified serials, server-side serials, user defined DLL validation.
3. Themes - Themes like in Setup Factory
4. CD/DVD auto run
5. More prebuilt prerequisites like check MS Access Version, check IE version, etc. so install creators don't have to script bootstrapper code.
6. Support for the creation of an uninstaller
7. Support for creating scheduled tasks
8. Support for making setup a trial version, expiration dates, usage counts i.e., capability for setting expiration on setup

Thanks.

[Brett]

In response:

1. I am not sure what that has to do with the installer. Do you mean that somehow the installer auto-updates during installation? Updating of software is not really done from the installer. You should check out TrueUpdate to add that kind of functionality to your software.

2. The 1.1.1004 version does have a screen that can be used for collecting the serial number. Also in the help file there is a tutorial that explains how to call a custom action DLL to validate the serial. However, putting in a more automated way of validating a serial number list is something that I would eventually like to get in there.

3. This one would be quite difficult because we are constrained by what the Windows Installer dialogs allow. They do not allow custom colors or styles of controls. The closest that you can get to theming is to use the Bitmap objects to provide different backgrounds.

4. What specifically do you mean? Automatic generation of an autorun.inf file? Our AutoPlay Media Studio product is much better suited to autorun menu creation.

5. Good ideas. I would like to get more of those in there. They do involve writing and running custom action DLLs though so they may take a bit of time for us to get to.

6. All installs created with SUFWI have uninstalls. Perhaps I am not understanding this point. Please clarify.

7. Good idea. Again, that would involve custom actions, but I can certainly see the value.

8. Again, this one is really outside of the realm of the installer. For that kind of thing you should be using security software such as Armadillo or something similar.

[cdundee]

Hi Brett,
Thanks for replying back. Here are my clarifications:
1. Yes True Update adds the functionality but I guess I was asking for something integrated in SUFWI and not as a separate product.
2. I was actually referring to the security feature that is present in Setup Factory software. I guess one could also use custom dlls but a built-in serial number generation just like in setup factory would be nice.
3. What I was referring to here is that it would be nice if there were a few prebuilt header and banner bitmaps provided by setup factory that we could browse through using the global styles and change easily.
4. You are right. AutoPlay Media would suffice for this request.
5. I am glad you like the idea.
6. I meant the creation of an uninstall.exe that can be used to uninstall the product. If there can be an uninstall.exe file then we can create custom uninstall dialogs.
7. I am glad you liked the idea
8. I was referring to the expiration feature available in setup factory product but I guess there are some 3rd party softwares that accomplish this.