SUF 6.0 - Setup Factory Splash

[Chris Wasley]

Having converted my SUF 5 project into a SUF 6.0 format, why does a splash screen saying 'Setup Factory' appear just prior to my initial Welcome Screen being displayed?

I'm sure this didn't happen in SUF 5...or have I missed a checkbox somewhere?

Regards
Chris

[Brett]

That screen is displayed as the setup process is being prepared. In v5.0 is was the small dialog that said "Initializing...". We just made the screen look a bit better. There is no way to prevent it from appearing.

- Brett

[a_osoriod]

why if i paid, my installation must show tool's information( like splash, or banner or any)??

[Chris Wasley]

Brett,
Thanks for the reply.
I have also been watching the thread posted by 'jassing', whereby he asked a similar question.
Your response was 'There is no way to change the initializing screen image. Aren't you happy to spread the word about how great Setup Factory is to others?'

Yes we are happy to spread the word about SU, but why does it have to be done in this way. I much prefer the SU5 variation, where the 'initializing' box was smaller etc.

My setup routine using the SU6 splash makes it look like a bit of registered shareware!!

Why couldn't Indigo, if they wanted to advertise the product, made it so that the first screen that the user has designed, has a small text information in there saying something like:
'Installation compiled using a licensed version of Setup Factory 6.0. Visit www.indigorose.com (http://www.indigorose.com) for further information'

This I feel would have been far better, more professional etc.etc.etc.

Chris
P.S. It would be interesting to see what the rest of your customer base says about this


[This message has been edited by Chris Wasley (edited 11-22-2001).]

[Jez]

I have to agree with Chris and jassing - the new splash screen devalues the product making it look like shareware or an unlicensed product. Something a bit more subtle would be better for licensed users, after all I don't have "Microsoft Visual Basic v6" displayed when one of my apps starts up.I think the end user isn't worried about what is used to create the app/setup, as long as it works thats all that counts. Also the end user probably isn't in the market for an installation package - surely the best way to promote SUF is to use forums like this and something like searchvb.com etc

I also agree with a lot of other posts here - Setup Factory is a blindingly good product!!

--End of ramblings--

Jez

[David Wellman]

Just to add my voice to the ramblings (love that word !) above.

I am also looking for a way to remove that initial splash screen. As one of the posts above says, the user doesn't mind what the app or setup is written in providing it works.

Also, we are using licensed copies of SF so why should we be advertising it for IR Corp the whole time.

PLEASE - allow us to get rid of this screen.

And yes, SF6 is now a blindingly good setup product !

[jassing]

To post on this thread as well...

I think that a small text on the bottom of a customizable splash/initialization screen would be better.

"Created with SetupFactory 6" at the bottom. SMALL text with a CUSTOMIZABLE splash screen.

My clients A) wouldn't care what I created it with and B) don't need to see a URL -- when USERS see urls, they think they need to visit it to check for new versions or new information.

I tell other devs to use suf... when I hear "InstallSheild" -- I say "try suf" even tho InstlalSheild came with VisualFoxpro, I pay for and use suf. I find it better, easier, etc. but my CLIENTS (who we deal with) don't need to know the all gory details.

... josh

[Brett]

Thank you for all of your feedback and nice comments. My comments about spreading the word about Setup Factory were quite tongue-in-cheek, I was just kidding around. Seriously though, the reason that we put the logo on the opening screen is because in the past we had troubles with the Initializing text not being easily translatable for our non-English users. As well, our competition shows their own splash screens during initialization as well so I really don't think that your users will think of your setup as shareware or anything like that. The fact is that end users really could care less about what a setup looks like and just want it to get the job done. And that is what Setup Factory does.

However, that being said, we will look at this issue again internally here and come to a final decision.

- Brett

[Tom Cairns]

I have nothing new to add to this thread other than to be another voice registering their annoyance at the Setup Factory splash screen. It seems like the kind of prompt you'd expect from a shareware package. This is such a shame when the new look installer interface looks so professional. I know Setup Factory offers very good value for money but I would seriously reconsider my purchase (and buy a much more expensive package instead) if I had been aware of this.

[pit]

My vote too, please remove the ad! There is no need to tell the enduser what tools I used to create the application. They won't care anyway what compiler, editor and setup tools I prefer.

I don't think SUF needs this kind of advertisement.

[Brett]

OK, don't say that Indigo Rose doesn't listen to our customers. We are going to provide a way to choose which kind of splash that you want. You will either be able to keep the Setup Factory logo splash screen or a simpler one with just the Initializing text and a status bar.

Thanks for your feedback, folks. We weren't sure which way this issue would go. But now we know. Hey, we have experienced fantastic growth here in the past few years because we focus on keeping our customers excited about our products. So we will continue to listen to you and make this change for the next release.

- Brett

[Chris Wasley]

http://www.indigorose.com/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif Excellent news Brett. http://www.indigorose.com/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif
And thanks to Indigo development for listening to the views that have been mentioned.
Regards
Chris

[joe]

Brett,

I visited the IndigoRose web site purely to see if there was a way to turn off the splash screen. I hadn't realised it was such a hot topic but can certainly understand the frustration that this small screen is causing. In its present form I simply wouldn't wish to use SUF 6. Obviously, I'm encouraged by your recent post, bu can you give any indication of when we are likely to see the new release/patch?

[garhop]

I might as well add my $.005 (Half cent - 2 cents would be a legitimate contribution to the thread)

I agree that the splash screen should be optional... and applaud IndigoRose Corp. for listening to their customers. It conveys a nice feeling, being part of a "Family" of users.

Gary

[Brett]

We hope to get the new release out midway through this week. Keep chekcing for updates through the product every once in a while (or better yet, set it to check for updates every day or every time you open Setup Factory). I will also make a post to this forum when it is ready.

- Brett

[John-oh]

Well done. Indigo Rose has made the right decision. I understand why you would want to display your logo, but customer satisfaction won out. Satisfied customers are your best advert - a great product and customer service. You can't go wrong.

[David Wellman]

Great ! User power alive and well !

[jdente]

Good to hear that you will give the option of changing the splash. I having been using SF since version 4 to create installs for several clients and just will not use version 6 until I can change these. If I need to create an install before then Iwill have to use either version 5 or a competitors product.

Otherwise a great product and I like all the other improvments.

[mczajka]

Is there a way to create a custom splash screen, or throw up a large .bmp image when the setup.exe first runs? I know this can be done with AMS, but I'm building a more sophisticated autorun with setup factory that checks a lot of system stuff, installs, stuff, etc.

[Terry Vance]

You can replace the bitmap with your own after build.
Download this: http://rpi.net.au/~ajohnson/resourcehacker