BitRock Multiplatform Installer for applications - free OpenSource license lazarus / 8-Other ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-13 09:28 In common with many people, I was using the excellent InnoSetup installer for my Windows apps.  My last 3 projects however, have been multiplatform (well, Windows and Linux anyway). How to make an installation package for Linux?  There's RPM and DEB etc, but they can be daunting for Linux newbies like me to deal with. After a bit of googling, I came across the BitRock installer, but licenses can cost thousands of dollars! But after looking more carefully at their website (http://installbuilder.bitrock.com/) I saw that they offered free licenses for Open Source projects - Bingo! All you need to do is provide a link to your O/S multiplatform project(s) (mine are on SourceForge) and you get a free license.  Here's the link: http://installbuilder.bitrock.com/open-source- licenses.html I got my license the next day, along with a link to download the Enterprise versions of InstallBuilder.  I'd say this is a company willing to support Open Source developers. Disclaimer:  I have no commercial connection with BitRock whatsoever.  I'm posting this simply as useful information for other multiplatform developers here. I'm in the process of testing it, but so far it does what it says on the tin.  You can make Linux installers from within Windows and vice versa.  It makes DEBs and RPMs too - also Mac OS. There are 21 choices in the 'target platform' combobox!  The same 'master script' is used for all platforms. It's not as 'wizardy' as Inno setup, but seems reasonably easy to learn and is very customizable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-15 12:34 After having now used the BitRock Installer for a project, here's a brief review: Summary First impressions are all about the GUI.  Too simple or too complicated both put off first-time users.  Too simple, and it seems as if it's not configurable enough; too complicated, and you can't get simple projects off the ground quickly. With BitRock Installbuilder, the GUI starts up with basic choices on a page.  Vendor name, Product name, product filename and version number, and any license and readme file.  All very simple. The File page looks more complicated, as BitRock supports multiple targets and components (choices for the user to install)  For a simple Windows install, it just means highlighting the 'Program Files (Windows)' entry and clicking 'Add Files'. The 'Advanced' page can be left alone for a simple install. The 'Customization' page makes it simple to use your own graphics for Splash screen etc. The last page; 'Packaging' is where you choose your target OS and click the 'Build' button. That's pretty-much a summary of getting a simple windows installation going, and is as simple as InnoSetup I think. MultiPlatform Use Pretty simple.  Back on the 'Files Page' just add a new destination folder, and the dialog asks which platform it is for.  You can specify any one of 21 targets, including Linux 32-bit and 64-bit of course. Pros and Cons Cons Installer filesizes are big.  My Linux install was 17MBLinux: It doesn't automatically make a shortcut or menu item.  There is an XML script you can write that will do this though.  It makes Windows shortcuts just fine.Unfamiliar terms - not really a con, but if you want an advanced installation you will have to trawl the documentation and be prepared to learn their way of doing things.The Open Source license is specific to the projects you tell BitRock about.  If you want the license extended to a new project, you will have to tell them, and they send you a modified license file.  I asked for and got a license for my current 3 projects.Pros Free for Open Source developers.  The OS license is unrestricted.Unified install script for Windows, Linux and Mac OS.  On all platforms, your installer will look and feel the same for your usersThe Windows version of InstallBuilder can not only compile your Windows installer, but also ANY of the other 20 platform installers as well.  This is also true if you use it in Linux - you can make your Windows installer from within Linux.Very configurable.  You can make complicated and professional installations if you are prepared to read up on the documentationGood support from BitRock.  There's also a user forum that seems pretty much up-to-date. Conclusions so far If you want to deploy an open source application over a number of platforms, then InstallBuilder is a darn good (and free) solution. If you need to make a really complicated multiplatform installer, with lots of dialogs/user choices and downloadable components and an update facility 'out-of-the-box' then BitRock InstallBuilder is a really good solution. Disclaimer:  I have no commercial connection with BitRock whatsoever.  I'm posting this simply as useful information for other multiplatform developers here. Link to my first project using BitRock installers: https://sourceforge.net/projects/healthdailymonitor/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-15 12:59 Hello. Do you know InstallJammer ? => http://sourceforge.net/projects/installjammer/ I use it for Linux-Windows freewares. You may try this Linux FPC freeware, it uses InstallJammer => https://sites.google.com/site/fiensprototyping/home Fred. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-15 13:06 Quote from: Fred vS on October 15, 2014, 02:59:18 pmHello. Do you know InstallJammer ? => http://sourceforge.net/projects/installjammer/ I use it for Linux-Windows sharewares. You may try this Linux FPC shareware, it uses InstallJammer => https://sites.google.com/site/fiensprototyping/home Fred. Thanks for the reference Fred.  AFAIK InstallJammer development ceased some time ago - maybe that's wrong? There are folk who disapprove of Linux 'installers' altogether, though I am not one of them.  BitRock apparently can construct RPMs and DEBs though I haven't tried it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-15 13:11 QuoteThanks for the reference Fred.  AFAIK InstallJammer development ceased some time ago - maybe that's wrong? Hum, indeed and, after asking it to the forum, => answer => InstallJammer does not have any known bug, no feature requested => No newer version planed... Hum, i never have problem with it ( more than 100.000 freewares downloaded...). Fred. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-15 14:00 Quote from: Fred vS on October 15, 2014, 03:11:44 pmQuoteThanks for the reference Fred.  AFAIK InstallJammer development ceased some time ago - maybe that's wrong? Hum, indeed and, after asking it to the forum, => answer => InstallJammer does not have any known bug, no feature requested => No newer version planed... Hum, i never have problem with it ( more than 100.000 freewares downloaded...). Fred. That's good news - however we should remember that this topic is about the BitRock installer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BigChimp · 2014-10-15 14:18 And obviously its merits and minuses compared to other products... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-15 14:19 Quotehowever we should remember that this topic is about the BitRock installer. Hum, i only responded to your question => Quotemaybe that's wrong? Sorry to disturb and nice that you take care about  BitRock, i will try it.  Fred ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-15 14:49 Quote from: Fred vS on October 15, 2014, 04:19:42 pmQuotehowever we should remember that this topic is about the BitRock installer. Hum, i only responded to your question => Quotemaybe that's wrong? Sorry to disturb and nice that you take care about  BitRock, i will try it.  Fred Not at all Fred - I appreciate the information.  Perhaps a new topic 'Multiplatform Installers' could be a good idea? I hope I don't come across as a fanboy for Bitrock - I am just trying to avoid the ubiquitous 'topic creep'.  Perhaps I should write a wiki page and reference it on the first post. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-15 14:55 QuoteI hope I don't come across as a fanboy Hum, i am musician and i love the fan-girls-boys.  @ minesadorada => No problem, we are cool. Long and best life to fpc-lovers. Fred. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-16 10:27 LazAutoUpdate suite now released using Bitrock multiplatform installers.  This installation has multiple components. Windows 32-bit and Linux 64-bit https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazautoupdate/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Graeme · 2014-10-16 13:01 Quote from: Fred vS on October 15, 2014, 02:59:18 pmDo you know InstallJammer ? => http://sourceforge.net/projects/installjammer/ I've used InstallJammer for a lot of projects too, including commercial ones. It works very well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-16 13:41 Quote from: Graeme Geldenhuys on October 16, 2014, 03:01:20 pmQuote from: Fred vS on October 15, 2014, 02:59:18 pmDo you know InstallJammer ? => http://sourceforge.net/projects/installjammer/ I've used InstallJammer for a lot of projects too, including commercial ones. It works very well. Does it compile multiple Linux and Mac installers whilst you are in Windows?  Just curious. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-16 13:57 QuoteDoes it compile multiple Linux and Mac installers whilst you are in Windows?  Just curious. Do you mean if InstallJammer has a cross-compil feature ? I do not think so. But when you create your project, you may choose the target os and the respective setup for it (like the fpc => {$IF DEFINED(something)}). So you may use only one setup-file for all OS. Fred. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- minesadorada · 2014-10-16 14:10 Quote from: Fred vS on October 16, 2014, 03:57:11 pmQuoteDoes it compile multiple Linux and Mac installers whilst you are in Windows?  Just curious. Do you mean if InstallJammer has a cross-compil feature ? I do not think so. But when you create your project, you may choose the target os and the respective setup for it (like the fpc => {$IF DEFINED(something)}). So you may use only one setup-file for all OS. Fred. I think that's where InnoSetup misses a trick. Using an configuration XML file is an obvious cross-platform solution. Has anything come of the crossplatform native fpGUI installer?  The wiki has no download links, nor progress reports. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred vS · 2014-10-16 14:26 QuoteI think that's where InnoSetup misses a trick. Using an configuration XML file is an obvious cross-platform solution. InnoSetup is only available for Windows (afaik). InstallJammer exists for Windows, Linux and Mac => You have to install InstallJammer in each os, then you may use your InstallJammer-config- setup file for each os. QuoteHas anything come of the crossplatform native fpGUI installer?  The wiki has no download links, nor progress reports. Maybe you will have more infos if you ask that to fpGUI forum  http://opensoft.homeip.net:8080/webnews/ Fred ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Graeme · 2014-10-22 12:52 Quote from: minesadorada on October 16, 2014, 04:10:56 pmSo you may use only one setup-file for all OS. Yes, that is how I use InstallJammer. One install config for all platforms. QuoteHas anything come of the crossplatform native fpGUI installer? No, unfortunately development has stalled on that project. I simply don't have the resources at the moment.