I agree. Being able to install applications in unprivelaged locations is one of the best qualities of mac os x.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 9, 2008, at 2:18 PM, Charles Srstka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

On Sep 9, 2008, at 5:53 AM, Bill Cheeseman wrote:

on 2008-09-08 11:31 PM, Chris Markle at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I'd prefer to ship this as a DMG... But if I understand DMG-based
delivery correctly, the idea is that Mac users are used to this and
"know" to copy the application bundle to the Applications folder.

Apple currently recommends that ALL applications be delivered in the form of an installer. See the "PackageMaker User Guide," last revised in July 2007:

Here's what Apple says in the Software Delivery Guide (which I'd assume to be more authoritative about which option you should use than the PackageMaker manual), in the section under Managed Installs:

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/SoftwareDistribution/Managed_Installs/chapter_5_section_1.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000145i-CH6-SW8

"As described in “Overview of Software Delivery,” managed installs g ive you more control over the installation process, which, among oth er things, allows you to fine-tune the user’s install experience. Ho wever, when your product is made up of a single component that doesn ’t need to be placed at privileged locations in the file system, suc h as /Applications or /Library, you should provide users with a manu al install for your product. Manual installs are faster and easier t o perform for novice and expert users alike. See “Manual Installs” f or details."

I must agree with this paragraph whole-heartedly - my single favorite thing about OS X is the way so many applications can be installed by dragging a simple icon somewhere, and can be uninstalled by dragging that same icon to the Trash. No need to worry about an installer dumping crap where you don't want it, no paranoia about trusting the uninstaller to remove everything - just delete, and it's gone. It's a brilliant idea, and although users coming from Windows might be used to needing to run an installer all the time, once it's explained to them, it's the most natural thing in the world. After all, if we're designing solely for the benefit of doing what Windows users are used to, they're also used to launching applications through a Start menu in the lower-left corner. Do we need one of those too?

Charles_______________________________________________

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