InstallJammer Review
March 13th, 2008Cross platform, open source, modified GNU, decent layout, this project has my attention. After my two day honey-moon phase with it, I have formed a strong opinion.
What InstallerJammer is: an excellent program for run-of-the-mill, cross platform installs.
What InstallJammer isn’t: visually custimizable.
Well, technically it is highly theme-able, but requires an extensive knowledge of tcl, tk, and a tun of global data defined in a few different places. Not exactly point and click. I am not complaining, because this program is given to use freely as a gift by Dameon. An installer should be two clicks tops, more for the advanced options area. This would be VERY difficult to come buy unless it was scripted for me by Dameon himself. It’s sadly this way with most installers.
InstallerJammer is heavily programmed in tcl, 23,000 lines of it, with the help of c, and no object orientation. I am betting we won’t see any substantial releases from now on. Since programming productivity goes substantially down after routines hit 200 lines, and bugs and improvement time goes way up, it’s a safe bet.
You must think I am crazy having such high standards for a simple installer, but that’s the beginning of the user experience for SpiceRack . Why spend years in development, and plenty of cash, and let the customer experience a 10 click, drab install?
Sadly, I shall return to Advanced Installer , after having already tried NSIS and a few other lesser known packages. I will try Installsheild in the future, but products with 30 different pricing structures and hard to use websites generally aren’t well designed.
Update, Jun 08:
Well Damon was sensitive enough to the word on the street, and sent me an email asking for suggestions. That shows desire. He posted a response on his forums
Since this time, I have had considerable brain hemorrhages trying to use Advanced installer. Bleh. I had to switch, so I went back to Innosettup, ISTool. I am not able to theme or simplify it as much as I would like, but considering the the alternatives, it’s the best for me now.