lifehacker.com — So many software downloads, so little time. Who likes to download, launch and click through that installation wizard application after application? No one, that's who - especially when you've got a computer to get set up and running quick.
Nov 1, 2006 View in Crawl 4
reformistNov 1, 2006
skyshock21, gookie: I built this because of a lack of win32 apt-get-like installation experience. I do my work in Linux, and software is so much easier to get with apt-get or portage or automatix. Why can't it be this easy in windows?Windows doesn't have centralized repositories of free apps like linux does (software culture is completely different), so a solution as clean as apt-get isn't possible, but hopefully this is a start. Maybe someone could build such a repo?
w0rdNov 1, 2006
Active Directory and group policy (for a windows network) are best.
darktrancerNov 1, 2006
For a long time i thought i was the only one that could see an apt like package management as being the next big step for us that still use windows,but dabble in linux also.Lets look at this without the fanboy shouting here:More linux/unix/os x etc apps are being written/ported for win/linux/osx,would it not being better if they all had similar package management?After a reinstall recently,i decided to see how long i could hold out without using any commercial software,only open source/freeware,i`m sure i am not the only one doing the same and it makes switching between linux and windows that much easier when all the programs are already your favs.+digg
voukshNov 1, 2006
Thank god! I'll make it an U3-packaged program and make it 200x easier to install AV and SpyBot on computers i'm working on ^_^
dieselmusaNov 1, 2006
I am going to try to create a script, written in PHP which will allow you to generate XML-files for InstallPad. What ya all think about that?
Closed AccountNov 1, 2006
@ reformist You've started a damn good thing my friend! Maybe in the future we'll see a repo set up by some trusted vendor (perhaps even MS???) where you could use this to install 3rd party apps from.
avalontorNov 1, 2006
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wolfghostNov 2, 2006
reformist,On your statement "this app would have taken 5x longer to build (and thus wouldn't even exist) without .net"...There is nothing technically difficult about what InstallPad does. No .Net needed. Half the coders on Digg could throw together a primitive version in a couple of hours in one any of a dozen languages/development environments. I did, and without .Net, simply because I choose to avoid .Net applications when possible (personal choice). A polished version wouldn't take too long. PS: I do admit that InstallPad inspired me and it does get credit for that.
webcrumbNov 2, 2006
"apt-get"There's a little-known program called windows-get (or win-get) that /almost/ does the same thing. It automates the download of various programs e.g. win-get install winrar. It does have a silent install option (though I've never tried it).There is a huge list off applications this will help get and install, from America's Army and Alcohol 120% to ZSNES and ZoneAlarm.windows-get.sourceforge.net-editI almost just submitted a story for this myself, but it's already been posted. Crap title, though.<a class="user" href="http://digg.com/software/A_Neat_Little_Utility_You_Might_Consider_to_Get,_Win-Get">http://digg.com/software/A_Neat_Little_Utility_You_Might_Consider_to_Get,_Win-Get</a>
georgep22Nov 5, 2006
guys,while we are at unattended installation try Setup Studio (www.setupstudio.net) for automatic (silent) installation of Windows XP and all your favorite software.
georgep22Nov 5, 2006
guys,while we are at unattended installation try Setup Studio (www.setupstudio.net) for automatic (silent) installation of Windows XP and all your favorite software
fedmichJan 25, 2008
I also did made a similar program called "Install Guide".This thread inspires me to make it available to the public, now that I saw some people do actually like these softwares.I own a computer shop, and I made such a tool because there's a lot of pc to install essential softwares and drivers whenever I reinstall. It doesn't require .NET, and it's a tiny one too. and my tool does support license keys, for MS Office, etc.I am installing AVG Free, K-Lite codec pack, Portableapps for firefox, opera, Openoffice, etc. and it also allows various configurations for the PC like random wallpapers, etc.