You got me

Personally, I don't trust autoinstallers at all. I usually install to a temperary directory, zip it into a .zip file, and then uninstall it. I then stick the .zip file away in a safe place to burn onto CD

Theoretically, Installers are the way to go, just click and VOILA!, you have your plane ready to fly.

Unfortunately, many authors have used installers in the past, with default directories as the path for the installation, with no user definable options to change those paths.

This wreaked havoc with the experienced PC user, who often, and rightly so, uses non default directories for their software installations.

I can only assume that these authors were either ignorant (which I doubt), or thought, "Hey, the experienced use will sort it out. The reason I'm using an installer is to make it simple for the average user."

But, often it's not an easy matter to sort it out, confusion reigned, and distrust of installers, (rightly so), becomes an obvious side effect.

Long time simmers will have noticed that the quality, ie. reliability, of downloads and installation software has improved over time, with most installers now allowing the designation of installation paths.

It is not, however, to be taken for granted that the authors of addons have got it right every time, so the discerning simmer still installs to a temp. directory to be safe. This is unfortunate, but inevitable, due to care and mistrust.

I am particularly vigilant about what gets installed on my pc. If an aircraft uses an installer that registers an addon into the registry of my PC, I load it to an Temp. directory and copy that to another folder, then use control panel to unregister that addon as it installed. I then replace it with the unregistered copy.

This is really a pain in the Watusi..... and sometimes involves some real file handling contortions, but like so much other garbage that gets put on our PC's, it's really just a part of computing life.

I have developed an addon for CFS2 which would benefit greatly from an installer. I haven't made one simply because I wouldn't trust one myself, and I don't expect anyone else to either.

This isn't because I think I would Muff it up, it's because I think it's a waste of time, because most users will prefer to install manually because of the reasons above.

Again, this is a shame, it would make the process of adding an addon so much easier, and even possible for the newbie.

As far as spyware, yes it's possible, but so far we have been spared this imposition for the most part, particularly with freeware addons.

Much as I dislike the idea myself I have configured my own complex files (CFS campaigns) as "auto-install" due to their popularity in the CFS community. These are simple self-extracting zipfiles (an extra feature of any registered version of WinZip). They are standalone executable (EXE) files which add nothing to the Windows Registry. I set them up to "install" to the default location of the main directory folder of whichever sim they're intended for but the extract path can easily be redirected to any location you wish. I'm also very careful not to modify/overwrite default files. Self-extracting zipfiles can be extracted (right-click WinZip "Extract to folder......." option) & manually installed in the usual way by experienced users.

I ALWAYS personally check a new "auto-install" on a fresh install of the sim before uploading anything for general use. I ask trusted beta testers to do the same. If a developer is not prepared to do this every time they configure one of these things they shouldn't be doing it. IMHO

PS. I'm just waiting for RollerBall to spot this thread. You will be left in no doubt of his opinion. My advice is the same as his will be. If you don't trust the person who configured the file implicitly, don't risk it - even if it means not having the addon. I would never use them myself. It's much better, just as quick & easier in the long run to learn how to install the stuff properly. This is not difficult. If everyone took a few minutes to learn how it's done there would be no need for "auto-installers" at all.

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I'll take your word for that Spidious old chap. With the different methods used to configure files I can't see how it can possibly work perfectly every time. I still think a few minutes spent learning where everything goes is much more sensible. It's also easier to troubleshoot problems if you installed the files yourself.

If I had relied on auto-install files & installer utilities when I first started in this hobby I would have missed out on so much. I've learned a great deal about my PC that I would never have learned in any other way. I can now teach people how things are done instead of asking questions. Messing around creating my own aircraft & scenery has given me a lot of pleasure over the last 5 years. I've helped countless others do the same. Without all this I would most likely have lost interest in the M$ sims long ago & wouldn't be posting in this forum.

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RollerBall,

I think you hit the nail on the head with that one

Regards,
Stratobat

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Thanks, Hagar

Regards,
Stratobat

Silver - you have my vote and total support