Visual Installer

Targets Windows
1

Hi there,

Anyone have experience of using Visual Installer from SamLogic. On paper it seems like a reasonable option and the price is right. To short comings I see are:

  • No support for installing services (but CMD commands can executed, so there is a work around)
  • No support for installing IIS websites (programmes can be run after the setup finishes so you could roll your own)

James

2

James,

I started to use VI back in the 90’s. It’s indeed a stable and reliable product. For some years ago I worked closed with the guys at SamLogic to manage installation of MS Excel add-ins.

Download it and explore it. If You miss any feature send an e-mail to SamLogic to discuss it. They are open-minded people.

3

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the response. And yes I have already downloaded and run a few tests.

It looks very good and apart from the two issues mentioned above, the only other limitation I have found is that it is not possible to enable the user to enter values such as a connection string or a port number. But it should be possible to work around this.

Over all in my opinion it is very good value for money, considering the cost of other installers.

4

James,

This is exactly the type of feedback SamLogic like to have. If it’s ok with You I can address these feature to them and ask if it’s possible to add them into future release.

BTW, the built-in macro language is quite powerful. If possible I recommend You to learn it.

5

Yes by all means do! That plus including a function to install a windows service would go along way to rounding out the functionality.

[I expected you can install a service by calling the cmd, but a function would be nice]