tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9537945.post1701775823010076436..comments2007-09-08T07:34:50.783-05:00Christopher Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167478740431444267chrpai@yahoo.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9537945.post-19761211736229582932007-09-08T04:43:00.000-05:002007-09-08T04:43:00.000-05:00That doesn't have say that the Windows Installer requirement will be removed in general. There has always been a difference between desktop and server operating systems: Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 logo guidelines highly recommend but don't require Windows Installer. Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Vista however do require Windows Installer. Windows XP is an exception: Windows Installer is not a requirement for the general "Designed for Windows XP" logo, but it is required for the "Optimized for Enterprises" add-on. So apparently Windows Installer is a requirements in mass deployment scenarios (corporate desktops) but not for servers.Stefan Kruegerhttp://www.installsite.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9537945.post-23706763468480415472007-09-07T13:59:00.000-05:002007-09-07T13:59:00.000-05:00As my friend says `don't get me wrong` .... I still like MSI, but I like the emphasis on the practice not the tool. <BR/><BR/>I believe the statistics are 50% of ISV's ship MSI's and 80% of installs in corporate environments are MSI. Clearly Windows Installer addresses corporate user stories more then ISV development stories.<BR/><BR/>Everyone gets to make their choices in life. Look on the bright side.... if more ISV's choice non-MSI and do a poor job at it and yet still sell their products to corps, there will be more repackaging/virtualization work to go around.Christopher Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167478740431444267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9537945.post-50661869975853321152007-09-07T13:47:00.000-05:002007-09-07T13:47:00.000-05:00I am not so sure this is a good thing. With Windows Installer comes enforceable standards, and open format. One of things I hate most about installation is not being able to open it up and see what it is going to do to my system.<BR/><BR/>This may come as a headache to many enterprise organizations as well since most build their deployment shops around supporting Windows Installer.<BR/><BR/>Everyone may not like being forced to use Windows Installer for certification, it definitely has its advantages for the end user.AJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16538587727045104430noreply@blogger.com