Why techies shouldn’t create installation programs
I helped a client today install PrimoPDF, a free PDF creation tool. As part of the installation I had to also install the .NET (pronounced "dot net") Framework 2.0. I won't go into the details about what the .NET Framework is--that's not the point of this blog post. My point is what happened during the .NET Framework installation.
As I watched the installation screen, I began to wonder about the information provided to me on the screen. Installing assemblies? Configuring components? Creating image? Does that really mean anything to anyone installing the program?
And why does the installation program feel the need to flash at a hundred miles per hour the names of each and every file it is installing? How many noobies out there care that the .Net Framework has just installed C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\AspNetMMCExt.dll?
This is what happens when technical people design installation programs. They get excited about this kind of thing. "Ooh, look it's installing the assemblies!" "Awesome, the components configured correctly." "Yes, the AspNetMMCExt.dll was registered correctly." "Everything is doing exactly what I programmed it to do... IT'S ALIVE!!!"
Seriously though, do we, the actual people having to install this software need this kind of detail? I highly doubt it. I think 99.9% of the people would be satisfied with a message stating "Installing all of the stuff necessary to make this thing work" message on the screen.
What do you think?
2 comments for this blog post so far...
April 22, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Tim Sullivan
Patric,
I found your article to be actually be quite entertaining.considering I’m one of those techies that creates installer programs.
I happen to agree that messages often seen during software installation make no sense to the average end-user. It’s the installer “creators” (like InstallShield) themselves, however, that generate those messages..I haven’t met too many software developers (yours truly included) that would even take the time to notify the end user that “C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\AspNetMMCExt.dll” has been installed. It’s way too many letters too type. I do like your “Installing all of the stuff necessary to make this thing work” message better.although since I believe the .NET redistributable is from Microsoft I doubt you’ll see any changes to THOSE messages.
There are valid reasons for some of those messages, however. If there was a problem installing the software would it be easier for technical support to diagnose the message “Configuring the Widget component” or “Putting some more stuff that you don’t really need to know what they are on your computer”? Those messages aren’t for you, the end user, they are for the software publisher to make THEIR life easier.and in the case of PrimoPDF, to keep the software FREE.
It’s either that or an installation log file that takes you hours to hunt for on your hard drive.
Tim Sullivan
CEO
activePDF, Inc.
The company that brings you PrimoPDF.It’s Everybody’s PDF
April 22, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Patric Welch
@Tim Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. As techies we both know the underlying reasons why those “debug” type messages appear on the screen. Although at the rate those messages fly by with today’s fast computers, I think I’d rather take my chances with the log file if something goes wrong.
For the record to my readers, Tim Sullivan is correct in pointing out that the messages I am referring to show up in a Microsoft product, not the PrimoPDF product which his company produces (and which I love by the way).
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