From: Curt Hibbs <curt@...>
Date: 2004-11-29T22:21:58+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby GUIs and installation effort

R. Mark Volkmann wrote:[mailto:mark@ociweb.com]
>
> "Nick" wrote:
> >
> > In the end, it's not up to the user to have the libraries
> necessary to run
> > your app. You need to use the libraries that make the most
> sense for your
> > audience, and you need to install them in the best location.
> This requires
> > getting a little dirty with the installers, the ruby
> interpreter, and the
> > system at hand. But if the user can't install your app, then
> they probably
> > won't run it.
>
> I agree. It seems though that "getting a little dirty with the
> installers"
> could be done once for all of us rather that repeated for every Ruby GUI
> application that requires portability to Windows, OS X and Linux
> and desires
> to be used by non-developers. Having a one-click installer for
> each platform
> that installs everything needed for a portable GUI seems ideal.

We *are* working towards this goal. But the road to success is paved by
volunteers willing to help...

We've got a one-click installer for windows, Steve Steiner is inching his
way closer to a one-click installer for osx (as a framework). I still need
someone willing to create and maintain one-click installers for kde and
gnome.

Then rubygems and rpabase (with integrated support in the one-click
installers) will provide subsequent customization to the user's installation
(as well as ongoing updates).

The missing piece would be a cross-platform installer that can package up
ruby apps, related extensions, and platform-specific binaries into
easy-to-distribute, self-installing applications. Any volunteers here?

Curt