From: Wilson Bilkovich <wilsonb@...>
Date: 2007-01-24T05:04:12+09:00
Subject: Re: Deploying (and updating) a ruby client application on a Windows LAN

On 1/23/07, Philippe Lang <philippe.lang@attiksystem.ch> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm about to deploy a ruby client-server application on multiple
> computers on a LAN, and I was wondering if anyone had experience in this
> domain. Installation requires a few steps:
>
> 1) Install Ruby
> 2) Install FXRuby
> 3) Install a few patches
> 4) Install ODBC for MS Access reporting
> 4) Install a directory with all the application tree
>
> I don't fear a first installation done by hand on each computer. But it
> would be great if all the updates could be automatic.
>
> What is the best direction to take? Gems, Capistrano? Something else,
> OS-based?
>

My (weird, but solid) approach was to make an installer using
http://nsis.sourceforge.net
If you have a deployment toolset (like Novell's Zenworks, Microsoft's
stuff, or even login scripts), you can just push out an updated copy
of the installer as needed.
If not, you can use the compiled NSIS executable like a 'launcher'. I
made a simple one with logic like:
version = check_installed_version (in registry or on disk)
if version == the_one_embedded_in_this_file
  launch application and exit
else
  run the install then launch app and exit
end

This means you can have the application shortcut point straight at the
installer. When you copy in a fresh version of the file, it silently
installs an updated app and then launches. Otherwise, it just adds a
few milliseconds to the start time, and pretends to be a shortcut.