.Net packaging/wrapper application?

[jim]

I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and any
needed .Net parts) into a single exe.

I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your exes)
and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd like
something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.

This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as a
single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite. It
would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end user
to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids DLL
and .Net Version Hell.

If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should be
it.

If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require per
copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.

Thanks!

jim

[Kevin Spencer]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Windows Installer:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2kt85ked.aspx

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa372866.aspx

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Chicken Salad Surgeon
Microsoft MVP

"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and any
>needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>
I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd
like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>
This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite.
It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end
user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids
DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>
If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
be it.
>
If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>
Thanks!
>
jim
>

[ThatsIT.net.au]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Do you have Visual Studio 2005? If so why not make a windows application?




"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and any
>needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>
I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd
like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>
This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite.
It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end
user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids
DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>
If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
be it.
>
If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>
Thanks!
>
jim
>

[jim]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Kevin,

While I certainly appreciate your willingness to peck out those URLs, they
are in no way whatsoever related to the functionality of the applications
that I mentioned (Thinstall and Xenocode).

Windows Installer does not wrap the executable and associated files into a
single executable. Windows Installer does not allow a user to run a .Net
application without having .Net installed. Windows Installer does not
obfuscate the executable contents. Windows Installer does not allow you to
create no-install applications that will run without being "installed" on
the end users PC (simply copy the created executable and run - no .Net
install & no application install needed).

Bless your pointed little head....but, what I need is so far advanced from
Windows Installer its not even funny.

Just in case you decide to read about the referenced applications BEFORE you
post, you can do so at http://www.thinstall.com/ and
http://www.xenocode.com/.

jim

"Kevin Spencer" <unclechutney@n othinks.comwrot e in message
news:elOyO%23HS IHA.4128@TK2MSF TNGP06.phx.gbl. ..

Windows Installer:
>

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2kt85ked.aspx

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa372866.aspx

>
--
HTH,
>
Kevin Spencer
Chicken Salad Surgeon
Microsoft MVP
>
"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and
>>any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>
>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
>exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But,
>I'd like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>>
>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
>a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application
>suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require
>the end user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It
>also avoids DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>>
>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
>be it.
>>
>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
>per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>
>Thanks!
>>
>jim
>>

>
>

[jim]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

For several reasons.....

1) An application is just the first step. I plan on coding .Net
applications. The request has to do with distribution of those
applications - not coding the applications.

2) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a single
EXE - no application need be installed.

3) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run without .Net
installed.

4) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode do not suffer from DLL or
..Net version hell.

5) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode are smaller than .Net +
Application installs.

6) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a USB drive
or (if Thinstalled) be streamed over a network with no installation
whatsoever (not even copying the exe).

Please read up on Thinstall and Xenocode at http://www.thinstall.com/ and
http://www.xenocode.com/. Once you do, you too will wonder just why we
don't have this functionality in .Net.

jim

"ThatsIT.net.au " <me@thatsitwrot e in message
news:1E20AF5C-0719-418A-B50F-3FE525B245DB@mi crosoft.com...

Do you have Visual Studio 2005? If so why not make a windows application?
>
>
>
>
"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and
>>any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>
>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
>exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But,
>I'd like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>>
>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
>a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application
>suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require
>the end user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It
>also avoids DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>>
>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
>be it.
>>
>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
>per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>
>Thanks!
>>
>jim
>>

>

[Michael Nemtsev [MVP]]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Hello jim,

ok, what's from that list cant be done with Windows Installer? :)
except the point 3 the Windows Installed can do the same things, maybe not
so silently


---
WBR,
Michael Nemtsev [.NET/C# MVP] :: blog: http://spaces.live.com/laflour

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we
miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" (c) Michelangelo


jFor several reasons.....
j>
j1) An application is just the first step. I plan on coding .Net
japplications. The request has to do with distribution of those
japplications - not coding the applications.
j>
j2) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a
jsingle EXE - no application need be installed.
j>
j3) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run without
j.Net installed.
j>
j4) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode do not suffer from
jDLL or .Net version hell.
j>
j5) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode are smaller than
j.Net + Application installs.
j>
j6) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a USB
jdrive or (if Thinstalled) be streamed over a network with no
jinstallation whatsoever (not even copying the exe).
j>
jPlease read up on Thinstall and Xenocode at http://www.thinstall.com/
jand http://www.xenocode.com/. Once you do, you too will wonder just
jwhy we don't have this functionality in .Net.
j>
jjim
j>
j"ThatsIT.net.a u" <me@thatsitwrot e in message
jnews:1E20AF5C-0719-418A-B50F-3FE525B245DB@mi crosoft.com...
j>

>Do you have Visual Studio 2005? If so why not make a windows
>application?
>>
>"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
>news:e7Lcj.281 93$Mu4.22146@bi gnews7.bellsout h.net...
>>

>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application
>>(and any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>>
>>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for
>>your exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your
>>exe). But, I'd like something that is actually affordable for a
>>hobbyist programmer.
>>>
>>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship
>>it as a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net
>>application suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation and
>>not even require the end user to have .Net installed or to install
>>the application. It also avoids DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>>>
>>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies
>>should be it.
>>>
>>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not
>>require per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>>
>>Thanks!
>>>
>>jim
>>>

[=?Utf-8?B?RmFtaWx5IFRyZWUgTWlrZQ==?=]

RE: .Net packaging/wrapper application?



"jim" wrote:

I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and any
needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>
I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your exes)
and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd like
something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>
This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as a
single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite. It
would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end user
to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids DLL
and .Net Version Hell.
>
If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should be
it.
>
If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require per
copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>
Thanks!
>
jim
>
>

I may be missing your goal with this, but, it looks like these tools are
designed to create something similar to what VMWare does, a distributable
preconfigured machine. Have you looked at VMWare? If so, does it lack some
capability you need?

[jim]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Really?

That's quite interesting. Just how do you cover #4 with Windows Installer?
Is there a new function that will stop DLLs from being overwritten or that
will accomodate differences in .Net versions (like when hotfixes are
installed to patch .Net problems)?

Or how about #5 (smaller distributions - remember that Windows Installer
REQUIRES the .Net runtimes be installed if they are not already and that WI
does not compress the executable like Thinstall and Xenocode).

As far as #6 is concerned, Windows Installer actively blocks code that would
access files (as most code that is useful does) if it is run from the
network or insternet. The Thinstall/Xenocode wrapped apps retain all
functionality.

And, (might as well mention it since we are comparing Windows Installer and
Thinstall/Xenocode) Windows Installer requires administrator privileges to
do most installs. Using Thinstall (not sure about Xenocode), you don't need
admin permissions to run the executable (no matter its functionality)
because nothing is every "installed" on the system (no registry entries
needed, no install to run). That'd be #7 - for those counting at home.

jim

"Michael Nemtsev [MVP]" <nemtsev@msn.co mwrote in message
news:3d9fba1a22 2b18ca16f883192 660@msnews.micr osoft.com...

Hello jim,
>
ok, what's from that list cant be done with Windows Installer? :) except
the point 3 the Windows Installed can do the same things, maybe not so
silently
>
>
---
WBR, Michael Nemtsev [.NET/C# MVP] :: blog:

http://spaces.live.com/laflour

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we
miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" (c) Michelangelo
>
jFor several reasons.....
jj1) An application is just the first step. I plan on coding .Net
japplications. The request has to do with distribution of those
japplications - not coding the applications.
jj2) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a
jsingle EXE - no application need be installed.
jj3) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run without
j.Net installed.
jj4) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode do not suffer from
jDLL or .Net version hell.
jj5) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode are smaller than
j.Net + Application installs.
jj6) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from a USB
jdrive or (if Thinstalled) be streamed over a network with no
jinstallation whatsoever (not even copying the exe).
jjPlease read up on Thinstall and Xenocode at

http://www.thinstall.com/

jand http://www.xenocode.com/. Once you do, you too will wonder just
jwhy we don't have this functionality in .Net.
jjjim
jj"ThatsIT.net. au" <me@thatsitwrot e in message
jnews:1E20AF5C-0719-418A-B50F-3FE525B245DB@mi crosoft.com...
j>

>>Do you have Visual Studio 2005? If so why not make a windows
>>application ?
>>>
>>"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
>>news:e7Lcj.28 193$Mu4.22146@b ignews7.bellsou th.net...
>>>
>>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application
>>>(and any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>>>
>>>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for
>>>your exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your
>>>exe). But, I'd like something that is actually affordable for a
>>>hobbyist programmer.
>>>>
>>>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship
>>>it as a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net
>>>applicatio n suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation and
>>>not even require the end user to have .Net installed or to install
>>>the application. It also avoids DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>>>>
>>>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies
>>>should be it.
>>>>
>>>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not
>>>require per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>>
>>>jim
>>>>

>
>

[Jeff Gaines]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

On 27/12/2007 in message
<3d9fba1a222b18 ca16f883192660@ msnews.microsof t.comMichael Nemtsev [MVP]
wrote:

>Hello jim,
>
>ok, what's from that list cant be done with Windows Installer? :) except
>the point 3 the Windows Installed can do the same things, maybe not so
>silently

Looks to me like Jim is looking for the .NET equivalent of compiling with
static libraries to produce a single executable. I'll add my vote to his
wish list :-)

--
Jeff Gaines

[jim]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?


"Family Tree Mike" <FamilyTreeMike @discussions.mi crosoft.comwrot e in
message news:5DBCB6AF-010C-4B6F-B4C4-9152387554A5@mi crosoft.com...

>
>
"jim" wrote:
>

>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and
>any
>needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>
>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
>exes)
>and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd like
>something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>>
>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
>a
>single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite.
>It
>would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end
>user
>to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids DLL
>and .Net Version Hell.
>>
>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
>be
>it.
>>
>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
>per
>copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>
>Thanks!
>>
>jim
>>
>>

>
I may be missing your goal with this, but, it looks like these tools are
designed to create something similar to what VMWare does, a distributable
preconfigured machine. Have you looked at VMWare? If so, does it lack
some
capability you need?

VMWare is great. However (if I understand the creation of virtual
appliances correctly), it carries with it a HUGE overhead because it wraps
up the entire OS with your virtual appliance. Virtual appliances created
for/from VMWare also require a license for every copy if you distribute any
proprietary operating system (like Windows XP, Vista, 2003 Server, etc.) in
your virtual appliance - that's why virtually every virtual appliance you
see is done with Linux.

jim

[Coskun SUNALI [MVP]]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Hi,

If you are looking from the angle of a hobby, I can suggest you using
InnoSetup (free) http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php . It is really
successful.

If you need further help with using it, I will be looking forward to hear.

--
All the best,
Coskun SUNALI
MVP ASP/ASP.NET

http://sunali.com

"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and any
>needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>
I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But, I'd
like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>
This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application suite.
It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require the end
user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It also avoids
DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>
If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
be it.
>
If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>
Thanks!
>
jim
>

[jim]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Wow! A little reading goes a long way people.

Thinstall and Xenocode are NOT installation applications! They are
essentially application wrappers that create virtual registry entries and
virtual directory structures that exist only while the application is
running. They wrap all files (DLLs, COM controls, etc.) into a single
executable that can be run with no admin permissions or the alteration of
the operating system. Thinstall/Xenocode applications do not require the
installation of the .Net framework to run .Net applications because they
extract the needed .Net framework libraries and include them in the single,
wrapped EXE.

https://www.thinstall.com

https://www.xenocode.com

Read about them before you post. I'm sure that you'll agree that this is
something that is missing in .Net studio.

jim


"Coskun SUNALI [MVP]" <Coskun@SUNALI. comwrote in message
news:uqKuQfISIH A.1164@TK2MSFTN GP02.phx.gbl...

Hi,
>
If you are looking from the angle of a hobby, I can suggest you using
InnoSetup (free) http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php . It is really
successful.
>
If you need further help with using it, I will be looking forward to hear.
>
--
All the best,
Coskun SUNALI
MVP ASP/ASP.NET

http://sunali.com

>
>
"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:e7Lcj.2819 3$Mu4.22146@big news7.bellsouth .net...

>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application (and
>>any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>
>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for your
>exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your exe). But,
>I'd like something that is actually affordable for a hobbyist programmer.
>>
>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and ship it as
>a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net application
>suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation and not even require
>the end user to have .Net installed or to install the application. It
>also avoids DLL and .Net Version Hell.
>>
>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies should
>be it.
>>
>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not require
>per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>
>Thanks!
>>
>jim
>>

>

[Michael Nemtsev [MVP]]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Hello jim,

jThat's quite interesting. Just how do you cover #4 with Windows
jInstaller? Is there a new function that will stop DLLs from being
joverwritten or that will accomodate differences in .Net versions
j(like when hotfixes are installed to patch .Net problems)?

no, it up to u how u are going to disturb this
I suppose u select the Xenodcode not only for this option?

jOr how about #5 (smaller distributions - remember that Windows
jInstaller REQUIRES the .Net runtimes be installed if they are not
jalready and that WI does not compress the executable like Thinstall
jand Xenocode).

there are some wrappers (like inno) which wrap WI functionality and provide
compression

jAs far as #6 is concerned, Windows Installer actively blocks code
jthat would access files (as most code that is useful does) if it is
jrun from the network or insternet. The Thinstall/Xenocode wrapped
japps retain all functionality.

installer has no relation to assembly trust level - what blocks to run it
from network
u need to set the correct trust level

jAnd, (might as well mention it since we are comparing Windows
jInstaller and Thinstall/Xenocode) Windows Installer requires
jadministrator privileges to do most installs. Using Thinstall (not
jsure about ), you don't need admin permissions to run the
jexecutable (no matter its functionality) because nothing is every
j"installed" on the system (no registry entries needed, no install to
jrun). That'd be #7 - for those counting at home.


if nothing installed then how it works? :) I assume it installs smth but
u don't even noted this

Actually Im against these kind of tools, because it works for the small part
of winforms application and if you decided to extend your app - provide security,
CAS and etc u can hardly predict how it affects yout Xenocode wrapper app


---
WBR,
Michael Nemtsev [.NET/C# MVP] :: blog: http://spaces.live.com/laflour

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we
miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" (c) Michelangelo

j>
j"Michael Nemtsev [MVP]" <nemtsev@msn.co mwrote in message
jnews:3d9fba1a2 22b18ca16f88319 2660@msnews.mic rosoft.com...
j>

>Hello jim,
>>
>ok, what's from that list cant be done with Windows Installer? :)
>except the point 3 the Windows Installed can do the same things,
>maybe not so silently
>>
>---
>WBR, Michael Nemtsev [.NET/C# MVP] :: blog:
>http://spaces.live.com/laflour
>"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high
>and we
>miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" (c) Michelangelo
>jFor several reasons.....
>jj1) An application is just the first step. I plan on coding
>.Net
>japplication s. The request has to do with distribution of those
>japplication s - not coding the applications.
>jj2) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from
>a
>jsingle EXE - no application need be installed.
>jj3) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run
>without
>j.Net installed.
>jj4) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode do not suffer
>from
>jDLL or .Net version hell.
>jj5) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode are smaller
>than
>j.Net + Application installs.
>jj6) Applications wrapped by Thinstall or Xenodcode can run from
>a USB
>jdrive or (if Thinstalled) be streamed over a network with no
>jinstallatio n whatsoever (not even copying the exe).
>jjPlease read up on Thinstall and Xenocode at
>http://www.thinstall.com/
>jand http://www.xenocode.com/. Once you do, you too will wonder
>just
>jwhy we don't have this functionality in .Net.
>jjjim
>jj"ThatsIT.net .au" <me@thatsitwrot e in message
>jnews:1E20AF 5C-0719-418A-B50F-3FE525B245DB@mi crosoft.com...
>j>

>>>Do you have Visual Studio 2005? If so why not make a windows
>>>applicatio n?
>>>>
>>>"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
>>>news:e7Lcj.2 8193$Mu4.22146@ bignews7.bellso uth.net...
>>>>I am looking for an application that will wrap my .Net application
>>>>(and any needed .Net parts) into a single exe.
>>>>>
>>>>I know of Thinstall ($4,000 for application and per copy fees for
>>>>your exes) and of Xenocode (~$1,500 plus ~ $12 per copy of your
>>>>exe). But, I'd like something that is actually affordable for a
>>>>hobbyist programmer.
>>>>>
>>>>This capability (Thinstall's being able to wrap a .Net app and
>>>>ship it as a single exe) would be a FANTASTIC addition to the .Net
>>>>applicati on suite. It would simplify the shipping & installation
>>>>and not even require the end user to have .Net installed or to
>>>>install the application. It also avoids DLL and .Net Version
>>>>Hell.
>>>>>
>>>>If Microsoft was going to buy something, one of these technologies
>>>>should be it.
>>>>>
>>>>If you know of anything like Thinstall or Xenocode that does not
>>>>require per copy fees, I'd really appreciate a pointer to it.
>>>>>
>>>>Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>jim
>>>>>

[Michael Nemtsev [MVP]]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Hello jim,

jRead about them before you post. I'm sure that you'll agree that this
jis something that is missing in .Net studio
j>

why is it important? :)

---
WBR,
Michael Nemtsev [.NET/C# MVP] :: blog: http://spaces.live.com/laflour

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we
miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" (c) Michelangelo

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Re: .Net packaging/wrapper application?

Hi,




"jim" <jim@home.netwr ote in message
news:PEMcj.2822 8$Mu4.12558@big news7.bellsouth .net...

Kevin,
>
While I certainly appreciate your willingness to peck out those URLs, they
are in no way whatsoever related to the functionality of the applications
that I mentioned (Thinstall and Xenocode).

Windows Installer does not wrap the executable and associated files into a
single executable. Windows Installer does not allow a user to run a .Net
application without having .Net installed. Windows Installer does not
obfuscate the executable contents. Windows Installer does not allow you
to create no-install applications that will run without being "installed"
on the end users PC (simply copy the created executable and run - no .Net
install & no application install needed).

Maybe that is why it's soo expensive :)

Kevin's suggestion is the best you could do with "free" tools.

You can always pack everything in a single compacted .EXE and do your
installation like that.

--
Ignacio Machin

http://www.laceupsolutions.com

Mobile & warehouse Solutions.