Installer Suggestions/Enhancements

Raven · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:44 am

I am looking for your blue sky wishes/comments for future releases concerning the Ravenstaller(tm) - The RavenNuke(tm) Installer. How can it be improved upon? What would make it even easier to use? This is your chance, take advantage of it Wink

horrorcode · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:08 pm

Alot to think about there... I for one think it would be nice to choose what modules and blocks are either installed or activated by default, same goes for themes, that may be alot to ask for though.

At the very least, not sure if this is present already, just being able to choose which theme is "default" would be nice.

nuken · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:33 pm

One thing I would like to see is a minimal install option with a striped down version for testing purposes. Example no nuke sentinel, basic modules, themes and blocks. Maybe like a thumb drive install option. This would not be a production site install just testing use only.

horrorcode · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:13 pm

How about the minimal version with something like a plug-ins pack?

Example, download the base with the installer, core files etc, and just the raven ice/ct_rn theme, stripping all modules/blocks except for News, Submit News and Your Account, and maybe just leave the info block. Leaving out the forums considering theyll be seperate anyways(?)

Then give the option during install to choose whats been uploaded to the modules/blocks/themes directory, maybe displaying an output of the directory, then allowing the choice of whats active after install. Of course giving a link in there to download the plug-ins if you havent already.

duck · Involved Joined: Jul 03, 2006 Posts: 267

Remote instalation. IE no download upload ftp by user just run the install point it to the server you want to install to and whammo! Laughing

montego · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:27 am

horrorcode wrote:

How about the minimal version with something like a plug-ins pack?

Example, download the base with the installer, core files etc, and just the raven ice/ct_rn theme, stripping all modules/blocks except for News, Submit News and Your Account, and maybe just leave the info block. Leaving out the forums considering theyll be seperate anyways(?)

Then give the option during install to choose whats been uploaded to the modules/blocks/themes directory, maybe displaying an output of the directory, then allowing the choice of whats active after install. Of course giving a link in there to download the plug-ins if you havent already.

I second this motion. I rather like this idea. Always load the core and then have more of a "plug-ins" approach. Some of these are highly dependent upon each other, but others are clearly separate.

evaders99 · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:32 pm

Modules truly need to be "modular" for this to happen Smile

I think we can work on it.

Raven · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:08 pm

Thanks for all who have responded and we will look into this. We actually have a similar approach already in our enhancement tracking form about a year ago Wink

. What I'd also like to hear feedback on has to do with the installer functionality when it comes to environment checking issues, as an example, in order to make the installs as painless as possible. It does no real good to offer all the caveats, some that are mentioned already, if the core installation isn't able to set the system up. I have added the pre-installation checks. Do there need to be more? Does there need to be a post install check? If so, what would/should it contain?

horrorcode · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:47 am

Maybe a way to check cookie settings, know thats an issue.

Would have to install to test but some way to check if the install was complete, check db, files extracted, etc, and then if this passed delete the install files from the server, might be far fetched though.

Would be nice to see the db results, more on checking the god account, cant remember how that worked but maybe a login on complete.

NeapolitanWorld · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:53 pm

I think your install is excellent. If anything perhaps during install add step where you can say yes or no to things like montego short links and other from rnconfig and add-ons, instead of having to do it after.
I think video tutorials would help. How to install. This last point some what not related to your question but I have seen it before and prevents a lot of forum post and questions...seen this with drupal...

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testy1 · Involved Joined: Apr 06, 2008 Posts: 483

some things come to mind, basically to keep support to a minimum.

automatic cookie configuration
ability to set-up the config file from the installer.(The config file is auto generated during install)
Permission setting if thats not already incorporated
automatic deletion of the files after successful install.
site key automatically generated e.g. md5 the domain name + random salt
nukeurl entry in installer with an example of what it should be like sentinel does with htaccess path.

I've always thought the mambo installer was nice, if your after something to compare to.

Some of this may be already available, I just started typing Smile

Guardian2003 · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:23 am

I like the installer and I would like the INSTALLATION directory to always remain stand alone and independent so that all a user has to do to see if RN will work in their particular environment is to upload that specific directory and run the pre-install check.

Although as I have said, the installer is really nice but I would prefer the use of some nice green glossy 'check' images and red glossy X images where appropriate just to sex it up a bit (presentation and first impressions are always important).

Definitely need to keep on top of the file/directory writable permissions checks.

If an 'upgrade' process is detected, it would also be nice to offer a file checking utility to check for redundant files - possibly incorporate the utility file we already have for that?

testy1 · Involved Joined: Apr 06, 2008 Posts: 483

Guardian2003 wrote:

Although as I have said, the installer is really nice but I would prefer the use of some nice green glossy 'check' images and red glossy X images where appropriate just to sex it up a bit (presentation and first impressions are always important).

Done

And Done

what's next ROTFL