Setup.Exe - a Download, but not Really - Hilton Giesenow's Jumbled Mind

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Setup.Exe - a Download, but not Really

I've been downloading a couple of things from MS lately (like the WinFX September CTP), and I am getting really annoyed by having to download setup files that do very little but download the actual install files. I download during the day at the office because I don't have a connection at home at the moment, but I only get to install and play with the stuff after hours. However at home, when I finally get to look at the files I don't actually have them!

Am I the only one that is annoyed by this. I mean, what's the point? These are technical downloads (SDKs, etc.). You would hope the people that get these downloads can choose from a simple menu like x86 or x64, and download real installs! Yes, sometimes the option does appear at the bottom of the page, but not always, and I still don't get the point anyway. You're just adding another 3mb download.

OK, gripe over, Have a Nice Day

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Posted: Nov 09 2005, 05:07 PM by hiltong | with 4 comment(s)
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Comments

Senkwe said:

I think that only applies to CTP's in general. You have to keep in mind that CTP's are not like Betas, they're not meant to be polished enough to have proper (convenient) setup packages. But I feel your pain nevertheless :-)
# November 10, 2005 9:59 AM

Prieur du Plessis said:

When searching for the install file you need include "redistributable". This usually gives you links to the complete install files. Hope it helps :)
# November 10, 2005 10:13 AM

hiltong said:

Thanks for the feedback, but I've found that this occurs with a number of setups, not just from MS, and not just CTPs. Also, sometimes no option is provided for a "redistributable". I still don't see the point of the bootstrapper?
# November 10, 2005 1:34 PM

Prieur du Plessis said:

The only use I can see for the bootstrapper is to curve the illegal, or unwanted, redistribution of software, especially MSDN subscriber based installs and so forth.

Thats probably why IE, DirectX and service packs etc come with a redis package, because MS encourages developers to include it in their software solutions and thus freeing the end client from the download.
# November 11, 2005 6:24 AM
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