Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cornell!batcomputer!mha From: mha@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Mark H. Anbinder) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Installer lobotomized in 6.0.4 Message-ID: <9090@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu> Date: 19 Oct 89 13:59:10 GMT Reply-To: mha@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu (Mark H. Anbinder) Organization: Baka Industries, Ithaca, New York Lines: 57 The new Installer software that comes with System 6.0.4 disks is much prettier than the old version, and is certainly more intuitive for the average user. Unfortunately, Apple has taken away some of the functionality that existed in the old version, and, IMHO, the changes are not for the better. The worst change in my mind is the fact that the Installer will no longer simply add new system resources to whatever folder on disk is the Blessed folder (the current system folder). Instead, it seems to look for a folder called "System Folder," and if there isn't, it CREATES one, even if there's a blessed folder with a different name already present. This is very bad, for more than one reason. While a large percentage of the tech support problems we handle can be blamed on users putting multiple system folders on their drives by mistake, there ARE valid reasons for having more than one system folder on your disk and using something like The Blesser to switch between them. For the Installer to ignore users who are taking advantage of such capabilities is not appropriate. Also, keep in mind that Inside Macintosh tells programmers NOT to assume that names of files and folders will stay the same, because the Mac interface lets users customize their desktop. Another problem with the new Installer is that it installs all of the fonts and desk accessories that come with the system update, whether you want them or not. I can almost see the program installing any standard desk accessories that aren't in the pre-existing System, but it should NOT be installing the full set of Apple fonts and LaserWriter fonts. Many users don't need or use all of them, and should be able to install them as needed, like before. Also, many users at this point are using software like Suitcase II or MasterJuggler (or Font/DA Juggler) so that they can keep their fonts and DA's OUT of the System file and in separate, even multiple, suitcase files. The new Installer doesn't STOP users from doing that, but it certainly makes it a pain: you now have to take all of the excess fonts and DA's OUT of your System. Especially when people have placed extra font sizes of certain fonts in suitcases, which can't be accessed if there are any sizes of that font in the System, this is a real problem. My suggestion would be that the Installer install the REQUIRED fonts, plus newer versions, if available, of any fonts or DA's that are ALREADY PRESENT in the System being installed into. The other fonts and DA's should be left, as before, in suitcase files that can be used, or not, at the user's discretion. And, by all means, the program should find the Blessed folder, OR ask the user to specify a folder to install into (which would make things easier for users with a legitimate reason for multiple system folders). Comments? -- Mark H. Anbinder ************************** mha@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu BAKA Industries ** (cornell!)biar!memory!mha 200 Pleasant Grove Rd. H: (607) 257-7587 ******** Ithaca, NY 14850 W: (607) 257-2070 ******* "It's not safe out here." Q