Software Deployment

Nice.

I'll pick it up when it's released.

To what other book are you referring?

Not a bad book- I have a copy myself, but this book on the Windows Installer and the book we are working on about packaging will have little overlap.

The only book I've seen in English that covers this topic is Bob Baker's and Bob Dickau's "Application Repackager and Software Deployment".
It was really poor and is now very outdated.

I have high-hopes for your book and will be buying it as soon as it's available.

Will the latest Windows Installer be touched on?

Amazon availability will be very likely- can you have a book that isn't available through Amazon? ;)

Nelson and Danielle do alot of speaking engagements, much more than I, but you can bet we'll be promoting it. A signed copy though? That would be a real collectable, probably worth thousands!

Thanks- yes the book you mentioned could definitely use an update- and it is geared twoard users of AdminStudio. We intend to cover both AdminStudio and Package Studio- while focusing on the processes and how they relate to the various tools out there.

Yes, we will definitely tough on the latest Windows Installer- Vista will ship with v4.

Looks like I will have to get me a copy.[;)]

I don't want to get off topic, but here's my favorite line from Bob Baker's book:

"A pointer to an interface is actually a pointer to a pointer to the table that holds the pointers to the methods implemented by the COM server."

For the love of god.

ORIGINAL: bkelly

I wanted to share with you all that I'm working with Nelson and Danielle Ruest (www.reso-net.com) on a book that will cover many aspects of repackaging.


I am intrigued by your book and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

lol

(but as long as you ask: here)

Will a newbie to packaging understand your book? I'm interested in learning packaging. Thanks.

Yes. It will be for both the new and experienced, covering how to establish a solid process for repackaging. While information on how to repackage will be covered, just how to do it is available in the documentation for each product. It is the stringing together of these how-to's with best practices and specific guidance that will be the core focus of the book.

Thanks,
Bob

Any ETA? I've gotta train ten guys next month and I need resource material.

It won't be ready that quickly- my best guess would be early second quarter 2006 (could be sooner, could be later- that is only a guess).

Very interested to read this when it comes out.



Hopefully we can get it here in Oz.[:)]

Speaking of books ... anyone know if the german "Windows Installer 3.1" Book written by Andreas Kerl is available in english? No luck on Amazon, only in german

Yeah, i got that one .. didn't really sweep my feet off the ground thou, but as its pointed out in this thread already there aren't that many books to chose from

Looking forward to your packaging book bkelly

Hi Bob

It's been too long when are you releasing this book, hope you ship this to India! so that I can order it...

I'm sorry to report that the publishers out there are not biting. We wrote almost half the content before determining there is no mass market for such a book. We still plan to write something together (Nelson, Danielle and I) but plans are on hold for now. I'm keeping the notification page up so we can help prove interest to publishers, but we may even go the self-publish route just to get a book we feel is important in the right hands.

Thanks,
Bob

Don't be discouraged, Bob, I think there will be a market for it, or a book much like it.
I, like others here, am surprised at the shallowness of the 3rd party offerings on Windows installer and packaging. Pretty thin compared to the complexity of the subject. Hope you post some online, would love to see it. IIRC you won't be able to use setup.exe on Windows Vista, it'll have to be Windows Installer. MORE repackaging.....!

Hi Bob:

I think people require expert's advice (like you) to be with them 24x7 and I think by publishing this book of yours it would be a great help to the newbies in this world of packaging/repackaging. If you want I can be some help to you especially for Indian Market since this would be a hotseller in Indian Market for sure!!!.

If we as packager compile a knowledge database on a website, I with the help of someone can make order of it and self-publish in China for as little as .44 cents a copy. Anyone in?

A decent book is a great idea.
I think it's only resources like this one and the wise newsgroups that are any good at the moment but a decent book would help people starting out especially.
I've been packaging for 5+ years now and have had to pick it up as I've gone along.

I'm interested to know if what aogilmor says about Vista only accepting msi's is confirmed?

Microsoft were obviously going to go that way. But Vista migrations will be a bonanza time in the packaging world if it's true

self-publish as an ebook and charge a nominal fee $20-$30

Oh man.. I just saw this post. So it's not coming out now? Weak. I would have paid $200 - $300 for a quality book on the subject. I'm tasked with training people in packaging for different clients and I never have a reference book. I'm just stuck with the courseware from InstallShield or Wise... If I had a book I'd buy one, and buy a copy for every client that I work with.

I think the pdf idea is a good one. Just knock each chapter out as a pdf and charge $20 a chapter. That way you can release what you've got so far.

Hi Bob,

I would gladly pay £20 via PayPal for an E-Book, I was looking forward to the book! [&:]

Hope things work out for you on this!

Regards,

Barry

This entire thread tells us that editors are wrong, there is a need for such a book and is is high time that we finish what we started. We just presented a session on packaging at MMS 2006 to a lot of attendees, There is interest.That said, Danielle, Bob and I need ho rethink how we can put this out. Stay tuned for more information. Danielle and Nelson

Guys, however and whatever it takes please release the book.
I'm ready for anykind of help anytime anywhere for repackaging.

I like the idea of an e-book in pdf format as well. Usually I prefer more a printed book than a e-book however in that case I'd buy that e-book to support you. And that way I have it with me all the time.
Finally I bet it would be easier to spread that book all around the world that way...

I feel proud to be a part of this unique area (packaging) so many people and so many good reviews about this book. It's a great feeling although I am not publishing or writing this book atall but certainly it makes me feel great that I am involved in this arena and feeling great of being an AppDeploy member. Thanks! Bob for making all of us feel this way, I think I would also buy the idea of getting this book in pdf format. What say Bob?

I really appreciate the support here-- between the interest Nelson and Danielle's presentation generated and the clear demand right here, we will definitely do something. If we can't sell it to a publisher, we will go the eBook route here if that is what it takes. We need to collect what we have written and regroup to get things rolling again in the right direction. I won't guess to say when it will be ready, but you can count on me keeping everyone up to date right here.

Thanks alot everyone!

Hi Everybody,

We went to TechEd and discovered that more and more focus is going on Application Virtualization with Altiris releasing Software Virtualization and winning best new product once again as well as integrating with Wise Package Studio and Microsoft buying Softricity, it seems that MSI is becoming moot. Right now there is a lot up in the air in terms of how this will pan out. But one thing is sure, the future of applications on Windows is virtualization. So a book on MSI packaging may be past its time. But a book on packaging as a whole, especially packaging for virtualization is definitely necessary. Ideas? Comments!

Danielle and Nelson

Well.. I don't know if that's entirely true. For instance, since HP bought Radia it's been selling well.. and Marimba and GPO are still out there. Those all require MSI.

I think we're stuck with MSI for at least the next 4 or 5 years. A lot of companies have just gotten to XP and won't be even looking at Vista for at least another 3 - 4 years.

I agree that virtualization is the future... but that future is still a long way off. Virtualization could be a couple of chapters in a repackaging book... but MSI would still be the meat.

I would agree with both Danielle/Nelson and Turbokitty, I think a book that covers packaging as a whole (that is including virtulisation and other upcoming topics) would be a great idea in spreading knowledge amongst the new and existing consultants in this arena. However it's also true that the companies are now moving to/rolling out to XP and thinking about Vista for these companies won't be possible at this stage and would take almost 3-4 years but if a book with such topics as mentioned above is released then the existing and new consultants would be all set to take this challenge!

Packaging skills will still be importent, maybe not that vital due to the layer "isolation". But there can still exist conflicts between layers (applications) that integrats with each other. The better the msi is installed to the layer the better in the end, also true for packages without virtualization solutions. I have been testing SVS (Altiris Virtulization Solution) for a while (also during the beta) and there exist many aspects that could go wrong with none clean package. Also the self-healing could solve many problems not beeing solved through SVS directly.

There already exist books covering packaging as a whole so packaging in depth would still be a good choice.

As a noobie to the packaging world, any reference books would be great. I am learning purely by this site and by user manuals and a co-worker. Luckily my co-worker is knowledgeable but it would be nice to learn something on my own.

I'd be interested in a e-book if it becomes available.

-my 2 cents

<Homer Simpson voice>

Mmmmm... noobies.




*that was much funnier before Ben edited his reply.

Have you looked into lulu.com? It could be an affordable way to publish and distribute. I really want this book.

Okay-- it is not a book only on Windows Installer (the chapter on MSI is pretty much the free one we posted last year, just updated) but we did finally publish a book together: Deploying and Administering Windows Vista Bible. Its contents align with what most of us who spend time at AppDeploy do day to day:

The first eight chapters (by myself) cover planning the deployment, creating basic Windows images, managing licensing and activation, working with Windows Installer, migrating user data, managing windows images, using MDT 2008, and using Windows Deployment services. The remaining chapters (by Nelson and Danielle) cover managing change in Vista, administering workstations, securing the workstation, protecting user data and recovering damaged systems and lost data.

This book started over a year ago so it is nice to report it is finally available today: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470180218

Awesome. I'm going to pickup a copy.

Looks good, going to get a copy for my self as well.