Administrator's Introduction to Application Repackaging and Software Deployment using Windows Installer [Paperback]

Bob Baker (Author), Robert Dickau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2002

InstallShield Software Corporation’s AdminStudio product answers every administrator need for repackaging a legacy application into the Windows Installer service (MSI) format for deployment on an MSI-based network such as Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Written by two authorities on the Windows Installer service, this book provides an in-depth review of the standard features and often-missed secrets for creating MSI packages. Baker and Dickau guide you through the intricacies of the Windows Installer service and the complete suite of complementary tools that come with AdminStudio. You learn to solve the most common repackaging tasks and discover techniques for handling the problems that can occur during and after installing a repackaged application in a locked-down environment. This new book from InstallShield Press continues the InstallShield Software Corporation commitment to the latest and best information on the complex world of software installation and management.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bob Baker (Schaumburg, IL) is the author of the the 2001 publication, The Official InstallShield for Windows Installer Developer's Guide. He joined InstallShield at the beginning of 1995 and has served as Program Manager for the InstallShield 3 product, Director of Product Support Services, and Technical Trainer focusing on tools that deal with the Windows Installer service. Bob holds a B.S. degree in engineering and an M.S. degree in computer science.

Robert Dickau is currently a Senior Technical Trainer for InstallShield Software Corporation, and the author of the InstallShield Developer, InstallShield Professional, and InstallShield MultiPlatform training materials. He has worked with the various versions of Windows Installer technology since its introduction in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 751 pages
• Publisher: InstallShield Press (November 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971570817
• ISBN-13: 978-0971570818
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,122,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written, and worst of all, unhelpful, May 28, 2004

By 

Pete Margolis (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Administrator's Introduction to Application Repackaging and Software Deployment using Windows Installer (Paperback)

This is a complete waste of money. It's poorly structured and written. I don't question that he knows his stuff, but he does a terrible job of getting it across. So badly that the information in it is useless.
Don't waste your money.
As an alternative, I highly recommend buying the courseware books from InstallShield. They're about $250, but far far far more useful.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For the rest of us..., February 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Administrator's Introduction to Application Repackaging and Software Deployment using Windows Installer (Paperback)

Any book from InstallShield will target, market and promote the use of InstallShield's packaging tools. I've found the range of books from InstallShield to only contain approximately 30% of useful material for those not contemplating using InstallShield's development tools.

The only book which had a generic focus on Windows Installer has been Mike Gunderloy's book. I say "had" because it is no longer in print.

If you are not planning to commit your investment in Installshield's products, I would not recommend any book from InstallShield Corporation given cost and the overall content which will be applicable to your MSI development efforts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!!!, October 1, 2003

By 

Robert Lucado (Gordonsville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Administrator's Introduction to Application Repackaging and Software Deployment using Windows Installer (Paperback)

This book is a Windows Installer/AdminStudio Bible. I was new to AdminStudio but this book greatly shortened the learning curve. Any one responsible for the cradle-to-grave management of software will find this purchase to be money well spent. This will be useful to Sys Admins (like myself) who are responsible for software packaging and deployments as well as software developers who author Windows Installer packages.