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Re: AdminCygwin Release


> Kitizo, I have an alternative solution that you may find helpful.  I
> have created a batch file that automates the process of installing and
> updating cygwin.  You can find the batch files at:
>   https://github.com/tschutter/AppData/tree/master/bin

Kizito better. :)


> The specific files you need are:
>   https://github.com/tschutter/AppData/blob/master/bin/cygwin_setup.bat
>   https://github.com/tschutter/AppData/blob/master/bin/cygwin_setup_config.bat
>
> The process is fairly simple:
>
> 1) Modify cygwin_setup_config.bat to match your site requirements.
> 2) Copy cygwin_setup.bat and cygwin_setup_config.bat to a target host.
> 3) Run cygwin_setup.bat on the target host.
> 4) Repeat 2 and 3 on your other hosts.
>
> IMHO, this has a number of advantages over a MSI solution:
>
> 1) You end up with a standard Cygwin installation.  If you have a
>    problem, you will be much more successful getting help from the
>    cygwin mailing list.
>
> 2) If you decide that you want an additional package on each host, you
>    just modify the config file and rerun cygwin_setup.bat on each
>    host.  No need to generate a new .msi file.
>
> 3) Updating packages is much simpler.  Just rerun cygwin_setup.bat
>    rather than uninstalling and reinstalling a .msi.
>
> 4) There is no need to release sources.
>
> There is also a batch file that can do a full uninstall:
>   https://github.com/tschutter/AppData/blob/master/bin/cygwin_uninstall.bat

What are you proposing? A msi build of your .bats ("a fast way to
distribute cygwin without cygwin") or include in the "AdminCygwin
release" your .bats?

Please, we need to move these discussions to cywin-talk list.

Thanks a lot for your time.



> On Tue 2014-01-21 15:51, Larry Hall (Cygwin) wrote:
>> On 1/21/2014 2:52 PM, BGINFO4X wrote:
>> >>>Hello everyone,
>> >>>
>> >>>I'm trying to create a "Small Admin Cywgin relase", called AdminCgwin.
>> >>>If it works, I will upload to sourceforge.
>> >>>
>> >>>These are the main lines:
>> >>>
>> >>>1- Create an installation windows package (.msi) with WIX.
>> >>>
>> >>>2- Default Installed packages: base + admin + apt-cyg.
>> >>>The remaining packages should be installed via apt-cyg
>> >>>
>> >>>3- Customize /etc/profile to use folders outside the "Installation
>> >>>folder".  Folders like Temp, Home must be out "cygwin installation
>> >>>folder".
>> >>>
>> >>>4- Customize Cygwin.bat to start in a folder with spaces.
>> >>>
>> >>>5- Launch a custom action after msi installation, to execute
>> >>>postinstall : 000-cygwin-post-install.sh.
>> >>>I will try to reset /etc/passwd & /etc/group to the "new SAM machine".
>> >>>
>> >>>Do you see any drawback that could broke cygwin? Do you have any
>> >>>recommendation? I really appreciate your comments.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>I see lots of potential issues with something like this:
>> >
>> >But .... any issue related to "broke cygwin behaviour"?
>>
>> Certainly this would have the potential to interfere with any existing
>> Cygwin installation.  Also, it's not clear to me that the post-install
>> scripts for the packages you're bundling in the MSI will be run.
>>
>> >>not the least of which is that it will be a burden for you to keep up-to-date.
>> >
>> >I will not try to keep up-to-date. Only "major releases" will produce
>> >a new .msi. Upgrades should be done via "apt-cyg".
>>
>> OK.  Obviously, depending on your audience, the multiple ways of installing
>> and upgrading may be a stumbling block.  Also, a subsequent installation of
>> Cygwin via setup*.exe could lead to problems.
>>
>> >>I think the question you have to ask yourself is what problem are you
>> >>trying to solve and can it be done within the context of setup*.exe
>> >>and the existing packages?
>> >
>> >Basically, the main idea is:
>> >
>> >1- Fast installation of the package (msi). Can be also installed
>> >massively via Active Directory or specialized programs.
>>
>> OK, I'll take your word that your MSI package is "better" in this
>> respect.
>>
>> >2- Fast administration of a windows machine once installed.
>>
>> Is there really a difference in usage once you've installed?  Seems to
>> me there should be no difference but I don't know what the particulars are
>> that you're thinking of.
>>
>> >3- Base platform for integration with other programs, like BGINFO4X or others.
>>
>> Again, it's not clear to me how the mechanism for installing Cygwin affects
>> this, unless you see your MSI as growing to encompass these other programs
>> as well.  If so, then your MSI has a value beyond installing Cygwin so
>> that's one advantage of your approach.  I will admit, however, that I am
>> no expert at building MSI installers so I can't make suggestions of
>> alternative ways to structure an MSI install to leverage Cygwin installer
>> and install other software as well.
>>
>> --
>> Larry
>>
>> _____________________________________________________________________
>>
>> A: Yes.
>> > Q: Are you sure?
>> >> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>> >>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?
>>
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>
> --
> Tom Schutter
>
> --
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