🚀 go-pugleaf

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