MINDVISION SHIPS UPDATE TO POPULAR MAC OS X INSTALLER
Installer VISE 7.1 adds even more support for Mac OS X installs
SAN FRANCISCO – January 9, 2001: MindVision Software has provided Mac OS X
installation solutions since May 2000. Now, with the release of Installer
VISE(tm) 7.1 at Macworld Expo, it’s even easier to build install targets to
both Classic Mac OS and Mac OS X.
“MindVision has always provided developers with rock-solid installation
solutions ahead of the competition. With this new release of Installer VISE
we have incorporated seven months of feedback from Mac OS X developers and
users to provide a polished, mature solution for building Classic Mac OS
and Mac OS X installers,” said MindVision CTO Steve Kiene. “MindVision has
always invested heavily in Apple’s future, and our support for Mac OS X is
no exception. As our competition scales back their software delivery
solutions, we continue to add more value to our product line.”
Fully-functional copies of Installer VISE 7.1 are available for downloading
at http://www.mindvision.com/downloads.html.
WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 7.1
With Installer VISE 7.1, developers can deliver their Mac OS X applications
NOW. Features of the new Installer VISE include:
Easy conversion to Carbon installers
Virtually all Macintosh software developers rely on MindVision for their
installation tools. To leverage this large body of work, Installer VISE 7.1
builds Carbon installers from existing installer projects. The smooth
integration of a familiar tool with a new technology keeps today’s
installers in step with the future.
One installer executable for System 7 through Mac OS X
Installer VISE now builds installers for Classic (68K), PowerPC, Carbon and
FAT Carbon platforms. As in previous versions, it can build all installers
from the same archive.
FAT Carbon installers store executable code for PowerPC and Carbon
platforms in a single executable. This allows one installer to run on
anything from Mac System 7.0 to the latest Mac OS X systems.
Behind-the-scenes installs
Installer VISE 7.1 can build a data file containing all necessary files and
install information. Applications can then call MindVision’s new shared
library to install files as specified in this data file. This performs
installations without displaying a traditional installer interface. It is
useful in situations where you don’t need to give the user install options,
such as for self-healing applications, or first-run installers.
The data file option is available for PowerPC and Carbon formats.
Mac OS X compatibility
In compliance with Carbon requirements, Installer VISE now uses Open
Transport for networking protocols. Other new features include support for
Navigation Services and the Appearance Manager. These allow developers to
enhance the user’s experience in navigation and file management.
Uses Mac OS X install locations
With newly added support for domains, Installer VISE allows your installers
to use Mac OS X domains when looking for install locations.
Detection of user’s access privileges
On Mac OS X, Installer VISE gives you the ability to detect the user’s
access privileges, and allow installs based on that information. Users will
know whether they have the proper access privileges before – rather than
after – the installation begins.
Support for Mac OS X large icons
Now your icons can match the rest of the Mac OS X landscape. Installer VISE
supports 128×128 pixel icons for crisp display on Apple’s Aqua interface.
Run custom code according to the OS
At runtime, FAT Carbon installers can call external code for either PowerPC
or Carbon platforms, according to the OS in use.
Tightly integrated e-commerce support
Installer VISE integrates seamlessly with eSellerate(tm), our sister
company’s comprehensive e-commerce tool kit.
WHAT INSTALLER VISE CUSTOMERS ALREADY EXPECT FROM US
Best Industry Support. MindVision is known for its unmatched dedication to
customer support. MindVision provides support for the same low price as
always – FREE!
Best Community Commitment. MindVision was founded by small, independent
developers. Nobody knows how to support the shareware and freeware author
like we do. MindVision offers free, full strength installer tools to
qualified independent-minded developers.
Deep and wide feature set. Installer VISE was designed specifically to meet
the needs of our thousands of customers, from the smallest to the largest.
Installer VISE is used to build the most complicated software installations
on both Macintosh and Windows.
Mac OS Commitment. Installer VISE supports the very latest system software
features. We are there for our customers who support the latest Apple
technologies.
100% solution. MindVision always takes the extra time to research all the
minute details and provide a complete solution for any given feature. Extra
effort in adding extensive support for Mac OS X domains and user accounts
makes Installer VISE the only choice for developers who want top-notch
solutions.
Features you can’t get anywhere else, including:
* Archive libraries to easily modularize your installer
* C-like variables to graphically add programming-level power to your
installer
* Build directives to customize your installers for multiple purposes
* Task assistants to make getting started and putting the polish on
installers easier than ever
POINTS OF COMPARISON
When comparing installer tools, here are some points worth considering:
Industry acceptance. Installer VISE is used by Apple, Microsoft, Adobe,
Macromedia, Metrowerks, id, AOL, Symantec, Dantz, Intuit, Kodak, MacSoft,
Netscape, Connectix, and thousands of other software companies. Most of
them used to use our competitor’s product, but now they’ve come to rely on
MindVision and Installer VISE.
Innovation. Installer VISE has consistently been first to market with the
powerful features customers want. But don’t just take our word for it – we
encourage you to compare for yourself.
A company focused on developers. MindVision has been selling installation
tools for over 8 years.
World-ready. Installer VISE can create installers in 16 languages.
Macintosh and Windows installers. Many Mac software companies also produce
Windows versions of their products. By offering installers for both
platforms, we eliminate the headache of using a cryptic, script-based
Windows installer.
Installer VISE Lite. We offer a tightly-focused, low-cost alternative for
smaller Macintosh customers.
We care. We always have, and always will offer our installer tools for free
to shareware developers. We don’t limit our offer to one year.
ABOUT MINDVISION
Founded in 1987, MindVision Software is a recognized industry leader
specializing in software delivery systems for Macintosh and Windows.
Installer VISE has long been the industry standard installer for the
Macintosh, and is rapidly gaining recognition as an excellent choice for
Windows. Thousands of software companies, including Apple, Adobe,
Microsoft, Netscape, Macromedia, AOL, Connectix and FileMaker have come to
rely on our software to deliver professional, easy-to-use installers to
their customers.
Fully-functional evaluation copies of MindVision products can be obtained
directly from the MindVision web site, by calling (402) 323-6600, or by
sending e-mail to sales@mindvision.com.