[Pythonmac-SIG] Creating Installer for my py2app-generated bundle

[Kevin Walzer]

Paul McNett wrote:
> Kevin Walzer wrote:
>> Paul McNett wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I've successfully created my application bundle (a wxPython-based 
>>> application) using py2app and now I want to create an installer 
>>> inside a compressed dmg.
>>>
>>> I'm having trouble finding examples of how to do this. I've tried 
>>> running bdist_mpkg which seems to result in a nearly empty package. 
>>> Am I on the right track?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>> Paul
>>
>> Unless there's a specific reason, an installer is seldom the right way 
>> to go on the Mac. Apps are supposed to be standalone and installable 
>> via drag-and-drop. The DMG is fine, but if the app is self-contained, 
>> don't worry about the installer.
> 
> It's a commercial app and the lawyers have stated that the users need to 
> agree to the license terms with every install or upgrade. It seems to me 
> having the user walk through the (now ubiquitous - I think 80% of apps 
> I've installed recently come with a installer) Installer.app steps is 
> the most comfortable way to accomplish this.
> 
> But... you are right. The drag-drop of the bundle is working just fine 
> and I guess I could have them agree to the license every time they run 
> the app. ;)
> 
> On Windows I use py2exe and INNOSetup to produce a single-file 
> installer. The lawyers love the result. The app can look for updates 
> online, download, and run the new installer. I'd just like it to be as 
> similar an experience as possible on Mac.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 

You can add a license file to the DMG that appears when the DMG is 
launched. There's a bit of hacking/black magic involved in this; 
buildDMG from ObjectPArk (http://www.objectpark.org/buildDMG.html) is a 
Perl script that automates the process. Commercial tools like DropDMG 
can also handle it. (http://c-command.com/dropdmg/), and I think DropDMG 
has a command-line component.

-- 
Kevin Walzer
Code by Kevin
http://www.codebykevin.com