Wise for Windows Installer Std or InstallShield Express? 2

[AndrewBaines]

What are the pros and cons between Wise and InstallShield? I've looked at evals and prefer the interface in Wise.
However, Wise Std only creates MSI files.
InstallShield Express also creates EXEs.
What's involved in distributing MSI? Do I need to bundle a load of other stuff?

Thanks Andrew Baines
Chase International

 

[nicholasb]

Hi Andrew, I evaluated both InstallShield Express and Wise some years ago and recently and purchased Wise on both occasions. On the standard edition of Wise for Windows Installer you can create custom dialogs and have a script editor which is not available in IS Express. Wise can create an EXE by the way, which enables you to pre install Windows Installer and the .NET Framework if required. I agree that the GUID in Wise is much better than InstallShield and it's more intuitive, however I have found the support in KB and books InstallShield is much better. Neither of these two products will give you a debugger, Wise will enable you to install a COM+ application which has been exported from Component Services as an MSI by using the Wise Script, IS does not allow this. Please don't think I hate IS though as I have the InstallShield for Windows Installer and are currently considering upgrading to IS Developer 7 for advanced installs.

Using MSI (Windows Installer) once the client has this on there PC the install size is much smaller, so for web deployment it is a great benefit.

I hope this helps.

Nick

 

[wo321]

you can purchase the professional edition of WWI. in that, you can create a exe file and can give a protect using password.

 

[madongolf]

Wise will produce exes....