Graphical installers for tdm

[freyk 475]

When I browse trough the TDM forum, I notice that more beginners have difficulties to

"manual" install the darkmod.

(like unpack the updater in the right folder, run the updater, set the right permissions, create shortcuts, etc)

 

For these users I scripted some native graphical installers:

• Darkmod installer (windows), created with NSIS
• Darkmod installer (mac) (automaticly multi-language), created with iceberg
• Darkmod installer (crossplatform), created with izpack (darkmod forum topic)
• Darkmod software package - deb (linux debian/ubuntu/etc), created with dpkg-deb.
• Darkmod software package - rpm (redhat/centos/opensuse/etc), created with rpm-build.

Get the binaries and sources from my site (run the installer on your own risk).

 

I posted the also the sources, so the TDM-team and others can implement this in their installation procedure and improve the code.

I don’t have the time to improve/update/compile the installers for every released version myself.

So i’m hoping that someone in the TDM team (or someone else) would like to do that.

 

I would to hear what your thinking about it.

 

Status/bugs:

• Darkmod installer windows is ready to go.

  (successfully tested on windows 7/8, and runs with admin-rights).

• Darkmod installer mac, missing stuff like shortcuts, tdm binary not included) and the updater will not automaticly run after installation.
• Darkmod installer crossplatform missing stuff like shortcuts, tdm binary not included) and the updater will not automaticly run after installation.
• Darkmod software package deb, running with the package manager displays some warning messages. but it can be ignored.

Edited August 25, 2016 by freyk

[Lux 206]

Should the install directory be set to "C:\darkmod" or "C:\Games\darkmod" vs. Program Files? I think that would eliminate permission issues and also work better with DR as there are no spaces involved in the path.

[SeriousToni 481]

Wow looking good

[freyk 475]

Should the install directory be set to "C:\darkmod" or "C:\Games\darkmod" vs. Program Files? I think that would eliminate permission issues and also work better with DR as there are no spaces involved in the path.

Its not common to install software in other folders then program files.

The "old" standard location of doom 3 is also in the program files folder.

 

But users can change the darkmod location in the installer, Otherwise turn of uac.

The installer sets the shortcuts to run the game with administrator permissions.

Edited April 28, 2014 by freyk

[New Horizon 524]

For Darkmod it is better not to install to program files since spaces in the install path are known to cause issues when it comes to level editing. Having the installer default to program files is asking for trouble, especially when these installers are intended for people who already have trouble installing the mod. Inexperienced users tend to go with the defaults. It's asking for trouble, I would suggest c:\games as well.

[gnartsch 49]

At least a comment in the corresponding installer panel should indicate when and why you should use another path than the default one.

And to be honest: games should not require Admin permissions.

I don't whish to grant the permission to delete my entire hard disk (eventually) just because that is the easiest way to make the game run.

[SteveL 1042]

Nice work on the interface. They look good. But yeah, what're the admin privs for? I've never had to give TDM admin privs. Maybe that's only needed when installing in "program files", so TDM can write its logs there.

 

Using more folders than just a single "Program Files" to store programs is becoming more common I think, as more people have small SSDs that they want to use for static stuff that loads very many files very often. SSDs have limited writes per block, so I put anything with mutating files on a separate HDD, and the limited size of affordable SSDs means we have to prioritise even among static program files.

[SeriousToni 481]

Freyk, have you already changed the standard installation dir? Or do you keep this the way it was with Prgram Files?

[freyk 475]

I changed the default installation path and added an option to install shortcuts to run under admin permissions.

 

Please let me know what would you all like to changed/added to my darkmod installers?

(you can do it also yourselfs,..)

 

For an example, i can add a filedownloader to the windows installer, to download the core files. etc.

Edited May 17, 2014 by freyk

[freyk 475]

I think also that there is a need for linux softwarepackages (rpm/deb),

see this topic

[freyk 475]

I created a Debian software package, for the ones who like to install the updater on Ubuntu / debian linux-distributions.

(permissions and shortcuts included).

Get the an early version of the file and source from my site.

(i will repair the "security messages" that the packagemanager displays, when installing the deb)

Edited November 3, 2014 by freyk

[freyk 475]

Get an early unstable RPM package (with the source) from my site.

 

Bugs:

After installation all the files have executable permissions.

shortcuts doesnt work and have no icons.

TODO: must copy the .desktop files to the right folders.

[Bikerdude 3741]

Nice...

[Tels 278]

Get an early unstable RPM package (with the source) from my site.

 

Bugs:

After installation all the files have executable permissions.

shortcuts doesnt work and have no icons.

TODO: must copy the .desktop files to the right folders.

 

You are missing the "the" on the name

 

It is "The Dark Mod" (TDM) NOT "dark mod". Likewise, it is "thedarkmod.com", NOT darkmod.com

[freyk 475]

I have updated the windows installer.

If you find some bugs / advice / suggestions, please let me know.

 

changes and bugfixes

TDM installer Windows 1.0.3
- Added more text and graphic content in unstaller
- Changed the format of the installerscript, to make it more userfriendy.
- Added shortcut in Software Change/remove
- Added Component Descriptions
- Changed several textlabels.
- Changed the updater as a required component to install
- Changed (Commented out) codelines to create a placeholder for tdm.exe

Edited January 10, 2016 by freyk

[esme 149]

Should the install directory be set to "C:\darkmod" or "C:\Games\darkmod" vs. Program Files? I think that would eliminate permission issues and also work better with DR as there are no spaces involved in the path.

 

if spaces in pathnames are a problem then on windows 7 at least the short, compatibility names for folders are still available

 

"C:\Program Files" = "C:\Progra~1"

 

"C:\Program Files (X86)" = "C:\Progra~2"

 

Not sure if these are still active in later versions of windows

[freyk 475]

I have some difficulties creating the tdm-installers for Linux.

Because i dont know wich packages to install on a users system, to solve dependencies-problem.

(should i stick with extracting the updater and creating desktop shortcuts?)

 

@Linux users:

Which installation method do you prefer installing the tdm-updater, and which method shall i create for the linux-newbies?

install the tdm-updater using a software-package (rpm/deb/etc) or using a makeself installer (a graphical .run-file), besides extracting the tdm zip file?

 

Also can somebody tell me which applications apache friends use to create the xampp linux installer (7.0.1)?

(its a combination of a makeself container and,...?)

Edited January 17, 2016 by freyk

[bedhead 12]

I vote for rpm/deb

[Hiradur 45]

Extracting the .zip was fine for me but I think it would be best if TDM was installable from the official software repositories of major distributions. Linux newbies (should) know how to handle these and would not have the psychological hurdle to run an external installer which may not work well or require extra effort from their side.

[freyk 475]

Ok, i will continue making RPM's and DEB's for the updater then.

(The packagemanagers installs only the updater. by creating a folder with content in the /usr/share/games, sets the user permissions and places .desktop-files in the application menus.)

But running the updater and solve possible dependencies problems, must do the user manually.

 

I just uploaded updated RPM's for the updater to my site.

Could somebody test them?

Especially the running .desktop-files and downloading missions in TDM.

(I noticed only one bug: the updater doesn't stop downloading, when i close my terminal/console)

 

Next i'm going to work on the DEB's.

[freyk 475]

Here a up of my topic, to give you a status update:

 

I decided to create installers that only installs TDM-updater

(it also create the gamefolder, set permissions & shortcuts and give to user the advice to run the updater.)

The advantage to only install the updater, is that we dont have to update the installer every time when theres a update of TDM.

But the users do need to install other requirements manually if needed.

And publisch always the sourcecode when this is needed.

• TDM-installer - Windows:

  tested by several users and ready for publication.

• TDM-installer - PlayonLinux/PlayonMac:

  ready and publisched. (people can install TDM from this application)

• The installers - Linux distributions:

  are both 80% ready.

  At the moment i'm looking for a methods to run the updater from within in the packagemanagers.

  (the user can launch the updater also from the shortcuts)

• TDM installer - Steam OS

  Professorkaos64 is working on the installer to run tdm on Steam OS.

For this my thanks goes to Bikedude, Bedhead and Professorkaos64 for their contributions.

 

I'm looking for users who would like to test my installers (the more, the better) and/or give me pointers.

Get the executables from my personal site and the code from my github repo.

[Bikerdude 3741]

I suggest you start a new howto thread for each of your working installers and then link the thread from your personal and github sites.

[freyk 475]

Will do.

I want also mention a new version (v20160706) of my TDM-installer for Windows.
The binary and source can downloaded from my portfolio.

Notes:

• The tdm installer (windows) doesnt use TDM version numbers anymore. (but for the linux packages it can be a problem)
• To avoid file permissions problems, the installer set full control-permission for all users, to the TDM-folder.
• Added File description to the installer.

I would love to see my installer being intergrated in the TDM project.

Edited July 6, 2016 by freyk

[freyk 475]

TDM-Installer - Windows

• Download the "The Dark Mod installer Windows" executable package from: http://www.moddb.com/mods/the-dark-mod/downloads/the-dark-mod-204-gui-installer-windows
• Unpack the zip file and execute "tdm_installer"
• At the welcome screen, click "next"
• Read the licence and click "I agree"
• At the choose components-screen, click "Next".

  (or select the components you want to install)

• At the "choose install location", use the automaticly selected location for the gamefolder and click "install"

  (or change the location using the "browse" button)

• After the installation, in the "completeing the darkmod installer setup", click finisch. so the the system automaticly run the updater.

  (or if you dont want to run the updater, uncheck button "launch the dark mod updater" and click finisch)

• In the updater you only have to click "continue" to download automaticly the files.

notes

• Start TDM

  The game and updater can be executed via their startmenu/desktop shortcuts or directly from the tdm folder.

• Delete TDM

  The game and files can be uninstalled using the uninstaller via the startmenu or "software & components" (windows configuration screen > software and components > "the dark mod")

• Update TDM

  Run the updater using the menushortcut.

• To install TDM in programfiles-folder, please run the installer as administrator.

===

TDM Installer - Linux Distributions

 

DEB Package

(package is work in progress)

• Download the "The Dark Mod" deb package from: https://freyk.wordpress.com/tdm-installer/
• Save the package in your "downloads" folder.
• Go to your download folder and execute the deb-package.

  Or go to your terminal, navigate to the download file and run the following command: sudo dpkg -i darkmod.deb

• A package manager will appear to install the package. Please follow the needed steps.
• Run the tdm-updater.

  Manual: Open your terminal and enter the following command: cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./tdm_update.linux;

  Or run the updater using the menushortcut.

Notes

• TDM install

  Its possible you need install several packages if needed.

  If the package manager doesnt install the package, install the package manually:

  Open a terminal window.

  type in the following command, hit the enter-keyboardbutton and insert your password if needed:

  sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/thedarkmod.deb

• TDM Start

  you will find the Shortcuts in your applications menu.

  Or open a terminal and exectute the following command:

  cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./thedarkmod.x86

• TDM Update

  Run the updater, by using the menushortcut.

  Or open a terminal and exectute the following command:

  cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./tdm_update.linux

• TDM Delete

  Remove tdm using your packagemanager

  Or open a terminal, exectute the following command:

  sudo dpkg -r darkmod

• In the future the TDM-package will be publisched on popular repo's.

  So you can install/update tdm with your favorite packagemanager.

RPM Package

(package is work in progress)

• Download the "The Dark Mod" rpm package from: https://freyk.wordpress.com/tdm-installer/
• Save the package in your "downloads" folder.
• Go to your download folder and execute the rpm-package.

  Or open the terminal, navigate to the downloaded rpm-package and execute the following command:

  sudo rpm -ivh --ignorearch darkmod.rpm

• A package manager will appear to install the package. Please follow the needed steps.
• Run the tdm-updater.

  Manual: Open your terminal and enter the following command: cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./tdm_update.linux;

  Or run the updater using the desktopshortcut.

Notes

• TDM install

  Its possible you need install several packages if needed.

• TDM Start

  you will find the Shortcuts in your applications menu.

  Or open a terminal and exectute the following command:

  cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./thedarkmod.x86

• TDM Update

  Run the updater, by using the menushortcut.

  Or open a terminal and exectute the following command:

  cd /usr/share/games/darkmod; ./tdm_update.linux

• TDM Delete

  Remove tdm using your packagemanager or: sudo rpm -e darkmod

• In the future the TDM-package will be publisched on popular repo's.

  So you can install/update tdm with your favorite packagemanager.

======

TDM Installer - Mac (and Linux Distributions)

• first download and install PlayonMac / PlayonLinux
• start Pol/Pom (playonlinux/playonmac)
• Select the +-button (install).
• In the next window, select the "Games" button, click checkbox "no-cd needed".
• A popup window will appear to warn you about no-cd patched. Accept this by clicking the "OK"-button.
• Select "The Darkmod" and click on the "install" button.
• Several warning-popupwindows will appear, click the "ok" buttons, to accept them.
• The Pol/Pom installation wizard starts, select next.
• Select one of the three options and click on the "next"-button.

  my advice is to select the "online" option.

  (if you have the tdm_updater zip file, select "local updater zip" or if you have standalone darkmod 2.0, select "local standalone zip")

• automaticly the wizard installs the needed wine environment, the tdm-updater and shortcuts.
• a popupwindow can appear to install the mono installer, click on the "install" button.
• The pol/pom installation wizard would like to run the updater, click on the "next" button.
• The updater starts, click on the "continue"-button to download automaticly the needed game files.
• After the download procedure, close the updater. The Pol/Pom installation wizard creates some pol/pom shortcuts.
• The wizard shows the end-of-script window, click on "next".

Notes:

• Text in Pol/Pom are automaticly translated.
• TDM Start - you will find the Shortcuts to TDM in the pol/pom main window.
• TDM Delete - select configure button. In the next window select on the left side "TheDarkMod", click on the "remove"-button and accept the "remove virtual drive"-warning.
• TDM Update - Run the updater, by using the shortcut from the pol/pom main window.

======

 

Overall Notes

• The installer installs only the tdm updater, game folder and shortcuts.

  To install the game files, run the tdm updater after installation.

• The installers gives all users write-permissions to the TDM-gamefolder.

Edited August 12, 2016 by freyk

[freyk 475]

Just want to mention a test-version of TDM-installer Mac (v20160825).
(get it from my portfolio)

And introducing the TDM Launcher. An application that can start tdm and its updater from a menu.
(so i can create one single app-container for it)

I would like to hear your comments.
===
Installation TDM:

• Download and unpack the zip,
• mount the dmg-file, drag Thedarkmod to your applications home folder and close the folder.
• umount the tdm image, remove the tdm image and zip file
• Run the application from your applications home folder.
• The TDM Launcher will open, select the dark mod updater and hit "close". (I need to change the label of that button)
• Download the tdm-files with the tdm-updater.
• close the updater
• end

Running TDM:

• Go to your applications home folder
• run thedarkmod.app
• select in the tdm launcher "The dark mod" and hit close.
• Wait for TDM to start.
• end

Update TDM

• Run the application from your applications home folder.
• The TDM Launcher will open, select the dark mod updater and hit "close". (I need to change the label of that button)
• Update the files using the updater.
• close the updater
• end

Delete tdm:

• Move the dark mod app to your trashbin.
• and empty your trashbin
• end

Some mentions:

• This is a work-in-progress (early alpha) testversion.
• Tested with Mac os Mavericks (10.9.5) - intel.
• TDM app is not a native mac application, It uses wineskin (a wine-wrapper) to run the application.
• Its a big appication file (221 mb), because it contains everything you need to run tdm and its updater on Mac os.
  But you have to download the gamefiles using the included tdm-updater.
  (dmg file is around 50 mb).
• Created with Wineskin Winery 1.7, NSIS and Apple's diskutility.

Edited August 25, 2016 by freyk