5. DEPLOYING A CAPTURED APPLICATION

5. DEPLOYING A CAPTURED APPLICATION

root Sun, 2010-07-18 13:13

5.0. Pre-deployment checklist

5.0. Pre-deployment checklist

It is recommended to upgrade Windows Installer to version 3.1 when working with PickMeApp.

Many programs require a runtime environment to be installed on the destination system. As for now PickMeApp Beta doesn’t check if the required environment is installed. Therefore it is recommended to download and install the following:

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

 

Java Runtime Environment

root Sun, 2010-07-18 13:48

5.1. How does it work?

5.1. How does it work?

To deploy an application:

  1. Start PickMeApp.
  2. Find the required unique package in the destination profile and check the box beside it.
  3. Click the “Start Installation” button to deploy your application.

 

  1. Wait until the progress bar turns gray, and the “process finished” message appears.

Note: An application cannot be deployed twice.

root Sun, 2010-07-18 13:50

5.2. Using the Captured Application list (Right Panel)

5.2. Using the Captured Application list (Right Panel)
The right panel contains a list of the applications captured under one or more profiles.
 
 
A small green circle denotes an application already installed in the system.

Using the Filter

The filter is a convenient tool that enables you to quickly search for the application you want to transfer. To activate the filter, simply type the name of the application, or part of its name, in the filter input line. Only alphanumeric and all punctuation characters can be typed.
 
To use the filter:
 
  1. Start PickMeApp
  2. Type some characters from the application name in the filter input line, or choose one of the predefined filtering options.
  3. Check the desired applications, or choose the “Mark All” option.
  4. Click the “Start Installation” button to deploy your application.
  5. Wait until the progress bar turns gray, and the “Installing process finished” message appears.
   
Note: During the capture, deployment or deletion of an application, the filter is disabled.
 
 
Predefined filter options
 
There are four pre-defined filter options:
 
<installed>           Shows only applications already installed in the destination computer
<not installed>    Shows only applications not installed in the destination computer
<selected>           Shows only applications previously selected
<clear>                 Cancels the previous filter, and causes the applications list to revert
 to its default state
 
Some ways to use the filter options:
 
<installed>          To verify whether the application you chose is already installed
<not installed>   To verify whether there are other applications you want to deploy
<selected>          To view a list of applications you chose to deploy
 
The Mark All button
 
This button selects all applications available for deployment under a chosen filter.

The Unmark All button

This button clears the selection of all applications under a chosen filter.

Multiple applications deployment

In order to deploy several applications from the personalized package at once, simply check the necessary applications in the list, and click on the Start Installation button.
root Sun, 2010-07-18 13:52

5.3. Using Profiles

5.3. Using Profiles

Profiles are specific locations where captured applications are stored.
 
Typically, several profiles for diverse purposes are created (e.g., for backup, mobilization for different platforms, and the like).

Adding a profile

This option enables you to create an empty profile with a chosen name and location.
 
When a profile already exists at the location you provided, the applications captured there are automatically included within it.
 
Import
 
The Import option allows you to import  captured applications and application descriptors. ( .tap , .tad, .pad  files) into the selected profile. The files will be copied to the profile folder from its original location.

Note: You  may import those files one by one or as set of files. Alternatively you may import a zip archive of those files. ( mix is ok ).


Edit

The Edit option enables you to change the profile name, or its location.
 
If you change the profile location, all application packages currently in the profile will be imported into the new location from the old one. The former profile will then be deleted.
 
Remove

The Remove option deletes all applications in the selected profile, and the profile itself.
 
The default profile cannot be removed.
 
Hide / Show inactive profiles

If at start PickMeApp does not discover the profile folder in the specified path, it marks the profile as inactive (red folder icon). This may occur because the profile is located on a disconnected mobile drive, or network storage.
 
You can hide or delete inactive profiles; you cannot edit them.

root Sun, 2010-07-18 13:54

5.4. Pack (save as exe) feature

5.4. Pack (save as exe) feature

PickMeApp Pack /"Save As exe" feature is used to repackage captured application as one installation package. This installation package may be used to install captured applications on any PC at once, without a need of the PickMeApp tool.

Possible  Pack /"Save As exe " Feature usages.

  1. Version Compatibility. PickMeApp is changing rapidly. While we are trying to provide a backward compatibility, it can happen that old captured application packages are not supported by a new PickMeApp version.
  2. Software Distribution. This feature is especially useful for system administrators. Now PickMeApp can be used to repackage several useful applications as one installation package and to distribute it to other PCs.
  3. Simplicity. While we are trying to make PickMeapp as simple as possible, yet some users are confused while using PickMeApp. This feature simplifies program and settings transfer task. It makes a re-installation step similar to a standard Windows experience.

Yet to get the most of functionally while re-installing applications on a new PC, consider to use PickMeApp alongside with the original application packages ( TAP files ).

"Save As exe" Feature limitations.

Repackaging

  1. You can repackage up to 40 applications in one exe package.
  2. Repackaging adds about 2MB on top of the original package.

Installation

  1. You cannot choose which application to install.
  2. You have only limited information about applications being installed.
  3. You have no progress notification during installation.
  4. You cannot cancel installation in the middle of process.

Video Tutorial

Download BestOpenSourceApps installation package from the video !!!

TAppTeam Tue, 2012-11-13 17:04