<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 5:12 PM, Eric Altshuler <<a href="mailto:ela@cola.iges.org">ela@cola.iges.org</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
Hi Arlindo,<br>
<br>
I have been using an earlier version of your win32 "superpack" when it was only available as a ZIP package. Now you have both ZIP and EXE packages available. Are these exactly the same package (aside from how they are installed)? I'm wondering why the EXE is only about half as big as the ZIP. Other than being a smaller download, does the EXE version have other advantages?<br>
</blockquote><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>They are exactly the same package. The ZIP is larger due to a less efficient compression algorithm.</div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>
The self-installing ".exe" is the recommended package for Win32 GrADS --- if you have the necessary privileges to install software on your computer. I was surprised to find out that many users have their computers "locked down" and aren't able to install any software. For these users, I am making the ZIP package available as well.</div>
<div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>The automatically installer does a couple more conveniences besides uncompressing all the necessary files under "C:\GrADS19":</div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder">
</div><div>1) It creates shortcuts in your [Start]/[Programs] menu</div><div>2) It register an uninstall option so that you can uninstall GrADS from the Control Panel/"Add/Remove Software"</div><div>3) It can optionally add C:\GrADS19\win32 to your path</div>
<div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>However, by construction, no other use is made of the Windows register, and Win32 GrADS remains 100% relocatable. For example, you can copy the C:\GrADS19\ folder to a memory stick and have a fully functional copy of GrADS on the go. (Of course, if you would like to start GrADS from any folder you would need to set the PATH yourself.) I have designed it this way to allow me to include it with data DVD, such as those produced for reanalysis projects.</div>
<div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>Notice that if you preserve the integrity of the C:\GrAD19 directory tree, you will never have to bother setting GADDIR, GASCRP or even GAUDXT/LD_LIBRARY_PATH. All is detected and set automatically for you (unless any of these environment variables have already been set, in which case they are left alone.)</div>
<div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div> Arlindo</div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div></div>-- <br>Arlindo da Silva<br><a href="mailto:dasilva@alum.mit.edu">dasilva@alum.mit.edu</a>