Summer of Mac Love - Week 3 - Software Installation
July 23, 2008 – 8:48 pm
Last week I covered the differences between the update processes of OS X and Windows. Of course without any software to update these services would not be needed. This week I will examine the process of installing new software on each of the platforms.
The Facts
Windows utilizes a separate installation program (MSI.EXE) to install all software. This software is responsible for making the necessary changes to the registry and file system that allow the software to run.
Most software installation on OS X takes place by copying the program from the source to the application folder. This can also achieved by dragging and dropping. The notable exception are the programs such as Microsoft Office and Adobe products that rely on propriety piracy prevention measures.
The Windows registry dates back to Windows 3.1 and was designed to replace INI files.
The Windows registry houses the configuration and options for all hardware, the operating system, and third party software.
OS X utilizes “property list” files to store this information. Settings are separated into two groups of files per user and for the system as a whole. These files apply to only to applications and the operating system, hardware is handled elsewhere.
The Criteria
- Capability: Does the tool perform the job?
- Software installation mechanisms must consider several factors to be deemed truly capable. The software must be verified to be compatible with the platform it is being installed on. The installation must complete and result in a functional program. It must also ensure that all prerequisites, if applicable, are fulfilled prior to installation.
- Availability: Is the tool available and working correctly when it is needed?
- The mechanism by which software is installed must be functional when required. How vulnerable to failure is the mechanism itself.
- Usability: Is the user able to intuitively work the tool?
- How easily can the average computer user complete the installation process. Is the process clearly and adequately described? Are any errors experienced clear and useful?
- Efficiency: Does the tool perform the job with as little effort as possible?
- Not applicable for this discussion as this comparison can be adequately addressed by comparing usability.
The Results
- Capability: Does the tool perform the job?
- OS X verifies the intended platform prior to installation. Software written for OS X 10.5 will not install on a Mac running 10.4. Windows however will attempt to install any Win32 application without verification. This has led to many problems as the common user often ignores the requirements of the software and will attempt an installation on a non-compatible version of Windows. For an example of the consequences see this article.
- Availability: Is the tool available and working correctly when it is needed?
- Without a way to scientifically test this attribute I must fall back on my experience and one key fact. The key fact is that there are zero utilities written to repair the OS X installation mechanism. Apparently copy and paste is not prone to problems. This is not true of Windows. There are numerous utilities designed to repair the Windows installer both from Microsoft and third parties. In 6 years I have never had the OS X installation mechanism fail. I repair the Windows installer on a weekly basis for my clients.
- Usability: Is the user able to intuitively work the tool?
- The main stumbling block that I have seen in installing OS X applications comes from Windows users who expect the process to be more complicated. In most cases an icon for the program and the applications folders appear, requiring the user to drag the program icon over the application and drop it. Windows users are accustomed to a series of dialog boxes, license agreements and countless progress bars. The number and complexity of the dialog boxes vary by application. OS X does suffer from error messages during installation that can appear cryptic to the novice computer user. The most common error results from trying to update an application that is currently running. Closing the application and re-attempting the install solves the problem but the dialog box suffers from nerd speak.
The Winner
My initial reaction to installing software on OS X after I switched from Windows was “It can’t be that simple”. The fact that applications are installed via drag and drop alone makes OS X superior to Windows. The implications of this only reinforce this fact. When performing a data recovery or operating system reinstall on Windows I have to warn my clients that their software is not recoverable. The Windows installation process does not allow for this. Recovering OS X applications is simply a matter of copying the application from one disk to another. Additionally when a OS X program misbehaves and requires repair, simply deleting the associated preference file via the Finder and restarting the application solves the problem 9 times out of 10. Try deleting items from the registry by hand to fix a problem. Actually don’t, not only is it terribly confusing but you will likely break Windows.
One Response to “Summer of Mac Love - Week 3 - Software Installation”
To be complettely fair you should also address one of the major reasons people and businesses choose Windows over Macs, the amount of available software. Software publishers still cater to the Windows market and even with the recent surge in Mac popularity, the gap is enormous.
I understand that since Mac has switched to the Intel platform, there are available workarounds. Perhaps a more detailed article discussing these workarounds would be helpful in getting more converts.
By John on Jul 27, 2008