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Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 10:23:56 -0400
To: "Michael A Chase" <mchase AT ix DOT netcom DOT com>,
   "George Hester" <hesterloli AT hotmail DOT com>, <cygwin AT cygwin DOT com>
From: "Larry Hall (RFK Partners, Inc)" <lhall AT rfk DOT com>
Subject: Re: Where is the manual to manually install Cygwin in Windiows
   2000
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At 09:45 PM 4/18/2002, Michael A Chase wrote:
>From: "Larry Hall (RFK Partners, Inc)" <lhall AT rfk DOT com>
>To: "George Hester" <hesterloli AT hotmail DOT com>; <cygwin AT cygwin DOT com>
>Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 18:09
>Subject: Re: Where is the manual to manually install Cygwin in Windiows 2000
>
>
> > At 10:25 AM 4/18/2002, George Hester wrote:
> > >The last time I tried the installer I did not like the result.  So now I
> > >have downloaded all the packages I need evne the docs.  But I see nothing
> > >about how to install this manually; what environment variables I should
>set.
> > >Nothing at all.  All I see is telling me to use the installer.  If I do
>not
> > >want to do this does that mean I cannot install Cygwin in Windows 2000?
> > >Thanks.
>
>What didn't you like?  It may have been fixed or you might not understand
>the implications of some of your choices.
>
> > OK.  I guess you just somehow missed this:
> >
> > http://www.cygwin.com/download.html
> >
> > That explains your options.  Installing by a method other that setup is
> > not really supported by this list however.  BTW, there are no *required*
> > settings beyond unpacking the software.  But if you want any of the
> > additions that setup gives you, that's another argument for just using
> > setup.  Of course, the source for setup is available if you'd just prefer
> > to look at it to find out what it does.  But you're right.  There is no
> > documentation that guides you through a manual install of Cygwin.  It's
> > assumed that if you don't use setup, you understand enough about what
> > you're doing to just do it.  Either that or you're the adventurous type.
>;-)
> > Really, there's really no *magic* to setup though...
>
>There are some mount points that _must_ be created for Cygwin to work
>reliable 


I quite disagree with this point.  If it were true, it would be impossible 
to move a Cygwin executable and the DLL to a machine without a Cygwin 
install and have it work.  This does work in the general case, though 
there are specific packages for which it won't without additional 
configuration (like the mount points you mentioned, mount type, environment
variable settings, etc).  But those are limited exceptions to the rule.


>and many packages have postinstall scripts that should be run.


Which can still be run manually if the user chooses.  Setup automates the 
running of these but there is still nothing magical about them.


>Setup.exe will take care of them for you.  Without it you are on your own.
>
>I'm only mentioning these as a caution against what you seem to insist on
>doing.  Don't expect any support if you go against all advice.


I fully agree with this.  The above comments I made are really nits since I
want to dispel the myth that setup does things that can't be done manually.
Anyone really interested in installing "manually" can always look at what
setup does and perform the same steps.  My impression is that people looking
to install "manually" are looking for a scriptable setup, of which there is
already a start (thanks Rob).  I'd recommend anyone who plans to put any time
into creating their own automated installation to seriously consider adding
to the capabilities of setup in this area.  You'll leverage allot of work,
make things easier for yourself and others, and gain something that is 
maintainable over time.

Just my $.02.


Larry Hall                              lhall AT rfk DOT com
RFK Partners, Inc.                      http://www.rfk.com
838 Washington Street                   (508) 893-9779 - RFK Office
Holliston, MA 01746                     (508) 893-9889 - FAX


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