Re: Simplified 'installation' of xy4

[Carl Distefano CLDistefano@xxxxxxxx]

Reply to note from Harry Binswanger  Wed, 10 Sep 97 18:30:56 +0000

-> As far as I know, there's nothing sneaky that Xy does in its
-> installation--all that it does is to put files on your
-> harddrive.

Harry: The only exception that comes to mind is SETTINGS.DFL, and
it's really a non-issue. In addition to the usual default values,
the install program adds several customized settings based on
information solicited from the user during installation. The most
important of these is the printer (PP) table, which lists installed
printers alongside their associated printer files and DOS devices.
The SETP (set printer) command won't work without it. However, you
don't need SETP if you know which printer file to load for your
printer; just include the LOAD command STARTUP.INT. If you want to
use the SETP command to switch between printers, it's easy enough
later to add a PP table manually.

Oh, one other exception -- an important one: the logon file(s), in
the form x.LOG, where x is the username. The file's content is
irrelevant (it can be empty), but at least one such file has to be
there (in the "network log" directory, indicated by  --
typically, the directory that contains EDITOR.EXE or XW.EXE), or the
LOGON command will fail. Xy will pester you to "Please log on"
until a logon is successfully issued. A .LOG file takes about 5
seconds to create manually, so no big deal.

My approach to Xy installation is to choose a "full" installation
and send it to a dummy directory. I then copy the files I need over
to my actual Xy directory. My customized setup can be zipped up
nicely onto a single floppy, which travels easily and is quickly
"installed" onto OPC's (other people's computers). Anyone needing
help to achieve this state of blissful simplicity should just give a
holler.

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Carl Distefano