Question about cat_reader.mov

[danaltick]

Peter,

I'm confused about burning the Mac and Windows catalog reader executables on a CD for client delivery as you demonstrate in this movie.  I'm assuming the catalog reader actually has to be installed before the executable can run.  If that is correct, once the reader is installed, can't the client just double-click on the catalog file to launch the reader without actually having to put the reader app on the CD?  I'm assuming the client will be required to have the reader installed; something you might assist the client with after the shoot if necessary.

I downloaded the Mac version of the reader, but it is a zip file for installation.  Since I'm on Windows, I'm not sure which file is the actual executable.

Also, it might be handy if you posted that Readme file text for others to copy and paste.  I went ahead and hand typed it myself.

Dan

[peterkrogh]

Dan,
You would put the reader on the CD or DVD for delivery if you did not know that the recipient already had it.  This is just a convenience.

You're right that the readme should be posted online.  Let me add this to the list.

Peter

[danaltick]

Peter,

I think maybe iView changed the reader where it now has to be installed.  You don't just download an executable that runs.  A .zip file is what gets downloaded for the Mac and an install shield .exe for Windows.  I think this is what would get put on the CD along with instructions to install it if necessary.  Just dragging the .ivn file would not work I don't believe.  Of course, I guess you could also put the installed executable on the CD as well, making the assumption they had already installed the reader.  In that case, instructing them to drag the .ivn file to the executable would insure they launched the reader and not the full application (in case they had both installed).  This would prevent them from modifying the catalog.  Unless I'm overlooking something, I think I will put both the downloaded zip and install shield apps on the CD along with the reader executables (in their own folders) and add some extra instructions to the ReadMe for this.  I can post the folder structure and ReadMe file contents when I'm done next week sometime.

I'm assuming in your video when you dragged the .ivn file to the reader, you already had the reader installed or you were using an earlier version of the reader that didn't require an install.

Dan

[danaltick]

Could someone tell me what you have to do on a Mac to install the catalog reader?  When I download the Mac version to my Windows PC it comes down as a Zip file that unzips to a directory structure.  Is it as simple as double clicking on the downloaded Zip file when on a Mac?  The windows version can be installed by just double clicking on the downloaded install_catalog_reader.exe.  Thanks.

Dan

[peterkrogh]

Dan,
On Mac, iView is a package. To the average user, it looks like an application.  Double-clicking on the icon launches the program.

If you were to right-click, you would see what you are probably seeing, a folder with the application, support files, etc.

The application itself is the file in:
Contents>Mac OS> iView Catalog Reader

Peter

[danaltick]

Peter,

Double-clicking on the icon launches the program.

Does it launch the program itself or the installation of the program?

The app file in the MacOS directory just has a generic icon next to it on Windows, but on a Mac, does it have the green cat reader icon next to it?  I'm assuming this is the file you're burning to the delivery CD... correct?

Dan

[peterkrogh]

You double click on the folder in Mac (which appears as the green icon) and the program launches.

Most Mac users have no idea that this is even a package, rather than the application itself.

Peter

[danaltick]

Peter,

Oh I see.  So on the Mac there is no need to install anything, just double click on the package icon and it runs.  If that's the case, then I guess the user can just drag the .ivn file directly to the package icon... correct?

That would mean for the Mac it's a one-step process, but for Windows it's a two-step process.  If this is correct, I just need to make accomodations for the two-step process on the CD for Windows.

Dan

[roberte]

Hi Dan,

iView have changed how their Catalog Reader works on Windows several times. They keep skirting between an exe and an installation, and at one stage offered both. The real issue appears to be the Readers reliance on Quicktime. On a Mac it's not an issue but on Windows the installer can check whether Quicktime (and the correct version) is installed and prompt for it to be downloaded/installed if is not. The exe just assumes QT is present.

As Peter suggests in the video you can include a ReadMe with the Catalog that states a current version of Quicktime is required. To distribute your own Windows Catalog exe try installing the Catalog Reader and copying it from the Programs folder.

FWIW one way to make a cross platform CD/DVD is to make a Hybrid version with Toast on Mac. You can "hide" the Mac contents from Windows and vice versa using partitions.

-- Robert.

[danaltick]

Robert,

Thanks for the info.  In lieu of this, sounds like it might be a good idea to include a copy of the latest Quicktime on the CD as well for Windows users.

For windows I will put both the install.exe as well as the reader.exe from the program files on the CD with instructions in the ReadMe.

Unfortunately, I'm on Windows so I can't make use of Toast.  I will just have to improvise through proper folder and file naming.

Looks like I have everything I need now to create the CD and update the ReadMe file.  I will zip up the updated CD directory structure with the apps, exe's, and new ReadMe.pdf and post a download link to it here when I'm done.... might be a few days.  Hopefully Mac users will be able to unzip it and make use of it.

Any problems using PDF format for the ReadMe?

Dan

[roberte]

Hi Dan,

I prefer a HTML ReadMe because PDF requires Windows users to have Acrobat Reader installed (Apple preview can read PDF). Whereas every modern computer has a web browser pre-installed you might need to include an Acrobat Reader installer too . So now we are asking Windows clients to install Apple Quicktime, iView Catalog Reader, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most of my corporate clients would need their administrator to do this.

Web galleries may be more appealing and some such as the EOS and Photoshop templates offer feedback like the Catalog Reader.

FWIW you can make Hybrid CDs on Windows. It's just a PITA and expen$ive. Mark Anderson at Portfolio FAQ outlines what is needed and summarises how to do it.

If Microsoft continues support with an Expression Media catalog Reader perhaps they could re-write it to use the OS web browser instead of QT?

-- Robert.

[danaltick]

Robert,

Thanks again.  I will use html for the readme.

To keep this simple and quick for now, I think I'll stick with my current plan.  Besides, like you say, things may change with the release of Expression Media.

I think I do want to stay with the Reader and Notepad for now as well instead of galleries.  I do like the way the notepad integrates with iView and catalog sets.  I'll just have to tell the Windows corporate client he may need an administrator to install Quicktime and the reader.

Dan