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INTERNET SAVVY, STUFFIT INSTALLERMAKER 4.5 SHIPS FROM ALADDIN SYSTEMS, INC.

Aladdin's Installer Easily and Quickly Creates Custom Installers That Can Download Files From Multiple FTP Sites

Watsonville, CA-- November 7, 1997 -- Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer and publisher of the worldwide compression standard StuffIt(R), today announced StuffIt InstallerMaker(tm) 4.5 began shipping. InstallerMaker 4.5 allows developers to create Internet savvy installers, that download files from the Internet. InstallerMaker also allows developers to easily create custom software installers that turn standard software into trialware (a time-locked demo) without any coding. InstallerMaker is the only Macintosh installer with automatic trialware creation capability that is also Internet savvy. Trialware created with InstallerMaker can be purchased by end users with the click of a button.

"InstallerMaker has grown from just being an Installer for developers to a solution for data distribution for developers, distributors and marketers," said Pauline Shumake, InstallerMaker product manager. "With InstallerMaker's unique features like trialware capabilities and now Internet FTP capabilities, it is a must-have for the serious developer that wants a hassle-free installer incorporating the latest technology."

New Features in InstallerMaker 4.5:

  • InstallerMaker 4.5 now allows users to build installers capable of retrieving files from the Internet. New FTP (File Transfer Protocol) install tasks allow developers to specify an FTP site on the Internet with a path leading to a file to retrieve and install.
  • StuffIt Engine support is now included in InstallerMaker. Internet installers, enabling them to unstuff StuffIt (.sit) files, expand .zip files, decode MacBinary files and decode BinHex files.
  • Now users can simply hold down the Option key while dragging files into an archive to automatically replace existing files, allowing them to bypass the confirmation prompt asking whether to add new files or replace existing files.
  • Many of Aladdin's licensees hold licenses for multiple products. Now Aladdin has made it even easier to use these multiple registration numbers.
  • New and updated graphics were also added to InstallerMaker 4.5

Other Features in InstallerMaker 4.5
The "Display Alert" Task allows developers to show alert messages to users at any time during installation. The "Launch" Task allows developers to create tasks to launch applications, open other files, or launch additional installers that are necessary to the installation of their software, without having to include them in the installer archive.

"Preserve Success/Fail Status," and the "Execute When" features let users know when and if their installation succeeded. Preserve Success/Fail Status allows developers to preserve the flag indicating whether the last Task and/or Find failed when executing tasks. Execute When is a new feature that allows Tasks to be set to execute under three conditions: Always, If last Task/Find succeeded, or If last Task/Find failed.

"Edit Installer Finder Info" allows developers to set the Shared and File Locked flags for the installer, and /or the minimum and preferred memory allocation. This feature makes it easier to retain the custom settings for the installer.

InstallerMaker 4.5 features time saving enhancements including: the capability to use ShrinkWrap(tm) 3.0 for creating disk images as part of the build process, a software license display mode during installation, an update architecture that creates software updaters quickly, support for building foreign language installers, Internet TCP/IP configuration for ISPs, the ability to display banners and play sounds during the installation process, as well as valuable user interface enhancements.

When InstallerMaker's trialware feature is enabled, the user is notified every time they run the software of the number of days or launches left in their trial period. They are also given the opportunity to purchase the product from within the application. The purchase may be made in real time via the Internet, modem connection, a toll-free phone call (800 or 888 numbers), by fax, or postal mail. When the demo period expires users will not be able to continue using the software without a purchase even if they reinstall it.

Creating Disk Images with ShrinkWrap
InstallerMaker has the capability to use ShrinkWrap to create disk images while building an installer. This eliminates a time consuming step in the SCM (Source Code Management) process and results in more reliable product builds. With Aladdin's ShrinkWrap technology InstallerMaker can produce master disk images for duplication automatically.

Software License Dialog With Foreign Language Support
InstallerMaker supports a separate software license dialog box during installation. Developers can add copies of their software license agreement in multiple languages (Spanish, French, German, etc.) to be displayed before installation. The end user must accept the terms of the license agreement before the installation will proceed.

Internet Configuration Support
Documentation and the Internet PrefSaver(tm) assist developers in configuring a Mac OS computer for Internet access. PrefSaver helps ensure user account name and password information is propagated across common Internet software packages such as Netscape Navigator, Eudora Lite, Internet Explorer, and many others through Internet Config.

Availability and Requirements
StuffIt InstallerMaker is distributed electronically through the World Wide Web at http://www.aladdinsys.com and on CompuServe. InstallerMaker is sold through license agreements directly from Aladdin. Current licensees can download a free upgrade of the new version. Contact Developer Sales at dev.sales@aladdinsys.com for additional details. InstallerMaker requires a Macintosh or Mac OS compatible computer running System 7.1 or higher. Four megabytes of RAM is recommended.

Aladdin: Making data distribution and management transparent in the Internet era

Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems, Inc. is the developer and publisher of award winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt, the worldwide compression standard; Private File(tm), the easiest cross-platform encryption software, and FlashBack(tm), the ultimate safety net for any file; Spring Cleaning(tm), the best-selling Mac uninstaller and ShrinkWrap(tm), the industry standard for creating and distributing disk images. Aladdin products are designed to help users take full advantage of their computers by making life easier. Aladdin is located at 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA; telephone: (408)761-6200; URL: http://www.aladdinsys.com; e-mail: info@aladdinsys.com.

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Internet PrefSaver, ShrinkWrap, StuffIt, InstallerMaker, and the Aladdin Logo are trademarks of Aladdin Systems, Inc. All other products or brands are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.


Media Contact:
Jennifer Lyng or Kendra Howell
Aladdin Systems, Inc.
(408) 761-6200 x229
pr@aladdinsys.com

 

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