[Adium-devl] The disk image

[Evan Schoenberg]

I think the disk image is a flawed technology for an inexperienced  
user... inexperienced users want an Installer, preferably one which  
automatically runs when you're done downloading and deletes itself  
when done.  Or, at least, they'd want that last bit if you asked them  
about it; generally they'll leave the Installer on their desktop for  
the next 6 months, anyways.

So choices:
1) Current situation, preferably with someone artistic making a much  
nicer (or even a bit nicer) background for the 1.0 release.  On  
Safari, this leads to showing an open window with instructions about  
getting Adium.app into Applications, and I think that part works  
pretty reliably.  On Firefox, etc., I'm not sure what happens, but if  
it autoopens, that should be fine, too.  It leaves behind the DMG,  
which the user may delete or leave sitting around.  The mounted disk  
itself is harmless and will go away after a reboot or whatnot.
2) Internet-enabled.  The disk image, when opened by Safari or  
whatever, turns into Adium.app.  The user can run this in-place  
(leaving it on his desktop) or move it to Applications.  Most users  
who are capable of moving it from the desktop to /Applications are  
also going to be able to handle (1) in terms of deleting the DMG, I  
think.  An incompetent user ends up with no DMG sitting around (since  
it was automatically) deleted but has Adium on the desktop.
3) .tgz, .zip, etc.  Bleh.
4) Installer.  Will receive outcry from savvy Mac users.  Installer  
ends up sitting on the desktop if user is dumb.  Basically, it's an  
odd combination of (1) and (2); no strong advantage, ugliness and  
savviness disadvantage.

I'm a fan of (1).  I think (2) creates as many or more problems than  
it solves... you end up with Adium.app on the desktop, you have no  
opportunity to give instructions ("move this to Applications so you  
don't look dumb!"), and we should display the GPL on first launch if  
it's not distributed clearly with the app (yet another thing to click  
OK to... bleh).

-Evan
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