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Tuesday, December 25. 2007
Merry Xmas - XsX Alpha Blended cursors updated - v1.1 - now an .EXE install package!
I've updated the XsX Alpha Blended cursor package with my time off for the holidays.
You can grab the updated package here.
The installation procedure is much easier! Just run .EXE and follow the dialog prompts. It asks if you want to install the cursors and if you want to set them as your current mouse scheme. VERY EASY!
Note: You'll want to run the program with Administrative rights or else the install will fail.
Changes
#1. It is no longer a 7-Zip self-extracting .EXE - this was the most problematic aspect of the original version.
#2. Through the magic of IEXPRESS.EXE bundled with XP and Vista, it is a self contained package that asks if you want to install the cursors, and if you want to set them as your current mouse scheme.
#3. I didn't include the normal cursors this time around. I am mainly testing this new deployment method. I am leaving the old .ZIP file around for those that want it. I do know there is one cursor missing for the normal cursors, but that was missing in the original package from 2001. If someone can create a replacement, I'll include it in the next version and give them credit.
Known issues
#1. Not an .MSI package. I have a 99% working .MSI package but the last 1% is a release blocker.
#2. If you run the .EXE, tell it to install, and the cursors are already installed on your PC, Windows will ask if you want to overwrite the cursors. I'm not too worried about that.
#3. No automated uninstall. The unreleased .MSI package has an uninstall routine. It is pretty easy to add uninstall entries for the current .INF/.EXE installation/uninstallation method.
Future plans
#1. Finish/fix the .MSI package so that it installs and uninstalls correctly.
#2. Create an uninstall routine for the .INF/.EXE version.
#3. Create a stub .EXE that calls SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETCURSORS to remove the AutoHotKey dependency.
#4. Include smaller versions of the icons for low resolution monitors.
#5. Include the shadow-enabled cursors if they let me.
Resources used to create this release
AutoHotKey
Portions of Farhan Ahmad's excellent AHK script
Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK)
For those wondering what I am talking about overall, see my previous entry here.
You can grab the updated package here.
The installation procedure is much easier! Just run .EXE and follow the dialog prompts. It asks if you want to install the cursors and if you want to set them as your current mouse scheme. VERY EASY!
Note: You'll want to run the program with Administrative rights or else the install will fail.
Changes
#1. It is no longer a 7-Zip self-extracting .EXE - this was the most problematic aspect of the original version.
#2. Through the magic of IEXPRESS.EXE bundled with XP and Vista, it is a self contained package that asks if you want to install the cursors, and if you want to set them as your current mouse scheme.
#3. I didn't include the normal cursors this time around. I am mainly testing this new deployment method. I am leaving the old .ZIP file around for those that want it. I do know there is one cursor missing for the normal cursors, but that was missing in the original package from 2001. If someone can create a replacement, I'll include it in the next version and give them credit.
Known issues
#1. Not an .MSI package. I have a 99% working .MSI package but the last 1% is a release blocker.
#2. If you run the .EXE, tell it to install, and the cursors are already installed on your PC, Windows will ask if you want to overwrite the cursors. I'm not too worried about that.
#3. No automated uninstall. The unreleased .MSI package has an uninstall routine. It is pretty easy to add uninstall entries for the current .INF/.EXE installation/uninstallation method.
Future plans
#1. Finish/fix the .MSI package so that it installs and uninstalls correctly.
#2. Create an uninstall routine for the .INF/.EXE version.
#3. Create a stub .EXE that calls SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETCURSORS to remove the AutoHotKey dependency.
#4. Include smaller versions of the icons for low resolution monitors.
#5. Include the shadow-enabled cursors if they let me.
Resources used to create this release
AutoHotKey
Portions of Farhan Ahmad's excellent AHK script
Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK)
For those wondering what I am talking about overall, see my previous entry here.
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