[Qgis-developer] Mac package confusion

[William Kyngesburye]

On Feb 3, 2011, at 1:28 AM, Alex Mandel wrote:

> On 02/02/2011 11:21 PM, Alex Mandel wrote:
>> So I sent someone to go download and install the Mac Standalone of QGIS
>> 1.6, only to find out that there isn't a standalone installer anymore.
>> I'm sure there are reasons, and that's fine, but... I think we missed
>> the ball on making sure that it's easy for a new user to get started.

(the reason is that some of the GdalTools won't work because of a Python path problem)

I've never liked the standalone - too much duplication of components (frameworks) when the user wants to use other GIS software.  Even "new" users that want to use GRASS within QGIS are better off without the standalone.

>> 
>> Looking at the page http://www.kyngchaos.com/software/qgis
>> I'm guessing that only way to install QGIS now is to grab the

>> Mac disk,

?

>> install Frameworks, then grab the GDAL and GSL frameworks packages and
>> finally the QGIS package? It's implied but it doesn't say it anywhere
>> obvious.

"Requirements" seems quite obvious.

>> 
>> If this is true any chance we could update the instructions to give the
>> step by step for a new user who has no idea what Frameworks are. Also
>> could we point the GDAL and GSL links to the files themselves as opposed
>> to the frameworks page, so that the install doesn't turn into a hunt for
>> the right stuff to download?

I prefer not to cross-link files between pages.  It's easy to forget to update all links to a specific framework when the version changes.  Everything needed is at the top of the page under "Current Frameworks".

There is an Installation Guide link in the side menu.  I could link it to the Requirements headers to make it more prominent...

>> 
>> FYI to translators, I've re-ordered the Mac download links on the qgis
>> wiki to reflect that the standalone is no longer the "recommended for
>> new users".
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Alex
> 
> Note: I think I meant to ask if the user needs to install Xcode in order
> to use the frameworks. But I'm not Mac user so please straighten the record.

Not mentioned in any requirements, so no Xcode needed.


-----
William Kyngesburye <kyngchaos*at*kyngchaos*dot*com>
http://www.kyngchaos.com/

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