[Qgis-user] Enabled plugins for Windows stand-alone installer, version 1.0.2

[Michael Toews]

Hi Tim,

> As far as I know it needs to be run separately...I'll try to figure out
> how to automate this, but for now its not possible.

I don't directly know any solutions, but I looked around and it appears there are several solutions where the redistributable file is run as a prerequisite during installation. All three files (VCRedist_x86.exe, VCRedist_x64.exe, VCRedist_ia64.exe) might need to be bundled for the other MS platforms. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235299.aspx for a pretty good description of the issue (including the same error message).

> Many users simply dont realise the plugins exist if they are not turned
> on by default. There is no way to keep everyone happy on this at the
> moment. In a future version of unstable I am planning a 'first run'
> wizard that will guide the user through making a selection of plugins to
> enable.  Its unlikely that this will be backported to 1.0.x though.

> As mentioned above, this was *added* to streamline things for the new
> user. I will try to find a way to resolve the GRASS issue though.

I'll agree with all of this, and a startup wizard might be a good solution for plugin preferences and GRASS setup. Some plugins certainly get used around here, such as the scalebar and north arrow. Others would be useful, like quick print, but noone knows what/where they are. I see several people hide as many unused toolbars as they can, since it distracts attention away from the important stuff--the map in the middle. Besides me, I don't see any interest at my office in the niche plugins, like mapserver export and others. I see good potential of usage in the interpolation and ftools plugins.

> Out of interest, how many users are you deploying this build of QGIS to?

18 or so right now, spread across three different offices (more users expected later this year at other offices). I'm in the same office as most users, so I get to see their habits. Almost all users are new to GIS.

-Mike