YaPI (yet another Puppy Installer) install any Puppy iso

[bigpup]

OH, Good.
We do not agree 100% of the time.

You bring up some good concerns, however!

Would you give access to your computer to an OS that you have very little idea (none really) how it performs and what it does?

Every time I boot with a new Puppy version burned to a CD.

Currently puppy has an option not to touch your hard disks if booting from CD and some consider making this a default

Up until the time you open the Rox file manager.
Never had a save file mess up a hard drive, but a hard drive has messed up a save file. (Windows fragmentation)

t could also be used by people that have no idea what they are doing, they just installed their first official puppy, are all excited ( Razz ) and are looking for more. There is where the problems may arise (and everywhere else in between)

Why we have the Beginners section of this forum and why it is so active.
Job security

The Universal Installer has lots of info pages in the process.
I know, people do not read directions.

[mavrothal]

I'm sure that we have many ways to mess up a system. Particularly running as root.
The point is if we make this any easier with such a PUI and if we do, what is the actual benefit of the said functionality.

But as I said, "if you build it they will come"

[L18L]

There is no escape route from this GUI or its sister. I cant even 'kill'either. It's not the important issue of the thread, but nevertheless ...

Thank you. Fixed.

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Interesting discussion
I prefer to just listenening....
except 1 issue: if there is a flash installer,
why do we need a univeral installer ?
Or can the flash installer be launched from the universal?

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Attached version from 2015-12-07
please test / check
especially "does install from actual puppy work?"
install from other iso coded to stop after selection now.

---

What I dislike:
puppyinstaller always wants to install a boot loader on the partition I have selected.
I do not want this, but there is no escape.

----
EDIT please no comments about +mnt+home+....
EDIT2 Enough for today, expect responses tomorrow (we are slow and lazy...)

[mavrothal]

(see pic)

Also:
It would appear that if /tmp/PUI/ISOs is there will not rescan. So ISOs downloaded or deleted after the first run will not be detected.
Scanning a big partition can take some time, you may want to add some indication that is searching.

Regarding flash installer is specifically using f2fs I think. Not all puppies/kernels support this file system. Particularly anything older than a year. So it can be risky if you install a puppy in a file system that it does not support.
But it could be merged if support could be verified (maybe search the DOTconfig of the puppy to be installed)

[Dry Falls]

Wouldn't it be simpler to leave pui to installing a running pup and have an independent, separate script to install iso to <option1 option2 option3> etc. It could easily be a right click menu item when selecting an iso file?

[gcmartin]

I think the idea is that the Menu>Setup could reduce to a single universal utility for producing a bootable PUP to HDD/SSD/USB/SDcards/microSD/DVDs versus the multitude and confusion that currently exist in the distro's today.

Clarity, simplicity and universal use would be a big help and would cut down on the hours that result when utility is not clear.

The name for years has been "Puppy Universal Installer". But, when used, if you are unfamiliar, its like running across a mine field in current layout: Chances of getting safely to the other side, well... you know. If one is a regular user of the PUI, this is a different story as that person has made all the classic mistakes to know the correct pathing. Occasional or new users, routinely fail.

This is not new news on PUI use, though.

But, I can see where your position is covered in the present steps being taken.

[bigpup]

Interesting discussion
I prefer to just listenening....
except 1 issue: if there is a flash installer,
why do we need a univeral installer ?
Or can the flash installer be launched from the universal?

Thanks for doing the coding!!!!

When the Universal Installer was the Puppy Installer. Basically it would only install to a hard drive.
Was not long before people started asking.
What about this device or that device?
Well, to give people what they wanted. It became the Puppy Universal Installer and what it now is.

Or can the flash installer be launched from the universal?

What is the real difference between selecting an install option and using a specific set of code to accomplish that or going to a separate program that has that same code?
Nothing, other than you had to run two programs to do it.

[bigpup]

L18L ,

Here is one for you to possibly also fix.
Goes along with start another program idea.

If you select to install to a CD (#1 image)
You get this message (#2 image)

Your code changes did not cause this. It has been this way for CD option.

[bigpup]

Attached version from 2015-12-07
please test / check
especially "does install from actual puppy work?"
install from other iso coded to stop after selection now.

install from other iso.
Really like that choose an iso window.
(agree. something showing it is searching for iso files would be nice)
I have 8 partitions and two USB drives.
At first it looked like it stopped working.
Finally did pop up with a long list of iso files.
(I have a lot)

install from actual running puppy seems to be working OK.

I see you added my information change about having to mount the iso if getting stuff from it.
I installed to a usb from a running puppy Tahrpup 6.0 full install.
Had to mount the Tahrpup 6.0 iso.
Because the iso was mounted.
Selected get files from directory and the mounted iso was auto detected and used.
Went to the install process without me having to navigate to the opened iso.
(that is how it has normally worked when installing from a running full install. The installer is looking for puppy.sfs, vmlinuz, initrd.gz, etc....
those are not going to be in a full install, so it has to use the iso for the running full install.)

mavrothal,
Can you see it is already complicated
I think some of L18L's coding may just make it less complicated.

[L18L]

(see pic)

So what?
What did you expect?
Hehe you did not read or understand „coded to stop after selection now“

It would appear that if /tmp/PUI/ISOs is there will not rescan. So ISOs downloaded or deleted after the first run will not be detected.
Scanning a big partition can take some time, you may want to add some indication that is searching.

I do not download or delete any ISO while testing. Do you?

Wouldn‘t it be simpler to leave pui to installing a running pup and have an independent, separate script to install iso to <option1 option2 option3> etc. It could easily be a right click menu item when selecting an iso file?

Yes, would be much simpler. but not for the user.
Right-click on iso file to open installer is a nice idea.

The name for years has been „Puppy Universal Installer“.

Yes, PUI has to retain universal and become better.

Thanks for doing the coding!!!!

It is fun and shall stay fun.

When the Universal Installer was the Puppy Installer...

read more : http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=60302

What is the real difference between selecting an install option and using a specific set of code to accomplish that or going to a separate program that has that same code?
Nothing, other than you had to run two programs to do it.

You have convinced me: If there is a PUI then there should be no need for any other installer.

If you select to install to a CD (#1 image)
You get this message (#2 image)

Hahaha
maybe simply: burn iso to cd ?

install from other iso.
Really like that choose an iso window.
(agree. something showing it is searching for iso files would be nice)

Glad you like it; nice features can be added of course.

Install from actual running puppy seems to be working OK.

Thanks for posting another test result.
Yes I want to make it less complicated

Next version should include something of
- bug fix: +mt+home [...done soon thanks mavrothal]
- show searching [...done]
- help button: about action if isos added/deleted. [...done]
- install to cd/dvd/blu-ray
- speed up
- replace these „press Enter key for yes....“

... and will stay far off from final

[bigpup]

Quote:
If you select to install to a CD (#1 image)
You get this message (#2 image)
Hahaha
maybe simply: burn iso to cd ?

Yes. Burniso2cd. That program is a simple burn an iso to a CD.
Very easy to use.
That would make mavrothal happy

[bigpup]

I was also thinking.
It may be a good idea if some of the general information, about installing Puppy, could be put in an info window that would pop up in the beginning.

Example:

Code: Select all

the Universal Installer supports two types of installation to storage devices.

Frugal
	The files vmlinuz, initrd.gz and pup_xxx.sfs (and maybe z*.sfs, the "zdrv") are copied to a partition. This partition may already have something installed on it and that will not be disturbed. This can be any type of partition, MSDOS, Windows (FAT, NTFS) or Linux (EXT2, EXT3, EXT4 or REISERFS). For most people this is the recommended option.

Full
	A full installation, taking over the entire partition. This is the normal traditional Linux hd installation, and requires the partition to have a Linux filesystem (EXT2, EXT3, EXT4 or REISERFS).

The type of device (CD, hard drive, USB flash drive, etc...), format of partition, will also determine what type install will be offered.
Some devices can only have one type of install, so it may not give you a type of install option. The installer will auto select the install it can do.

To boot Puppy. 
Depending on the device and how Puppy is installed. You may also need to install a boot loader.

The Universal Installer will give you more advice about these options as you use it.

[gcmartin]

This may/may-not affect the PUI: @BarryK's post, today.

[bigpup]

gcmartin,

I do not think so.
Other than getting some code ideas.

Remember, Quirky is Barry's play toy.
It is a test bed for his ideas.
It does not operate and install like normal Puppy.
Quirky is out there in it's own world and not really part of normal Puppy.

However, he does seem to be moving slowly back to the Puppy way of doing things.

[L18L]

I was also thinking.
It may be a good idea if some of the general information, about installing Puppy, could be put in an info window that would pop up in the beginning.

Thanks. Included.

Note1,
dpup was found on my system. It does not have DISTRO_PUPPYSFS defined, moved from list
Maybe our new script will work with woof built Puppies only.

Note2,
don't expect a correct installation procedure yet.

Thanks in advance for tests and feedback.
Good night.

[bigpup]

L18L,

Tested your latest Universal Installer.

Note2,
don't expect a correct installation procedure yet.

Because of this statement, not sure how much into the process should be working.

Not sure if you should really post this version without some clear statement on what you want tested.

I guess as a test of the concept for first few windows. OK.

What does work seems to be correct.

Thanks for coding!!

[bigpup]

One thing I noticed about the list of iso's.

It will only show iso's that are on devices if the device is mounted when you run the search.
If an iso is on a device that is not mounted, it will not show up on the list of iso's.

I know, how is it going to search a device if it is not mounted.

You talk about this in the help.

Good idea.

Looking at that help.
Would this wording be a little clearer?

Code: Select all

If you want to install using a Puppy iso.
To search and access it. You must have it located in a place that is mounted.
Click on desktop drive icons to mount/unmount storage locations.

[mavrothal]

Tried the latest.
When choosing device does not offer the option to install in one of the partitions but defaults to the last partition and claims to install in the entire disk.
Scary. Can wipe your disk (did not try it to see if it actually will do that )
If you bail out the iso stays mounted

BTW if you do not want to include the +/+.../+.../name.iso folders in the search you can add "-type f" in the find command.

[L18L]

Not sure if you should really post this version without some clear statement on what you want tested.

Yes I should not!

I guess as a test of the concept for first few windows.

Exactly!
Good guess.

Would this wording be a little clearer?

no, not just a little.
"storage locations" is the term I have never been thinking of (only device/partition).

Found a bug (one of mine) that prevents to continue with "install this puppy".
Fixed for next version.
Where are the Puppy files?
makes me think to implement your suggestion:
search in all plugged-in (mounted and unmounted) devices.
This should start in the background and will hopefully be finished when that question comes up.

Have a nice day

[L18L]

Can wipe your disk (did not try it to see if it actually will do that )

That's why there is a sanity check. Right? ... and Cutting Edge is not for beginners.

BTW if you do not want to include the +/+.../+.../name.iso folders in the search you can add "-type f" in the find command.

Thank you. Will use it.