IE6 - How software installers should NOT work.
Posted by Joe Rinehart at 10:08 AM
2 comments - Categories:
Off Topic
I'm currently installing IE6 on my work laptop to test an IE6-specific issue. At least, I think I am. This installer is a model of how not to build things.
I downloaded the IE6 installer from IE's site. That gave me a file named "ie6setup.exe" on my desktop.
I ran it. Agreed to EULA. A minute or so later, I get a message that the next time I need to run Windows Update, run ie6setup.exe from Programs -> Something -> Obscure.
Ok. I didn't want to update windows. I just need IE6.
I click ok.
All windows close.
Explorer.exe locks. End Now.
Windows starts to reboot.
(waits a few minutes, checks GMail on personal machine)
Back at the ranch, the laptop has rebooted. Seems to start up ok. Nothing about any new IE install.
(clicks the blue E of doom)
Looks the same to me.
Help -> About -> Version 6.xxxx
Hey, looks like it worked. Thanks for the great experience, makes me really look forward to Vista.
Daniel Roberts wrote on 01/18/06 11:54 AM
I believe the installation (and security) headaches revolve around IE's integration with the Windows. What are you technically doing when updating to IE6? Updating/installing software, updating the OS, both?I recently read about a way to install mostly functional standalone versions of IE but have yet to try it out (and probably won't unless absolutely necessary):
http://www.positioniseverything.net/articles/multiIE.html