Digital Workshop

I am in the process of creating a 'front-end' for a program launcher/installer, which will be supplied on a DVD (it will include video as well). The programs to be 'launched' will be part of the DVD.

At the moment, the necessary programs - about 8 in all - are, of course, on my PC: if I reference the files locations (Action-Launch program) - on my PC - how do I make that location ultimately the DVD? Do I have to plan the DVD file hierarchy structure at the outset, will the files be 'embedded into the Opus publication ... in short, how do I go about doing this? The programs to be 'run' will not be on the user's machine - but must be included on the DVD itself.

All the programs to be included are freeware, btw: (like 'Audacity).

Guidance would be appreciated!!

Simplest method would be to have the publication executable in the root of the DVD and the programs in a subdirectory. Then use the SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR variable plus subdirectory name in the launch path.

Mack

Thanks Mack. I think that would do it - I'm not familiar with that 'technique' - but it gives me something to look up and follow.

Just to clarify my understanding of this method, I will assume that I simply copy the exectutable opus file to the 'root' of the DVD, that I create a folder on the DVD (named, say, 'FILES'), put all the executables to be run within that folder, and use the SYSTEM_PUB_DIR variable in the (Opus publication's) links to the actual file names - with the folder name being part of the link. (I haven't looked in the Help files for this variable yet - just answering your reply here, so this is just surmise at the moment. I'm sure it will be clear when i read the info).

Thanks again

Hi Mike,

See the attached screen shot.

There's a *a button at the end of the find at... path that can be used to enter the variable. I think you just follow with the subdirectory but I normally script not actions, so you might need the backslash between

Mack

That'll nail it - thanks again Mack.

I'm having great difficulties here I'm afraid: I thought I understood, but obviously, I don't.

I am developing the publication and have reached the point where I'm now adding the programs to be launched (it is an 'installer 'front end').

I'm trying to add one program to run a test to see how/if it worked.

I selected the 'Launch Program' action on a mouse-click of a button

I entered the program name in the top box - the program to launch.
No parameters in the middle box
In the bottom box, for the location I selected the *a, then <SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR>followed by nothing - I intend to put the files concerned in the root of the DVD.

I tried a publish to my hard drive (it couldn't find 'incremental details - but as this was a first test, I think that would be normal).

When that finished - I clicked on 'Test' to see how it ran - it didn't. During a VERY long period during which the hard drive was continually spinning, I opened the publication folder on my PC, and saw the 'OPUS.EXE file (current working name) - and then, after a further long period I was asked if I wanted to archive it - (I said no) and then it vanished.

I went back into Opus - and the top box for the file name now had an http:/ added in front of it - what is that all about?

Questions:
1. Do I 'manually' have to add the files to be launched at the specified location (i.e. - when it gets to a DVD, load those as well as the opus publication).
2. Looking at the manual it appears that the <SYSTEM_...> is just a parameter - do I need to add more to that - if I am going to put it at the same location as the Opus executable.
and 3 ( ) is there an easier way to do this - I am getting into knots here!

Thanks.

It gets worse - I've removed any links to files to run, and tried to publish the basic 'shell' - twice, once as a 'quick publish - and on both occasions, running the opus.exe file did nothing for about a minute - then simply vanished!

It seems, now, I cannot get any Opus publication to run on either of my PCs - nor my laptop (this is V7). The last version I had publications working without problems is V5 - but even those don't work now.

All PCs are running XP SP3.

very confused me is...

Post the imp Mike, and I'll run it sandboxed to see what happens.

Mack

Thanks for the help!
Me confused too - I cannot get opus running on one PC and my laptop - and although it runs on this PC, I can't make publications with it (though can view OK from within Opus.

I have just put a test install on my wife's Vista laptop - and tried the imp file - and it ran OK. Then I tried a test publication on her machine - and apart from some missing assets which I haven't installed or ported across (music files eg), that runs OK as well.

So it is to do with all three of my own machines here!!!
I've added the IMP file - you'll see from that what I'm trying to do: clicking the program name (Menu page) brings up an installer button: I want that installer button to run the particular installer file. Everything will be on a DVD we're giving away at a weekend AGM/Conference.

My priority is to get the DVD finished so it can be duplicated.

Then I'll need to find out why my PCs are not working with Opus!! (Been using it for years - but now, as I mentioned, even publications from previous versions don't run on them (but do on other people's machines. Thank heaven!).

Again, many thanks for helping with this

Cheers Mike,

But you don't seem to have any example of how you've linked to these programs. All the install buttons are blank.

Mack

Blushes...

Yes, because last time I tried to link to a file (just one to test whether I was doing it right), the whole caboodle froze out on me and I couldn't create a test publication to test it. So I removed the link to try to create a test publication from that. And still couldn't.

In its current form, it only works on my wife's laptop - not any of my machines... (though I can view the pages from within Opus)

Hi Mike,

Okay, had a problem with the missing MP3s, so have had to remove the links to test publish, but it does work - but you'll need to add them back in.

Have attached IMP with Format Factory install working. If FF (I used latest download - FFSetup220.exe) is in same folder as SERIACTIVE.exe then launch button works fine.

Mack

Thanks Mack - I really appreciate that. I should be able to finish the publication using that info as an example, on my wife's laptop.

Then I can try to sort out why Opus doesn't run at all on two of my machines - and doesn't produce results on the third! Something has obviously turned them 'sour' - I've used Opus on one machine for donkeys years, on and off, and only tried it on the other two when that failed.

Not a problem.

As for the problems with Opus, try resetting the registry keys. There is a key combo to do this, but I cannot recall (somebody else will jump in here). I just delete the DW branches from the registry.

Mack

I can certainly try that: when you say a key combo - or delete the DigitalWorkshop branches - do I just go into the registry and delete all things DW? (sounds a bit scary to me - but I'll do it if it gets things working!).

I have had a similar problem on one machine with other programs - SonicFire SmartSound - but for that i had to delete some data files: when the program was started again, those files were recreated.

I guess this would be similar... but in the registry ... ??

I have uninstalled on the laptop and tried a re-install - but I didn't clean the registry. Maybe that's the missing link to get it working.