Windows: service vs. application mode

[dean]

Nice!

Caption:

SqueezeCenter Startup

Description:

SqueezeCenter can be set to run automatically. Choose how you'd like
to run SqueezeCenter.

[dean]

On Oct 26, 2007, at 4:00 PM, JJZolx wrote:
> mherger;238228 Wrote:
>> Dean - could you please come up with a reasonable caption and
>> description?
>
> The screenshot suggests that the installer will _require_ a username
> and password in order to be installed as a service. That's not
> reasonable. It should be permitted to run the service under the local
> SYSTEM account.

Yeah, I thought about that, but under what circumstances would it be
preferable to run it as system instead of their user?

We could do that if they leave it blank, and put a note there
indicating so, but I'd rather not bother them with thinking about it
if there's no good reason to run as SYSTEM.

[JJZolx]

Yeah, I thought about that, but under what circumstances would it be
preferable to run it as system instead of their user?

How about security? On a single-user XP Home system isn't the single account going to be an Administrator? Do you _want_ to run as root?

How about existing customers who've run SlimServer as a service for years? Arent' they going to have some questions about why supplying a username/password has suddenly become necessary to install the newest server?

[dean]

On Oct 26, 2007, at 4:46 PM, JJZolx wrote:

>
> dean blackketter;238232 Wrote:
>> Yeah, I thought about that, but under what circumstances would it be
>> preferable to run it as system instead of their user?
>
> How about security? On a single-user XP Home system isn't the single
> account going to be an Administrator? Do you _want_ to run as root?
I want users music to work without compromising security. Providing
that access means that the process sometimes has to run as the user.
Not sure that there's a clean way around that.

> How about existing customers who've run SlimServer as a service for
> years? Arent' they going to have some questions about why supplying a
> username/password has suddenly become necessary to install the newest
> server?
Existing users should probably not be prompted for this choice when
they upgrade and should have their existing installation
configuration preserved. The last thing we want to do is break a
working install with an upgrade.

[mherger]

Existing users should probably not be prompted for this choice when
they upgrade and should have their existing installation
configuration preserved. The last thing we want to do is break a
working install with an upgrade.

Not sure about that: what if a user wants to change mode? Support will tell him to run the wizard again. I'd rather prefer pre-selecting the option he was using, but still display it.

What if the credentials are left blank? Should we display a message "you can continue, but for best experience do as told - yes/no"? If so, what about the wording?

[dean]

On Oct 27, 2007, at 12:14 AM, mherger wrote:
> dean blackketter;238237 Wrote:
>>
>> Existing users should probably not be prompted for this choice when
>> they upgrade and should have their existing installation
>> configuration preserved. The last thing we want to do is break a
>> working install with an upgrade.
>
> Not sure about that: what if a user wants to change mode? Support will
> tell him to run the wizard again. I'd rather prefer pre-selecting the
> option he was using, but still display it.
That's fair.

> What if the credentials are left blank? Should we display a message
> "you can continue, but for best experience do as told - yes/no"? If
> so,
> what about the wording?

------------------------------------------------------

SqueezeCenter Startup

If you don't specify a name and password, the SqueezeCenter service
will run as the anonymous "System" user which may have difficulty
finding your music. Click back to change this setting or continue to
use the "System" user.

------------------------------------------------------

[Devans]

Not sure about that: what if a user wants to change mode? Support will tell him to run the wizard again. I'd rather prefer pre-selecting the option he was using, but still display it.

There must be some way to change running modes without uninstalling and reinstalling the server. Currently you can do that via the Tray icon, or from the SystemPref pane.

How will the user change to Service mode with credentials AFTER the server is installed?

Also...

Can the install page be altered thus:

SqueezeCenter Startup

SqueezeCenter can be set to run automatically. Choose how you'd like to run SqueezeCenter:

(x) Start SqueezeCenter when I log in.

[Advanced Options]

^^
The Advanced Options button would reveal the Service and credential options. Or this could be done with that little right-arrow that when clicked becomes a down-arrow and reveals more text. (sorry, don't how the UI programming way to describe that.)

[mherger]

> There must be some way to change running modes without uninstalling and
> reinstalling the server.

It's pretty painless, isn't it? You don't need to uninstall.

> Currently you can do that via the Tray icon,
> or from the SystemPref pane.

That's still possible. We're only changing the default behaviour.

> How will the user change to Service mode with credentials AFTER the
> server is installed?

Reinstall. Just launch the installer again. This won't touch settings, nor
uninstall plugins or anything.

> (x) Start SqueezeCenter when I log in.
>
> [Advanced Options]
>
> The Advanced Options button would reveal the Service and credential
> options. Or this could be done with that little right-arrow that when
> clicked becomes a down-arrow and reveals more text. (sorry, don't how
> the UI programming way to describe that.)

Neither do I. But having a one element radio button list doesn't make
sense to me. I don't see why the current layout should be more confusing
than a list from which you only can choose one option, plus some Advanced
button leading to more options. Let's not make it more complicated than
needed.

--

Michael

-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.herger.net/SlimCD - your SlimServer on a CD
http://www.herger.net/slim - AlbumReview, Biography, MusicInfoSCR

[elziko]

I'm very naughty and have only read the first post - so apologies if what I write is a repeat of someone else's post. If it is - consider that I agree!

I think you should go for option 3, but allow the user to skip the part of the installer where he should enter user credentials.

If the users does skip this, then fall back to option 2 - then everyone is happy.

[mherger]

> I'm very naughty and have only read the first post - so apologies if
> what I write is a repeat of someone else's post.

You should have read at least the last posting, too. I've uploaded a new installer today. Please give it a try and comment. Thanks!

Michael