37 Signals and Vista

There's a post at 37Signals with video on how hard it is to install a script debugger on Vista (using RC1). You should be aware though that they use Macs to develop their software - so pinch of salt and all that.

Is this a fair comment, after all most end users won't bother installing a script debugger, and is it really that much hassle for a developer to do this once?

37Signals wrote:

used to debug JavaScript in IE. After finding the link on Microsoft’s web site, it takes a stunning 35 clicks through nearly as many dialog boxes just to get the thing installed. (Keep reading for videos and an explanation.)

37Signals wrote:

If you’re a web developer, it’s pretty obvious Microsoft isn’t interested in making things any easier for you,

I haven't clicked on the link yet, but the Script-Debugger in VS2003/VS2005 works fine with IE without any installation steps, so what debugger are they having probles with?

They are trying to install this  (Script Debugger for Windows NT 4.0 and Later) They only have IE7 installed for testing, so no need to buy a copy of VS.

In all fairness they went the long way around installing it as well...

1. They could have installed the ActiveX control, that would have saved them the clicking for GenuineCheck.exe and the copy to clipboard, and the right click and paste and continue.
2. Opening IE and searching for it (the script debugger) is not part of the script debugger application. You'd have to do those steps on any OS which you don't know the direct URL
3. The installation failed the first time (I know this is a reach), they probably could have used 5744 and it MAY have succedded...thus not having a problem requiring more clicks.
4. Did they count everytime of clicking retry as a click?
5. "Always ask before opening this file" is checked, while good practice an option that Microsoft does not force on you.

Once you get down to it, it only takes 5 clicks for the actual application once you have it downloaded. I wonder why they made such a big deal out of it?

RossJ wrote:

You should be aware though that they use Macs to develop their software

Ah there we go, more FUD

Rossj wrote:

...so pinch of salt and all that...

Well Rossj, that's just part of the point they're trying to make (I think, anyway). If you use Windows every day - all the time you're numbed out. You don't realise that you're constatntly clicking and clicking at odd and erronious messages. Look at the mac video in comparison. The only 'warning' they got was after they DL'ed the program. No 'genuine' check and no errors in their installation instructions/installation packages. I thought it was a good and fair comparison.

matt0210 wrote:

If you use Windows every day - all the time you're numbed out. You don't realise that you're constatntly clicking and clicking at odd and erronious messages.

Desensibilisiert. Das ist warum ich eine Mac benutzen