PyInstallShield facilitates cross-platform installation with its versatile installation program.
PyInstallShield is available in both Spanish and English, making it accessible for a wide range of users. It is open-source software that falls under the GNU General Public License. Plus, it's included with most .tar.gz/.tar.bz2 distributions of Pythoñol, PyBabelPhish, and PyPrint for easy, cross-platform installation.
In terms of system requirements, PyInstallShield requires Python 2.2 or better, Gtk+ 2.0.0 or better, and PyGtk-2 1.99/2.00 or better. There are both setup and uninstallation programs available with PyInstallShield that make it easy for users to install and uninstall applications.
Using PyInstallShield is a straightforward process. After extracting the archive to a directory of your choice, you can place all the files you wish to install for your program in the same directory or relevant subdirectories. Then, you can edit the 'install-config.txt' file in the PyInstallShield directory, with detailed instructions provided to guide you through the process. Finally, you can test your installation by running the 'PyInstallShield' script or by running the 'INSTALL-ME.sh' script.
It's worth noting that PyInstallShield still has limitations and is considered beta code. For example, it cannot yet create 'Start' menu links or icons under Windows, an issue that might be addressed in the future. Under Linux/Unix, PyInstallShield does not add menu shortcuts, as most Linux users don't want programs tampering with their menus. However, 'quick' start-up script executables are made on the PATH, and icons can be placed in the system icon folders.
Finally, if you need a version of PyInstallShield that uses Gtk+1/PyGtk-1, you should obtain a copy of version 0.3 or earlier. As of version 0.4, PyInstallShield uses Gtk+2/PyGtk-2 for the user interface. Overall, PyInstallShield is a promising installation program that makes it easy to install and uninstall applications on different platforms.
Version 0.5.1: N/A