Network Installation

Hi All

I have searched for the titled query "Network Installation", hoping to find the solution to the easiest way to install the software on multiple machines at once.  This search led me to http://community.stencyl.com/index.php/topic,1656.msg11988.html#msg11988 and the below answer:

Hi, take a look at this article -

https://github.com/Stencyl/stencylpedia/blob/master/chapter-e/msi.md

(Edit - November 2015 - Added in working link)

This article however doesn't exist (the date posted was June 2011).  Is there a guide anywhere on the best way to install Stencyl across a network?  Just as silent triggers for the .exe

Having read on, I am also made aware that workspaces will have to be changed from being on c: to the writable network drives.  Does this have to be done by each user every time they use the product, we use mandatory profiles so the users can't save info here, or does the workspace work with a variable set by an administrator?

Any help appreciated before I start to trial and error on the best setup.

Thanks for your question - I'll have Joe take this one since he's working with other educators (I'm assuming you are or are affiliated with an educator?) on this specific use case.

Yes I am, I work within a school.

Hi achandler, have your issue been addressed?

Not yet

We've had other educators report success performing network installations. Every time StencylWorks loads, it'll automatically look for (and create, if necessary) a workspace directory in the user's home folder. So if the students' home folders are located on a network drive, this should "just work."

Give this a try, and let me know how it goes!

We're also looking into offering an MSI installer down the line, which administrators can use to remotely install StencylWorks across a network.

So currently I need to use a batch script to run the .exe to install it?

If so I will try that next week, it is a little disapointing that there isn't a page that informs me of this so i don't have to ask the question on a forum.

So currently I need to use a batch script to run the .exe to install it?

If so I will try that next week, it is a little disapointing that there isn't a page that informs me of this so i don't have to ask the question on a forum.

I presume you're referring to a silent install, in which case, yes. That's not specific to StencylWorks, though.

We're bumping the MSI installer up in priority, so neither you nor anyone else will have to worry about this.

I have tried using a batch script to install Stencyl, using /silent and /quiet in an attempt to stop the .exe prompting me for any user input as I would normally.

I have finally cracked this, using complete trial and error as to what switch i needed to use to make the exe silent.

You need to use /S and it is case sensitive.  I have just gone through about 20 different switches to work out which one it is.

Thanks for following up! Would you mind writing up a couple of bullet points stating exactly what you had to do? We'll tidy it up and post it for the community until we get the MSI installer worked out.

I will do, so far I have noticed that no shortcut is created by default for Stencyl on either the desktop (which i dont want anyway) or on the start menu.

I'm assuming this is as a result of the silent install but I want some of the students to have a mess about on it so i can see if there is anything else I need to change.

That's great.

If you do not mind, can you give us an overview of the class and how stencyl will be taught? Will it be like a ten week semester course on game making/computer science learning?

I will ask the member of staff who intends to use it.

I am currently trying to get around another issue, Stencyl defaults the save location to be the Stencyl install folder, now our students do not have permission to save here and so are asked to choose a different location.

I am wondering if there is a method of setting the default location for them, i've looked through a few of the files to see if it is within them and can't see it.

Preferences > Workspace - set the workspace folder to alter the location. If you need something more general like "always use the home folder", let us know.