DHIS2 Live USB edition

Hi Knut,

I have created an installer for DHIS2 which includes a JRE and
embedded browser. Thanks to long Scandinavian days and fresh air, I
was able to take this off my to do list for now. I have uploaded it
to hispkerala.org

/home/hispkera/home/hispkera/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

I moved it here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

So with this edition the JRE and the Firefox portable browser are
included, which is launched by default when DHIS2 is opened. So no
need to install Java and no need to use IE, even if it is not the
default browser.

I just tried it after first removing Java from my machine for testing
- will also test with Java installed, should not make a difference.

Since I had FF running, I got the following message: "Another instance
of Firefox is already running. Please close other instances of Firefox
before launching Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition."

Ideally, we would also detect whether FF is running, and if so just
open a new tab? Otherwise, it seems we can configure FF portable to
run alongside FF:
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=523037&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Knut

···

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Jason Pickering <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

I have hacked up Bob's DHIS live app to achieve this and will be in
touch with him separately about how to fix it properly.

Regards,
Jason

---
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

A few more comments:

1) For some reason, the installer hung at the end when I tried to
install on a USB stick. I then installed on my harddrive and just
copied the resulting folder to the USB stick (as we usually do for
DHIS Live), and things worked fine.

2) We could consider Prism instead of FF portable

3) I notice there is also JRE portable, not sure if that gives us
anything: http://portableapps.com/news/2010-06-19-_java_portable_6_update_20

4) You did not include the demo database - and that's fine. We have
discussed before the desire to augment DHIS Live with functionality to
easily swap databases - though the manual operation is of course also
very simple, if we document it well.

5) The final README is a bit cluttered and may be confusing to many
users. I think we could cut it considerably.

Knut

···

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Jason Pickering > <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Knut,

I have created an installer for DHIS2 which includes a JRE and
embedded browser. Thanks to long Scandinavian days and fresh air, I
was able to take this off my to do list for now. I have uploaded it
to hispkerala.org

/home/hispkera/home/hispkera/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

I moved it here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

So with this edition the JRE and the Firefox portable browser are
included, which is launched by default when DHIS2 is opened. So no
need to install Java and no need to use IE, even if it is not the
default browser.

I just tried it after first removing Java from my machine for testing
- will also test with Java installed, should not make a difference.

Since I had FF running, I got the following message: "Another instance
of Firefox is already running. Please close other instances of Firefox
before launching Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition."

Ideally, we would also detect whether FF is running, and if so just
open a new tab? Otherwise, it seems we can configure FF portable to
run alongside FF:
multiple firefox and firefox portable at the same time - mozillaZine Forums

Knut

I have hacked up Bob's DHIS live app to achieve this and will be in
touch with him separately about how to fix it properly.

Regards,
Jason

---
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

For comparison, I've uploaded a plain 7z file (after removing the db
and the 55 MB rollbackBackupDirectory) here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS-2.0.4.7z

It may be nice to have both the installer and the zipped file for
different use cases?

The zip file is convenient in that the webapp and database can be
updated easily, without installing and running Bitrock.

The installer is better for "profiling" (not in the technical sense of
that term) in that it looks more professional, has logos and
highlights licensing etc.

The question is wether we also need installers with Tomcat, Postgres
and Mysql. Perhaps this is only needed in countries that choose LAN
setups (i.e. local installs serving multiple users), but I think even
in these cases a "DHIS appliance" hardware box that has everything
installed on top of Linux (or a Linux CD or virtual machine "DHIS
distro") is usually a better way to go.

Knut

···

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

A few more comments:

1) For some reason, the installer hung at the end when I tried to
install on a USB stick. I then installed on my harddrive and just
copied the resulting folder to the USB stick (as we usually do for
DHIS Live), and things worked fine.

2) We could consider Prism instead of FF portable

3) I notice there is also JRE portable, not sure if that gives us
anything: http://portableapps.com/news/2010-06-19-_java_portable_6_update_20

4) You did not include the demo database - and that's fine. We have
discussed before the desire to augment DHIS Live with functionality to
easily swap databases - though the manual operation is of course also
very simple, if we document it well.

5) The final README is a bit cluttered and may be confusing to many
users. I think we could cut it considerably.

Knut

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Jason Pickering >> <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Knut,

I have created an installer for DHIS2 which includes a JRE and
embedded browser. Thanks to long Scandinavian days and fresh air, I
was able to take this off my to do list for now. I have uploaded it
to hispkerala.org

/home/hispkera/home/hispkera/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

I moved it here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

So with this edition the JRE and the Firefox portable browser are
included, which is launched by default when DHIS2 is opened. So no
need to install Java and no need to use IE, even if it is not the
default browser.

I just tried it after first removing Java from my machine for testing
- will also test with Java installed, should not make a difference.

Since I had FF running, I got the following message: "Another instance
of Firefox is already running. Please close other instances of Firefox
before launching Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition."

Ideally, we would also detect whether FF is running, and if so just
open a new tab? Otherwise, it seems we can configure FF portable to
run alongside FF:
multiple firefox and firefox portable at the same time - mozillaZine Forums

Knut

I have hacked up Bob's DHIS live app to achieve this and will be in
touch with him separately about how to fix it properly.

Regards,
Jason

---
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

Thanks for testing. i will check out prism and the embdeed JRE.

I am thinking that this may be a better strategy for deciding which
browser to use.

1) Check for a DHIS2_BROWSER variable, which should be a path to a
browser which has either been set by the user or been set during the
installation process. If this exists, and is valid, launch DHIS2 in
this browser.
2) If no variable exists, test for a directory (at this case,
FireFoxPortable) and use this browser. I think this is going to be
required when the application is launched from a USB key, and has not
been installed on the system at all. We cannot guarantee that a
browser envar has been set, or that a suitable browser exists, or that
even a JRE exists. So, we can try and make it as self-contained as
possible.
3) If none of this works, just use the default browser.

I am testing this code now, and will provide it to Bob for comments.
Other comments are welcome.

I think that this implementation should not affect those already using
the DHISlive.exe file, as if the envar is not set, and the
FireFoxPortable (or prism or whatever we feel is best for a browser to
distribute with DHIS2) then the default browser will get launched
anyway.

Regards,
Jason

···

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:39 PM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

For comparison, I've uploaded a plain 7z file (after removing the db
and the 55 MB rollbackBackupDirectory) here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS-2.0.4.7z

It may be nice to have both the installer and the zipped file for
different use cases?

The zip file is convenient in that the webapp and database can be
updated easily, without installing and running Bitrock.

The installer is better for "profiling" (not in the technical sense of
that term) in that it looks more professional, has logos and
highlights licensing etc.

The question is wether we also need installers with Tomcat, Postgres
and Mysql. Perhaps this is only needed in countries that choose LAN
setups (i.e. local installs serving multiple users), but I think even
in these cases a "DHIS appliance" hardware box that has everything
installed on top of Linux (or a Linux CD or virtual machine "DHIS
distro") is usually a better way to go.

Knut

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

A few more comments:

1) For some reason, the installer hung at the end when I tried to
install on a USB stick. I then installed on my harddrive and just
copied the resulting folder to the USB stick (as we usually do for
DHIS Live), and things worked fine.

2) We could consider Prism instead of FF portable

3) I notice there is also JRE portable, not sure if that gives us
anything: Java Portable 6 Update 20 Released | PortableApps.com

4) You did not include the demo database - and that's fine. We have
discussed before the desire to augment DHIS Live with functionality to
easily swap databases - though the manual operation is of course also
very simple, if we document it well.

5) The final README is a bit cluttered and may be confusing to many
users. I think we could cut it considerably.

Knut

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Jason Pickering >>> <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Knut,

I have created an installer for DHIS2 which includes a JRE and
embedded browser. Thanks to long Scandinavian days and fresh air, I
was able to take this off my to do list for now. I have uploaded it
to hispkerala.org

/home/hispkera/home/hispkera/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

I moved it here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

So with this edition the JRE and the Firefox portable browser are
included, which is launched by default when DHIS2 is opened. So no
need to install Java and no need to use IE, even if it is not the
default browser.

I just tried it after first removing Java from my machine for testing
- will also test with Java installed, should not make a difference.

Since I had FF running, I got the following message: "Another instance
of Firefox is already running. Please close other instances of Firefox
before launching Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition."

Ideally, we would also detect whether FF is running, and if so just
open a new tab? Otherwise, it seems we can configure FF portable to
run alongside FF:
multiple firefox and firefox portable at the same time - mozillaZine Forums

Knut

I have hacked up Bob's DHIS live app to achieve this and will be in
touch with him separately about how to fix it properly.

Regards,
Jason

---
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp

--
--
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

Thanks for testing. i will check out prism and the embdeed JRE.

I'm not 100% sure about Prism - did try it today and it works fine,
but not sure if it gets all the FF updates (perhaps it does). We
really want recent browsers with fast Javascript engines, especially
for GIS.

Perhaps the best is Chrome Portable:

For Prism, some (easy) configuration seems necessary (I did not do it fully):
http://groups.google.com/group/mozilla-labs-prism/browse_thread/thread/b60ff86c51482348?pli=1

I am thinking that this may be

1) Check for a DHIS2_BROWSER variable, which should be a path to a
browser which has either been set by the user or been set during the
installation process. If this exists, and is valid, launch DHIS2 in
this browser.

I don't think this is a good idea. We dont want to depend on envar.

2) If no variable exists, test for a directory (at this case,
FireFoxPortable) and use this browser. I think this is going to be
required when the application is launched from a USB key, and has not
been installed on the system at all. We cannot guarantee that a
browser envar has been set, or that a suitable browser exists, or that
even a JRE exists. So, we can try and make it as self-contained as
possible.

YES. Self-contained. We are pretty much there, just need to set the FF
portable mode to run alongside FF.

3) If none of this works, just use the default browser.

Sure.

Knut

···

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 7:16 PM, Jason Pickering <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

I am testing this code now, and will provide it to Bob for comments.
Other comments are welcome.

I think that this implementation should not affect those already using
the DHISlive.exe file, as if the envar is not set, and the
FireFoxPortable (or prism or whatever we feel is best for a browser to
distribute with DHIS2) then the default browser will get launched
anyway.

Regards,
Jason

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:39 PM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

For comparison, I've uploaded a plain 7z file (after removing the db
and the 55 MB rollbackBackupDirectory) here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS-2.0.4.7z

It may be nice to have both the installer and the zipped file for
different use cases?

The zip file is convenient in that the webapp and database can be
updated easily, without installing and running Bitrock.

The installer is better for "profiling" (not in the technical sense of
that term) in that it looks more professional, has logos and
highlights licensing etc.

The question is wether we also need installers with Tomcat, Postgres
and Mysql. Perhaps this is only needed in countries that choose LAN
setups (i.e. local installs serving multiple users), but I think even
in these cases a "DHIS appliance" hardware box that has everything
installed on top of Linux (or a Linux CD or virtual machine "DHIS
distro") is usually a better way to go.

Knut

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

A few more comments:

1) For some reason, the installer hung at the end when I tried to
install on a USB stick. I then installed on my harddrive and just
copied the resulting folder to the USB stick (as we usually do for
DHIS Live), and things worked fine.

2) We could consider Prism instead of FF portable

3) I notice there is also JRE portable, not sure if that gives us
anything: Java Portable 6 Update 20 Released | PortableApps.com

4) You did not include the demo database - and that's fine. We have
discussed before the desire to augment DHIS Live with functionality to
easily swap databases - though the manual operation is of course also
very simple, if we document it well.

5) The final README is a bit cluttered and may be confusing to many
users. I think we could cut it considerably.

Knut

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Jason Pickering >>>> <jason.p.pickering@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Knut,

I have created an installer for DHIS2 which includes a JRE and
embedded browser. Thanks to long Scandinavian days and fresh air, I
was able to take this off my to do list for now. I have uploaded it
to hispkerala.org

/home/hispkera/home/hispkera/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

I moved it here:
http://hispkerala.org/older_downloads/DHIS2-2.0.4-windows-lite-usb.exe

So with this edition the JRE and the Firefox portable browser are
included, which is launched by default when DHIS2 is opened. So no
need to install Java and no need to use IE, even if it is not the
default browser.

I just tried it after first removing Java from my machine for testing
- will also test with Java installed, should not make a difference.

Since I had FF running, I got the following message: "Another instance
of Firefox is already running. Please close other instances of Firefox
before launching Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition."

Ideally, we would also detect whether FF is running, and if so just
open a new tab? Otherwise, it seems we can configure FF portable to
run alongside FF:
multiple firefox and firefox portable at the same time - mozillaZine Forums

Knut

I have hacked up Bob's DHIS live app to achieve this and will be in
touch with him separately about how to fix it properly.

Regards,
Jason

---
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp

--
--
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

--
Cheers,
Knut Staring