Update:
Please note that forum member @Gyro has a similar thread running to this one, the common objective being to
simplify matters for Windows users wishing to try out and possibly move over to Puppy Linux.
His approach offers a different method and can be found here:
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=113724
I think we also both acknowledge that the lack of built-in optical drives in recent kit has been a factor in Puppy's decline together
with the need sometimes to wrap one's head around the use of quite complex boot/cheat codes depending on the target hardware.
Quite frankly it must be made as simple as possible both to try out and to subsequently install if the rot is to be halted.
The majority of forum members were once themselves pure Windows users and some of us still give various versions some limited kennel room.
Windows 10 however was a game changer for most people as rather than being a true OS it's primary function is as a tracking, targeted advertising,
revenue generating tool that equals or exceeds Google's best efforts in those areas.
In effect Windows 10 has given Linux its best opportunity in years to boost its popularity but we must all rise to the challenge.
(Rant ends)
To return to topic there was the following exchange of posts relating to this thread:
- 3rd July 2018
Burn_IT
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 3121
Location: Tamworth UK
PostPosted: Today, at 07:34 Post subject:
Quote:
A Windows user would need 7-Zip to extract the contents
Not if a self extracting file is created.
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3rd July 2018
Hi Burn_IT,
Yes, it is perfectly possible to offer two self extracting files (.sfx and .exe )
A self-extracting windows archive would not require the user to be running 7-Zip or the Portable Apps version of 7-Zip.
In fact they could download it directly to the root of their data drive [D:] and right click it to scan it before
left clicking it to extract it. It would only add about 4MB to the file size.
Please let me know if you wish to test such a file and I will upload one.
Straight to NTFS partition is a good option as it is performance wise, on a par with non-journaled EXT4.
Regards ETP
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A self-extracting Windows version of the 2nd file (532MB xerus64-8.5.exe) has now been uploaded purely for Windows users who do not have
access to Linux and do not wish to install 7-Zip which would be required if they used the .sfx
In order to write the 1st (16MB Boot Image) file to a card or stick they would need to install Win32diskimager (provided) or Etcher.
As with any downloaded executable in Windows they should first virus scan it before clicking it to extract it once placed
in the root of the stick or [D:] drive.
If targeting a stick it should first be fully re-formatted as NTFS using Windows if you do not possess Linux.