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DESCRIPTION
FileStorm is designed to create customizable installers for Mac OS X software products. It offers a rich WYSIWYG visual user interface to create customized disk image files (.dmg files) for delivering software products via the Internet. In addition, the built-in CD burning capabilities allow the developer to seamlessly create CD-ROMs from disk images. The developer has the capability to easily customize the look and feel of their disk images with customized backgrounds, icon placement, and more.
WHAT'S NEW
release notes not available currently
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.1 or later.

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SCREENSHOT

Developer:MindVision Software
Downloads:7,302
  - Version d/l:1,183
Utilities:Compression
License:Demo
Date:19 Feb 2008
Platform:PPC/Intel
Price:$19.95
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FileStorm User Reviews (12 posts)Write A Review
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Feb 20 2008

I will need to make an installer in the near future so I'm quite curious about how is this any better than using the (free) Apple PackageMaker.

If someone could give me some hits that would be great.

Thank you so much!

Pedro  
(Version 1.9.5)

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Feb 22 2008

KARSTEN@BRIKSOFTWARE.COM  You can use FileStorm to create disc images with a custom background and place the icons where they appear after in the final disc image. That makes it extremely convenient to create disc images like you can see in most applications.

If you need to create an installer using apple's package maker, you probably have to install files somewhere in the system. If you don't have to do that and just have a single application file that can be moved to the applications folder you should stick to a disc image.

If you use FileStorm for the disc image creation is up to you, as you can also do that with apple's Disk Utility app (google for it, there're plenty tutorials out there on how to do that) but the usability of FileStorm compared to using Disk Utility is so much better!

Karsten  
(Version 1.9.5)

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Feb 20 2008
*****

PERSON1229  FileStorm is great! It has never failed me! MindVision support is always on top of trying to help you, and the program makes disk images professional. Just drag and drop your files in, and move them where you want them. It really couldn't be easier!

I use it to package all of my software, and it's really bumped up the way people look at my software!  
(Version 1.9.5)

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Feb 10 2008
*....

MARUKO DRINKING TEAM  This is quite literally one of the worst software purchases I have ever made in my entire Mac-using life. Due to several different bugs that I discovered while trying to use it, I never did use FileStorm beyond that first project that I bought it for.

Nevertheless, every time I update that old project, FileStorm fails in a different way. Broken disk images, crashes, or error alerts stating that my valid license code can't be used due to error number whatever. Each time I use this app, I end up having to email tech support, wait for their reply, and then do something like run some typo-riddled installer (not a standard installer, mind you, but the crappy one this company makes), which they email me as an attachment, giving admin privileges and let it do lord knows what to my system. Stay away from this junk!  
(Version 1.9.1)

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Jan 16 2008

SOSARIAN  FileStorm 1.9.1 usually fails in its disk image finalizing process under Leopard (10.5 and 10.5.1). They have apparently fixed this problem internally a couple of months ago but are sitting on the fix for some reason.

If MindVision could just release 1.9.2 with this one fix, FileStorm would be great again. I hope they're not expecting to make people pay for an upgraded 2.0 in order to get a fix for this problem.

Bottom line, if you're a Leopard user, 1.9.1 may be a waste of your time and money.  
(Version 1.9.1)

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Feb 2 2008

KARSTEN@BRIKSOFTWARE.COM  yeah that's true... this app is insanely great for creating cool custom dmg files, but it's most unfortunate that it behaves so badly in 10.5... if you need to finalize a dmg more than once while your mac is running it's really hard to do so. it seems that sometimes the dmg is not unmounted properly and then you really have to restart your mac to have the finalization process working again :-/

anyway, still the best app to create custom disk images  
(Version 1.9.1)

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Dec 22 2005

ABHI BECKERT  Do your users a favor and avoid third party installers if at all possible.

Use a dmg for apps, and show any license agreements/read mes the first time a user opens the app.

If you need to install extensions or something, use a standard installer package. User's are familiar with them, they work well, and you never have to worry about bugs in future versions of the OS.  
(Version 1.8.2)

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May 6 2005

ANONYMOUS  I have been happy with FileStorm until now. It doesn't seem to work properly on OS X 10.4 Tiger. The resulting disk image opens, but the layout is completely messed up.

Hope there'll be a fix soon.  
(Version 1.8)

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Apr 24 2005
*****

AUSTIN  Insanely easy to create customized disk images with license agreements, etc. Bought it right away. Nice work!  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 24 2005
****½

ANONYMOUS  great software.

nice price (free licensing once bought)

anonymous surely has never used system software which needs to place files at specific places. (think any kernel extension, third party system preferences, etc...)  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 27 2005

ANONYMOUS  1. User's shouldn't be installing kernel extensions.

2. Pref panes get installed by System Preferences.app on double click.  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 24 2005
*****

MERE MORTAL  This is a great application. It makes it very easy to create professional installers. And the price is very reasonable. Highly recommended.  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 24 2005
*½...

ANONYMOUS  Installers are a symptom of a badly designed operating system. Mac OS X does not need them, and the use of an installer actually reduces the value of the software that uses it.  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 24 2005

ANONYMOUS  Sure. Let's tell our users that they have to work out how to store the necessary files across the usr/bin and Library folders themselves.

Installers are hardly a sign of a badly-designed OS. If you're going to be distributing a single app which you can just drop off in Applications, then yes, you don't need an installer. But if your app requires libraries stored in one or more different places, etc. (such as Apple's software does), then you're going to need an installer. Unless you want to leave it up to the end-user and then field many, many complaints from those who couldn't figure out how to get it to work.  
(Version 1.8)

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Feb 27 2005

ANONYMOUS  Sure. Let's tell our users that they have to work out how to store the necessary files across the usr/bin and Library folders themselves.

Actually, let's. At most, provide a shell script to do it. If they're knowledgable enough to be using these things, they're knowledgable enough to use the cp command.  
(Version 1.8)

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Jan 16 2008

SOSARIAN  FileStorm is a utility for making disk images, not necessarily including an installer at all. Developers indeed should only use installers when absolutely necessary, but that's really nothing to do with FileStorm.  
(Version 1.9.1)

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