QGIS UK Scotland 6 Armitage

Tom Armitage's presentation on the University of Edinburgh's process for install QGIS across a network. Presented at 6th Scottish QGIS UK user group meeting.

Transcript

1. Installing QGIS on a Network How the University of Edinburgh made QGIS available on its Managed Desktop system
2. The University Network • Serves over 13,000 staff and over 37,000 students • Largest campus computing network in Britain • More than 3000 computers across open-access and specialist labs
3. The Human Network • Identify • Connect • Inform
4. Mailing List • Poll users: • When to update • Which version to update to • Inform users of the changes • Share links to resources
5. Options & Conditions • 64 Bit • Version 2.14.3 (LTR) • No Desktop Icons • Must be easy to cleanly Uninstall
6. How wasn’t it done? • Usually use App-V but not in this case • Not sure that this would support the use of user downloaded plugins • No MSI or other standard installer • No well known scripting installer • Silent installer is not well documented • Needed to search QGIS forums for details
7. How was it done? Using a command script to manually install then customise: • A very simple command defines the installer QGIS-OSGeo4W-2.14.3-1-Setup-x86_64.exe /S /D=<installationlocation> • Where /S means silent install and /D is the location i.e. C:\Program Files • Manual tidy up cleans the start menu & removes desktop icons
8. How is it undone? • Another simple command defines the uninstaller C:\Program Files\QGIS Essen\Uninstall- QGIS.exe /S _?=c:\PROGRA~1\QGIS Essen • There are some registry items to clear: • HKLM\Software\QGIS Essen • HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\QGIS Essen • Manual tidy removes the QGIS installation directory
9. Conclusions • Very easy by normal standards • Best to avoid virtual installers for plugins • Get a community to consult on changes • There is no need to be afraid of OpenSource software on large network installations • Can’t wait to run the process for QGIS 3.2!