Nice looking program but I can't figure out how to get it to create an install that will place functioning program start-up icons in the desktop and startup menu, the help file is too cursory to explain how to accomplish this, and emails to their technical support go unanswered.

Has any one else figured it out? Could you explain it?

Thanks.

Suspect trojan picked up "Backdoor.Win32.mIRC-based.j" using your giveaway a-squared anti-malware program!

Spiritwolf, thank you so very much for the information. People like you are the reason people like me participate in forums so we can learn from those who have the experience of trial and error. The information you have given me is extremely valuable and will be used for a long time to come! Again, thank you for taking the time to respond.

This Installer Program Rock"Z

The activate exe is flawed. Even Norton sets off warning while activating. Its not developer's fault, but the way Goated presents it to us that needs to be changed/improved.

I had this when it was last released, now I have the update for my new pc :)

It works well and is very similar to the INNO interface mentioned by others, easy activation and simple to use.

For me I used it to create install files for game mods, like custom terrains for a FPS Game I play and things like that, no need anymore for extensive unpacking zip/rar files and readme help file stuff to get what you want installed, it's not useless to me and my anti-spam/virus program didn't detect any problems with it.

Great program you can get for free today, if you miss the giveaway try the INNO program as it's very similar, and always free.
Thanks to InstallBuilders Company and the GAOTD team for another great program!

would really love to install this and give it a try as i could really get some great home use out of it (as others explained, the great home use is sharing things with folks who aren’t as good at dealing with scary things like computers), but would really love to not have my comp screwed up.

can anyone in any sort of OFFICIAL capacity tell me if I can safely install this? there are only a few hours left before this expires and i would really like the chance to install it…withOUT infecting my computer.

thanks again for what sounds like a very promising program :)

Todays GAOTD installed smoothly on both my XP and Vista machines, the program shows it is registered, and it really does look like an awesome program with nice features.

Before installing, I also scanned the program with my NOD32 and Spybot S&D scanners on my machines, both returned clean scans. I have had VERY few false alerts with these two programs.

The below site, AV Comparatives, has good reports on various antivirus/antimalware products, their effectiveness, and the degree of false alerts.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Other independent antivirus comparison sites:
http://www.av-test.org/
http://www.bestantivirusdownload.com/
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/antivirus-software/
http://shopper.cnet.com/compare-antivirus-software/

When trying to compare products as accurately as possible,its necessary (although sometimes difficult) to try to find unbiased independent tests & evaluations.

Detailed description of the actions of Trojan.StartPage.bgp
http://www.quickheal.co.in/alerts-Trjn-StartPage-bgp.asp

Strangely, I haven't been able to find any indepth data for the other two found by VirusTotal.


VirScan, which is similar to VirusTotal, found results similar to VirusTotal findings, with the exception of Heur.W32 also being detected.

http://virscan.org/report/5394ce51ea8293566c5f91e0ef41e98c.html

If the developer is reading comments here, it would be beneficial if he would post comments to explain why the program is generating multiple alerts.

http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/0edf0a2617180aed4a8bedecd2a60724

VirusTotal report for today's giveaway:
File SmartInstallMaker.zip received on 08.30.2008 03:38:49 (CET)
Current status: finished

Result: 5/34 (14.71%)
Compact Print results
Antivirus Version Last Update Result
AhnLab-V3 2008.8.29.0 2008.08.29 -
AntiVir 7.8.1.23 2008.08.29 -
Authentium 5.1.0.4 2008.08.29 -
Avast 4.8.1195.0 2008.08.29 -
AVG 8.0.0.161 2008.08.29 -
BitDefender 7.2 2008.08.30 -
CAT-QuickHeal 9.50 2008.08.29 Trojan.StartPage.bgp
ClamAV 0.93.1 2008.08.29 -
DrWeb 4.44.0.09170 2008.08.29 -
eSafe 7.0.17.0 2008.08.28 -
eTrust-Vet 31.6.6057 2008.08.29 -
Ewido 4.0 2008.08.29 -
F-Prot 4.4.4.56 2008.08.29 -
Fortinet 3.14.0.0 2008.08.29 -
GData 19 2008.08.30 -
Ikarus T3.1.1.34.0 2008.08.30 Trojan.StartPage.bgg
K7AntiVirus 7.10.432 2008.08.29 -
Kaspersky 7.0.0.125 2008.08.30 -
McAfee 5373 2008.08.29 -
Microsoft 1.3807 2008.08.25 -
NOD32v2 3401 2008.08.30 -
Panda 9.0.0.4 2008.08.29 Suspicious file
PCTools 4.4.2.0 2008.08.29 -
Prevx1 V2 2008.08.30 Suspicious
Rising 20.59.41.00 2008.08.29 -
Sophos 4.33.0 2008.08.29 -
Sunbelt 3.1.1592.1 2008.08.30 -
Symantec 10 2008.08.30 -
TheHacker 6.3.0.6.068 2008.08.30 -
TrendMicro 8.700.0.1004 2008.08.29 -
VBA32 3.12.8.4 2008.08.29 -
ViRobot 2008.8.29.1355 2008.08.29 -
VirusBuster 4.5.11.0 2008.08.29 Backdoor.mIRC-Based.AS
Webwasher-Gateway 6.6.2 2008.08.29 -
Additional information
File size: 1535224 bytes
MD5...: c22e15a9a0feb951d224482071ba3e73
SHA1..: 62092e5beaff2d3608757f015680b7e7fa403ceb
SHA256: a93be00b4cbc07a65c4e11797eb33a8d3916d9e3ae90548e4862442ef8863b67
SHA512: 4a760f9ec2956e498f3ac7ffb7f765ef5c88bbc75361a1a60523aef809fdf35e
824ee3cb6c0dc12da3359003ac425020c2e56ed9715e867ddf0522cb2abf4e18
PEiD..: -
TrID..: File type identification
ZIP compressed archive (100.0%)
PEInfo: -
Prevx info: http://info.prevx.com/aboutprogramtext.asp?PX5=7F7BEA85321E46BAD16816E23A501400CBDF2A6A
packers (F-Prot): ZIP

The next question to ask yourself, is if the program is one where it's INTENDED purpose includes actions that may mimic the actions of malware. Some legitimate program behaviors are also behaviors used by malware, which is another reason something may cause alerts but not be harmful.

If this is the case, the developer may want to include a note informing users that the program includes actions that may be incorrectly flagged as malware behaviors, and describe the behavior of the program that causes false alerts.

@ #89 I have found that a-squared gives a lot of false alerts. I suggest you do what I do about a-squared alerts, upload the file to VirusTotal free online scanner, which will scan the file using a good sized group of well-known scanning engines.
VirusTotal then will display a report listing the engines used and all their results. You can then compare the findings, and determine more accurately, whether the app in question truly has a malware problem with it, or if you were just getting another false alert.
http://www.virustotal.com/

Ok, this is added to #18
I can't believe all the people complaining aabout commercial capabilities and spyware warnings.
I actually love this software, and have used 5.0 for along time. Thing is thou, i don't have every malware protection application out there. Also, about the warning for commercial use- blah.
My opinion on this software has changed after reading all these posts. First, the software is free as others have stated- whats the use for developers if they can't sale the install package? I agree, the no commercial clause is absolutely a crock. Infact, i bet the developer put a back-end into this software giveaway to either track install packages or to get FREE users to not use it commercially. All in all, I download and try software from this site on my computer [on a spare drive partition 99% of the time]. Then i give my reviews here on this board. This is what people do everyday here. Some people give some really legnthly reviews. People who give reviews for things in this world get paid by their magazine or television station. We provide a service to the developers, and receive a software liscence in return. To get a piece of software that is tainted by a back door, or gliche theat i believe was deliberate will imapct the future sells of this software. Just like a music program i downloaded the other day that said "you need IE7 installed"... what?
I am a developer "yippy", I guess i can say that i am by now... anyway- as a developer i know just how easy it is to CALL external data from the internet silently in the form of flash movieclips and also by opening hidden internet windows to web pages that have dangerous and malicious javascript and such. It is a piece of cake! Well, i don't know Java- but i am working on a program that has both internet windows visible and hidden along with streaming FLASH movieclip built in. Hehe, i think its ok for me- because it goes with the theme of the software i develope, and it can be optioned out- and isn't required [stuff like random events, like flies walking on screen- or bugs- or fire- or sound effects.
So i guess what i am trying to say is, i just woke up and havnt finished my first cup of coffee yet so my thinking is slow [but i have spent quite a bit of time on here since 12 midnight last night- 4 times i have been here watching comments]. Wait thats not what I was going to say... hmmm... oh, yes- its not paranoia, i think the developer put a back door on this app to either track it or to discourage people from using it commercialy.
What a shame, because now that i have read some of my fellow posters posts... my view point on promoting other software not being given away of the day [like go get this other always free version] has changed. This application, and its other copies from my previous download last year will get xtra deleted- and I will try istead...
NullSoft INNO NSIS
thanks posters for lookin out for each other!
By the way... i am so happy that i havnt given away install packages yet... how embarrassing! FDSAGASgsSGFfgdfg!!!

Does anyone know if this installs DLLs from the developers machine into the installer?

EXCELLENT PROGRAM!!! Although I've had little experience with creating installation programs, I find this lovely program straight forward, easy to use and an accomplished method of distributing a program. Thank you Install Builders Company, and GAOTD. I personally cannot understand the lack of gratitude of downloaders for your wonderful product.

Robin

Um, I was wondering how much applicability there can be to non-commercial use of a product aimed at putting software applications in a form to makr them distributable to market.

This programme rocks!

Thank you GAOTD! I've wanted an installer programme that was easy to use and this is it.

Didn't even have to read the help file yet!

Excellent!

Thanks again! Happy Happy Joy Joy...

#85, AxCut, the purpose of GOTD isn't to shower people with free gifts. It's to introduce them to products which they might otherwise not have been aware of or looked at. I purchase some things which I find useful here. Many of them show up on Bits du Jour at a significant discount. While Bits du Jour gives advance notice of what's coming up, so you can download and test it, here on GOTD you get a full version, along with comments from many users, including alternatives. True, 99% of the comments are useless, but there are nearly always some valuable ones. The fact that Smart Install Maker installers will generate false positives from 14% of the anti-virus scanners on VirusTotal (that's 14% of the products, not the installed user base, and it doesn't include false-positives from other anti-malware products) would be a total disaster for a software developer. And yes, I checked with VirusTotal (always a good practice) before any comments had cleared moderation.

Regarding my comment #44, I didn't mention the Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset, or the Windows Installer 4.5 Software Development Kit (which was indirectly linked).

#85 That's so funny! Here I thought you had something useful to say, but I guess you simply wanted to share all the time you have to waste with all of us. Thank you, but you may want to follow your own advise when you say "post in the forums." Finally, do you have any useful thing to say about the software? I'm trying to decide to download it or not.

Compressed 877 MB into 716 MB (using maximal compression); it took 1h04min to accomplish.
Then removed 36.9 MB of PDFs (manual), recompressed using NORMAL compression, ending with a 712 MB pack after 17 min (!!!).
So i got the same previous pack (without manual, 840 MB) and recompressed again in MAXIMAL compression into a 689 MB setup, this time taking 1h01min.
WinRAR 3.71 - 680 MB, 24min33sec.
It opened correct RTF as selected language in project building indicates to do - don't know exactly why but i was expecting a hitch in this point. Entire interface is translated to selected idiom, by the way - Windows default?
Not a single nag from company, nor sign it is from Installbuilders company.
It does NOT check size of dir destination - just tells how much disk space it'll cost to install and crashed when told to install in a smaller than required partition saying that "proggie generated errors and will be shutdown by windows. You will need to restart program. A log error will be created".
"Enforced shortcut" option resulted in showing the usual path selection window to create shortcuts group, but grayed.
Created shortcuts point to C:\C:\Program Files..., have to pay attention with this, 1st time users! (mind note: Created shortcuts point to C:\C:\Program Files... lol )
It created "uninstall" shortcut and add/remove entry - and it worked perfectly!
Now, a bit of learning on how to add registry entries with this puppy...
Hmmmm... comment preview is now working, riiiiight!

Don't download this people, it has a trojan in it. AVG detected it immediantly, I suggest you uninstall it and run a good virus scan. I am disappointed in GAOTD for not catching it.

I had no trouble downloading or installing this software on Vista Premium as Administrator and it doesn't show it as a 30-day trial. Under Help/About it shows Giveawayoftheday as the registered name and shows a license #. I did get the message from A-squared also, but I really think it is a false positive. I ran a scan with TrendMicro PC after installing, and it showed nothing.

And, please, if you don't install the software and try it out, please don't post your negative comments about the software. I never post until after I have installed and tried the software. This does appear to be very good software for someone that can use this type, and if you can't use that type of software, don't be so negative about it because you're not trying it out.

I just tried to install the Smart Install Maker program when a-squared (another program I got from GAOTD popped up with this warning…”The program described above was trying to be executed. The scan result was that this file is infected by Malware. You are urgently advised to block this program!” What gives? Is this program safe to install or not? Please help!

Here is a screen shot of the pop up I received. http://www.badgirl-1.com/asquared_screenshot.jpg

GAOTD please delete my previous post as it is a duplicate of this message without the link to the screen shot.

AxCut #85:
Your comment is useless. Rather point out comments of value.
Was this all you had to contibute? Boring ... Zzz zz zzz

I just tried to install the Smart Install Maker program when a-squared (another program I got from GAOTD popped up with this warning..."The program described above was trying to be executed. The scan result was that this file is infected by Malware. You are urgently advised to block this program!" What gives? Is this program safe to install or not? Please help!

Wow. So many complaints when GAOTD is offering such an awesome program.

I for one will be using this program alot.

I can convert all those family DVDs and edit them with the conversion and editing software that has been given away, by GAOTD, the past few weeks and package them with SmartInstall Maker and send them off to family members who are not as advanced with thier computers as I am.

SmartInstall Maker is an awesome program and I thank you GAOTD and InstallBuilders for the chance to grab this great software product!

Hello,

Since a lot of the comments are off-topic, I am going to list most of the useless information that posters seem so eager to share.

I general, I am surprised about how many people are stuck in the non-commercial use of the software when in reality it is simple.

You want to use the software commercially? you BUY IT. Otherwise, you have a full free copy that you can evaluate until you are fully convinced that it is worth the price. Why is this better than a trial version? I'll leave that to the readers.

#1 I don't care what sounds promising to you. #3 I see, so you think the folks behind GAOTD are not able to come up with 'simple solutions' and you do? #4 Why did you waste your time writing your comment? You want to show everybody how savvy you are? You are not doing a good job.#6 Come down from your obviously inflated ego.

#12 and the purpose of your post is ... #13 Your comment would be useful if you listed all the cool features you speak of. Many people have not used the freewares. Tell us why this one is better. #14 It sounds to me that all you wanted to post is that you are a 'Project Manager for a software company'. #17 Post in the Forums.

#21 and #22 Completely useless comments. #24 Do you really expect every GAOTD to satisfy everybody's needs? #25 WHO CARES?

#31 Some people need simpler tools and you said nothing about today's offering. #32 Please refrain from sharing your happiness for it helps nobody. #33 Please read my comment on #31 post. My God, you haven't even downloaded the software! #35, the only part of your comment I found useful to me was that today's GAOTD 'looks kinda neat' (or more precisely looks kind of neat). The rest is 3 paragraphs of useless information. At least you posted something useful in #36. #37 I partially agree with you, but please read what I wrote about comment #3.

#40 You can't use today's free software to create software installations and sell them. For that you have to buy it and that will give you access to customer support which I am sure will be glad to help you. #41 I am hopeless. Pointing out all the things that are wrong about your post would require me to paraphrase the letters written in bold format right above the place where you write the comments and all its implications and I lack the ability to do that. #47 you are wrong.

#53 I personally don't care about what you personally prefer. #56 I think #37 comment was more about constructive criticism than getting 100% thumbs up. Makes sense? #57, #58 Useless.

#60 I take it that you are part of the norm rather than the exception? #61 post in the Forums. #62 I infer from your statement that half of the software on GO (I guess you meant GAOTD) is full of malware and trojans, so, why are you here? You should stay far away from sites that distributes malware and trojans. #63 Using insults like 'stupid' or 'moaners' and pulling things out of their 'behinds' only shows that you can't defend your point of view using logic rather than expletives. Then you go on speaking about what people want and expect even though you have never met or spoken to them. I bet you think you are better than them yes? Guess what, it do(es)n(')t work that way.

I guess I am done for the day.

AxCut

Great Product. Installs easily and works well.

#65 - Mike G - Why are such comments permitted? isn't there a moderator on this site? It is OK to respond to others comments, but this one was just out of topic to say the least and a big waste of space and time.

As a web developer (among other things) who is interested in (and working on) broadening my programming skillset into other languages, to produce browser-independent applications, this looked like a very appealing piece of software to add to my toolkit.

However, I'm going to err on the side of caution with this one, as my A-squared anti-malware application also gave the warning described in other comments, and I'm just not dedicated enough to having this program for me to be willing to risk a potential infection, even if the risk factor is assessed to be fairly low. I've always preferred "zero" to "fairly low" when dealing with risks that could impact me quite badly if the problem were to actually manifest.

I'm hoping that the developers of this software are actually reading the forum posts here, as I know that some of GAOTD's other software providers have done, so that they can take on board the growing call for them to find and eliminate the source of the malware warning. This appears to be a very desirable product in other respects, based on the comments I've seen here -- and I'd like to try it with an eye to later purchase, if my programming efforts bear fruit. But I won't be doing so until I can install it without warnings of "toxic software".

Please, guys, heed the warning that, even if safe, setting off this warning is still a flaw that needs fixed, for marketability reasons if nothing else. That may be the most valuable result your partnering with GAOTD has yielded, despite the value of the positive reviews.

I look forward to trying a provably clean version of this program when/if it becomes available.

Quick easy to use. In stalled tested was impressed. I like the KISS method and this application fits the bill.

This is an OUTSTANDING product! I downloaded it the last time it was offered and it's the BEST!! Many of you will not have a need for it, but if you want a GOOD install maker, this is it.

It was good to hear more comments on malware,spyware,virus etc.

There is enough doubts in the comments to make me pass. Just not worth the aggravation. Thanks to those that gave warnings.

#4 Grow up. We do not want to hear what is better (in your mind) Like the saying goes "If you have nothing good to say...Say nothing at all!!!)

This zip file was blocked by my firerwall with this notice: Anti-Virus Service. Name: Avenger.gen (Trojan)

The best free installer is still - hands down - WiX. It's hard to set up, but once it is, you'll be grateful. Check it out on SourceForge.

The last time this was offered I, too, got a virus warning.
It turned out to be legitimate.
I wouldn't install it.
It's too bad, too.
I could use something like this.

Wow, a lot of you are cheap jerks. If you are using something that belongs to someone else to make money i.e. commercial uses, then you should pay that person. I don't see why there are so many comments about this program being useless if you can't make money off of it in some way. If you want to use it for your side business, then pay the developers for making such a nice application for you. I am sure they like to make money too.
Would you offer whatever you are making that uses this tool for free to people to use in their businesses? Maybe you should have GAOTD post your applications without the personal use restriction.

I was really excited about this one when it was posted at
3:00 AM (EST) last night. As usual, I waited until today to
do an install so I could read everyones posts first.
I see this as a program that would cause me to lose a lot of
friends due to the false (or are they false?) trojan reports.
It seems to me that this is a grossly overlooked defect in this
particular program.
I regret to do so, but I have to pass on this offer.
Thanks to everyone that has posted alternative links to other
programs of this nature.
Mansion Trash

Did not click on 'Activate.exe'. Installed 'Setup.exe'. Did not get activated after. So uninstalled and did 'Activate' and 'Setup'. Still not activated. Is there any way to remove the 30 day limitation notification???

A Squared Background Guard gives a lot of false positives for many trustworthy programs I have installed. I doubt that there is dangerous malware being missed by all the other proven anti-malware checkers. If I know the source and the software maker, I tend to disregard the warnings from A Squared as errors. Your mileage may vary.

I've used this since it came out last time on GAOTD and I'm very satisfied. It has some pros and cons compared to for example INNO setup in my opinion, but I suggest you try it out yourself.

This software sounds interesting but I always read comments before I download.
It appears there are some issues with malware,spyware,etc.

Hope more people comment on this before the end of the day.

#10 Green and Reps for the link, will be using that service "Bookmarked".

TO: All those compalining this is for 'personal use only.'

If you are packaging software to sell, you obviously expect people to PAY for YOUR program, so it would be hypocritical not to pony up the $80 for this, don't you think?

I write programs for fun and send them to my friends, some of whom aren't technically savvy. This is a neat way to make it easier on them to install, and improve the 'cool' factor of my stuff.

will this help me install a foot in my wife's ass?

The setup.exe file in the package contains a Backdoor virus detected by a-squared anti-malware. GAOTD should take down the current .zip package and put a new, uninfected one.

#56

Agreed, 100% would be stupid. I simply don't understand all the moaners, that the score is a combination of relevance and actual software rating is perfectly fine since it's easily understood as such. Actually I do understand, they want someone else to do all the thinking for them, and tell them whether or not to install it. They expect other people to pull a magic wand out of their behinds and give them what they want. Guess what, it don't work that way, you still have to read and figure and try it for yourself. NO rating system will really align to exactly what any one person wants period.

Likewise though, remember that for yourself the other way. This isn't multi-voting, even if the software isn't perfect and would get a lower rating, it is something useful to try for free and different than the usual converters and similar junk. Gets a thumbs up from me simply for that, and even if it was a marginal first pass, I'd want the developer to see that it's desirable and work more on this than another converter etc..

Looks like a cool little program - there's a lot of them out there. Hey, here's an idea - why don't all you so called developers use this program and zip us all your great work in a nice little self install bundle filled with malware and trojans like half of the other software for free on GO?

Carry on!

your actvation key is not working at here its allways says its not possible at this time or check your firewall sating

@#23 iLikeIt mentioned, and I agree that this program is a nice compliment to any users backup software. A user can create set-up routines for their game library’s, music, pictures, etc, and all inclusive with their registry and driver files. It can really streamline a support operation.

@ #30 r0lZ brings up a good point regarding the false positives. I have the 5.0 version, which was doing the same thing, raising flags on security programs. From any standpoint not to address a problem like that would be incredibly stupid (which these days seem to be more of a norm than an exception). You would think that putting in a fix would have been a high priority item or at least acknowledge the bug somewhere in the user’s documentation. I don’t care what kind of program it is, how well its been hyped, or who the developer was, when my security programs start going “Warning, Warning, Danger, Danger!!!” I’m not comfortable using that program, period! Now if there’s money on the line, forrrrrrget it, I’m passing on anything that comes out of that shop.