I never made an installer. I am providing zip files now and I can imagine some who download those look at py and inx files like O_o
Then they have to google "how to install inkscape extensions" or read the actual README.

Can we make some kind of standard extension installer?
Maybe even a new button "Get new extensions" and then a list pops up and the extensions are installable by a simple click.
Good or bad idea?

Hi.

Nice idéa!
From the number of posts on the forums it seems like "the users" have problems "installing" the extensions.

For an extension to "survive" a uninstall/re-install or upgrade of Inkscape it has to be residing in the users extension directory.
Extensions in the installdir/Inkscape/share/extensions does not "survive" a delete/re-install of Inkscape.

As the user directories are placed differently depending on the OS and also OS versions the "installer" has to be "smart enough" to find the required directory.

One point to note, by using an installer you normally don't know what the installer installs on your system, this could pose a security risk. (viruses, trojan horses etc.)
When manually copying the files you have "full control" of the content as you can examine the code before copying and using.
If the extension comes from "a trusted source" like the developers or inkscape.org webpages this is normally not a problem but with "user-made" extensions this could be a security risk.

RGDS
Ragnar

Make a wishlist/new feature request "bug report" on Launchpad (Inkscape's bug tracker) https://launchpad.net/inkscape

Hi

I just had this "brilliant idéa" (while cooking dinner!) - why not make an extension that can install extensions?
Inkscape got all the right info "just under it's nose" anyway, might be an easy little extension to make.

What's the users opinions on this?

https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/299425
This feature request is from 2008...

I like your idea. The extension as extension installer might work. I will look into this.
Its more a workaround until we get a native feature, but interesting enough for a try

ragstian wrote:Hi

I just had this "brilliant idéa" (while cooking dinner!) - why not make an extension that can install extensions?
Inkscape got all the right info "just under it's nose" anyway, might be an easy little extension to make.

What's the users opinions on this?

RGDS
Ragnar

That's what I was thinking, when I suggested new feature/wishlist "bug" report. It would make it easier to answer that question, "how to install extensions" when it gets posted. Easier to just direct users to the extension, than write out the steps every time. But it would have to be an extension that comes packed with Inkscape. Otherwise, we have to explain how to install it, and we're back where we started!

How would it work, if you can explain in a simple or general way?

Hi.

brynn wrote:Otherwise, we have to explain how to install it, and we're back where we started!

I like your way of thinking!
As most (all?) users of Inkscape are able to download a file and also capable of pointing a file dialog to the downloaded file I reckon an extension to copy the downloaded extension to the right place (depending on OS, user directory etc.) would be "enough".

The extension reads the directory setting from Inkscape and copies the new extension to the correct directory based on this info.

So you're thinking the user has already downloaded the file with the extension? (Like in Windows, these days, MS thinks users should only download to a Downloads directory, and then move it later on. In fact, after Win7 or maybe Vista, you absolutely can't download directly to Program Files, or directly anywhere except Downloads dir!) So the extension would look in Downloads dir for the file, and then Inkscape moves it to the proper place? And I guess the extension would unpack a zip file, if necessary?

The place where I'm getting confused, is that when I save a file from the internet, I don't always get a Download dialog. Sometimes it's a Save dialog. I haven't noticed which kind of files get a download dialog, and which don't.