Installing New Tools with DXperience
I suspect that most developers, once they find a tool they like from a vendor, will go back to that vendor for their next purchase. At the very least, that vendor will get "first refusal" -- developers will check out offerings from a vendor they trust before they start playing the field.
DevExpress obviously assumes that is the case with its customers. I reviewed the DevExpress DXperience for ASP.NET bundle in the January issue of Visual Studio Magazine, and appreciated its integrated install experience.
When I get a package from DevExpress (and, as a software reviewer, I'm frequently revisiting vendors) I don't download the package I want. Instead, I start up the DXPerience Product Installer, which shows me a list of the products I've licensed (with an option to see all of DevExpress' products). The application walks me through logging on, getting the list of products, and giving me the three choices of repair, modify and remove.
Other tools vendors provide the same facility from a Web page: I log onto "my account" and can download the products I've bought. I have to say, I prefer the DXperience app (nestled into my Start menu under "DevExpress") over having to surf over to some site that I've forgotten about.
DevExpress' approach is not perfect. At one point, the package wanted me to shut down Visual Studio before it would proceed with the installation. Sadly, after I did shut down Visual Studio, it wouldn't continue the installation and I had to cancel out and restart.
I recognize that this isn't a critical part of the "DXperience" (DevExpress does give it away free, after all) but it's a nice touch and I like it.
Posted by Peter Vogel on 01/24/2011