I feared programs that require installation a lot. They leave traces behind the registry even after un-installation, plus, some uninstallers are poorly-programmed (that means, some programs cannot be uninstalled).That applies to Windows.The good side of installers, they create shortcuts and file associations. However, the Komodo on Linux uses a shell script to setup and can be safely uninstalled by deleting the folder.Do you think installers should be all abolished? Do you think the effect of installations should be replaced by shell scripts?Do you think all computer games should be portable?Should the scan the /Applications/${AppName}/Information folder and list app icons design should be used for future desktop environments?
Installer or Portable
installer
It depends on your target audience.As a programmer or a power user, I like my software to be inside a compressed file for portability and to be able to just delete the software without having to worry about it leaving any traces in the registry.As a regular person (mostly applies to regular Windows users), however, I just want to click setup.exe and have it install itself for me. I don't want to have to bother looking at a README file or following some other form of instruction just to install the software that I want. Don't make me click any more than I could handle.You should consider who you're making the software for first before deciding whether to make an installer or not.