Personalized installation files
A method includes personalizing a software installation file. The personalizing includes providing the file with a unique identifier included as part of a file name associated with the file. Another method includes installing a software application from the personalized installation file, extracting the indication from the file name and using the indication to personalize the software application.
1. A method comprising:
personalizing a software installation file for a software application for use by a specific individual, wherein said personalizing comprises:
maintaining an unmodified, already compiled, standard software installation file;
generating a unique identifier that indicates customized software functionality associated with said specific individual;
naming said already compiled standard software installation file with a filename that includes said unique identifier to produce a personalized software installation file without recompiling said software installation file; and
downloading said personalized software installation file to a device associated with said specific individual,
wherein said personalized software installation file comprises means to extract said unique identifier from said filename and to personalize said software application during installation with said indicated customized functionality.
2. The method according to claim 1 and also comprising:
storing personalization details associated with said identifier; and
providing said details in response to a request including said identifier.
3. The method according to claim 2 and also comprising:
enabling a user to input said personalization details on behalf of an invitee; and
sending an invitation to download said personalized installation file to said invitee.
4. The method according to claim 3 and wherein said invitation is an SMS.
5. The method according to claim 1 and wherein said providing comprises downloading said file to a mobile phone.
6. The method according to claim 5 and wherein said identifier is a telephone number for said mobile phone.
7. The method according to claim 1 and wherein said identifier is a representation of an email address.
8. The method according to claim 1 and wherein said installation file is signed.
9. A system comprising:
a registrar to register personalization details associated with a specific individual and to generate a unique identifier indicating customized software functionality associated with said specific individual; and
a downloader comprising:
a storage unit to maintain an unmodified already compiled software installation file for a software application,
a generator to generate a personalized installation file by renaming a filename of said software installation file to include said unique identifier without recompiling said software installation file, and
a downloading unit to download said personalized installation file to a device associated with said specific individual,
wherein said personalized installation file comprises means to extract said unique identifier from said filename and to personalize said software application during installation with said indicated customized functionality.
10. The system according to claim 9 and also comprising:
a personalization database to store said details; and
a personalizer to provide said details when receiving a request having said indication.
11. The system according to claim 9 and also comprising an inviter to invite a user to download said installation file.
12. The system according to claim 11 and wherein said inviter comprises an SMS sender to send an SMS to a mobile device of said invitee.
13. A method comprising:
activating a standard compiled installation file, said file comprising personalization means and means for installing a software application, wherein a name assigned to said file after compilation includes at least an indication of customized software functionality associated with a specific individual;
said personalization means extracting said indication from said file name; and
said personalization means using said indication to personalize said software application during installation with said customized software functionality for use by said specific individual.
14. The method according to claim 13 and comprising:
receiving an invitation to download said installation file, wherein said invitation is extended by an initiator providing said personalization details.
15. The method according to claim 14 and wherein said receiving comprises receiving an SMS including at least said indication of said personalization details.
16. The method according to claim 13 and wherein said using comprises:
requesting said personalization details using said indication.
17. A computer product readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for installing a software application, said method steps comprising:
activating a standard compiled installation file, said file comprising personalization means and means for installing a software application, wherein a name assigned to said file after compilation includes at least an indication of customized software functionality associated with a specific individual;
said personalization means extracting said indication from said file name; and
said personalization means using said indication to personalize said software application during installation with said customized software functionality for use by said specific individual.