How about WiseScript/SMS Installer. I believe that you can download SMS Installer free from the Microsoft web site, they (the Wise and MS versions) are basically the same program.
All the commands available are listed on the left hand side, syntax errors are nearly impossible, no need to setup variables (altho you can), but IF/ELSE statements and while loops are available. Select your command from the list on the left hand side, a fill in pop up box appears for you to complete the details and you're done. Eg. select the "Delete file" command, box appears, type in name inc path of file to delete, check or uncheck the 2 options: 1. Include sub directories 2. Remove the directory containing the file. VERY EASY!! Even easier when you see it in action.
You can compile to an exe and it is not limited to installations. It is actually quite flexible and when you get more advanced, you can learn about custom actions to add functionality eg. Calling DLL functions.
I use it as a quick and easy way to get things done. It should give your mom confidence without jumping in at the deep end. At the same time, she should be able to achieve useful results.
Cheers
Chris
The answer is already starting to happen. As the US $ devalues against other countries, the cost of overseas labour rises. If the value of the US $ halves, then the cost of overseas labour doubles.
Basically by devaluing the US $, the cost of living relative to the rest of the world declines and the US can be more competative. If the US $ was brought to the level so that IT salarys in India matched those in the US, there would be little incentive for outsourcing.
If an Indian IT worker is earning U$20 000 equivalent and an American worker is on U$50 000, halving the value of the US currency changes the picture to Indian worker on U$40 000 equivalent versus American worker unchanged at U$50 000 althought the US worker will have less INTERNATIONAL buying pawer than he used to have. Local good tend to stay the same price. So you food will probably not cost any more but your Asian made TV will cost about double. This would also halt export of manufacturing jobs and may even encourage onshoring of of previously offshored manufacturing jobs. For the sake of U$10 000 most companies will not outsource.
So the answer is to encourage your politicians to keep lowering the value of the US $ and get your jobs back. This will create an even playing field and then it comes down to skills and abilities. I think it is a fair price to pay for peoples jobs and lives....
And for thase that say it would be easier to either penalise those co that outsource or reward those that dont outsource, how many loopholes do you think companies already use. You can't loophole a devaluation of currency. Bush or someone in his administration (perhaps Alan Greenspan) has made an excellent decision to allow the currency to devalue ad all Americans will benefit - except for the CEO's, CFO's etc because they buy overseas goods a lot more and invest overseas.
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How about WiseScript/SMS Installer. I believe that you can download SMS Installer free from the Microsoft web site, they (the Wise and MS versions) are basically the same program. All the commands available are listed on the left hand side, syntax errors are nearly impossible, no need to setup variables (altho you can), but IF/ELSE statements and while loops are available. Select your command from the list on the left hand side, a fill in pop up box appears for you to complete the details and you're done. Eg. select the "Delete file" command, box appears, type in name inc path of file to delete, check or uncheck the 2 options: 1. Include sub directories 2. Remove the directory containing the file. VERY EASY!! Even easier when you see it in action. You can compile to an exe and it is not limited to installations. It is actually quite flexible and when you get more advanced, you can learn about custom actions to add functionality eg. Calling DLL functions. I use it as a quick and easy way to get things done. It should give your mom confidence without jumping in at the deep end. At the same time, she should be able to achieve useful results. Cheers Chris
The answer is already starting to happen. As the US $ devalues against other countries, the cost of overseas labour rises. If the value of the US $ halves, then the cost of overseas labour doubles. Basically by devaluing the US $, the cost of living relative to the rest of the world declines and the US can be more competative. If the US $ was brought to the level so that IT salarys in India matched those in the US, there would be little incentive for outsourcing. If an Indian IT worker is earning U$20 000 equivalent and an American worker is on U$50 000, halving the value of the US currency changes the picture to Indian worker on U$40 000 equivalent versus American worker unchanged at U$50 000 althought the US worker will have less INTERNATIONAL buying pawer than he used to have. Local good tend to stay the same price. So you food will probably not cost any more but your Asian made TV will cost about double. This would also halt export of manufacturing jobs and may even encourage onshoring of of previously offshored manufacturing jobs. For the sake of U$10 000 most companies will not outsource. So the answer is to encourage your politicians to keep lowering the value of the US $ and get your jobs back. This will create an even playing field and then it comes down to skills and abilities. I think it is a fair price to pay for peoples jobs and lives.... And for thase that say it would be easier to either penalise those co that outsource or reward those that dont outsource, how many loopholes do you think companies already use. You can't loophole a devaluation of currency. Bush or someone in his administration (perhaps Alan Greenspan) has made an excellent decision to allow the currency to devalue ad all Americans will benefit - except for the CEO's, CFO's etc because they buy overseas goods a lot more and invest overseas.