767725 - (mathml-fonts-win) Make a Windows Installer for MathML fonts

Status: RESOLVED FIXED

(Core :: MathML, enhancement)

Description

[Frédéric Wang (:fredw)]

The MathML fonts to package are:

- STIX fonts
- MathJax fonts
- Asana Math

Apparently an easy way to do that would be to use WiX. This tool allows to create Windows Installer from an XML file:

http://wix.sourceforge.net/

More info can be found on the Web, for example

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/867511/how-to-install-open-type-fonts-using-wix
http://www.hass.de/content/how-create-msi-deploying-fonts-enterprise

and probably more.

I set [mentor=fredw] and would be happy to guide anyone willing to work on this. However I don't have any knowledge on Microsoft development tools.

@Bill: do you think you can help by any way on this bug?

Comment 1

[Bill Gianopoulos [:WG9s]]

(In reply to Frédéric Wang (:fredw) from comment #0)
> The MathML fonts to package are:
> 
> - STIX fonts
> - MathJax fonts
> - Asana Math
> 
> Apparently an easy way to do that would be to use WiX. This tool allows to
> create Windows Installer from an XML file:
> 
> http://wix.sourceforge.net/
> 
> More info can be found on the Web, for example
> 
> http://stackoverflow.com/questions/867511/how-to-install-open-type-fonts-
> using-wix
> http://www.hass.de/content/how-create-msi-deploying-fonts-enterprise
> 
> and probably more.
> 
> I set [mentor=fredw] and would be happy to guide anyone willing to work on
> this. However I don't have any knowledge on Microsoft development tools.
> 
> @Bill: do you think you can help by any way on this bug?

I can help on this bug in whatever way makes sense, but Windows is really not my long suit.  I am more of  Linux person.  SO if you are looking for people; who know more about how fonts works under windows I don't think I am the correct person.

Comment 2

[Frédéric Wang (:fredw)]

OK, I've just done some experiments and I've been able to create an MSI. That does not seem too difficult, I just have to read a bit more the WiX doc to improve the installer and try to write scripts that would produce the MSI from the zip archive. 

Taking the bug.

Comment 3

[Frédéric Wang (:fredw)]

I published WiX source files:

https://github.com/fred-wang/Mathzilla/tree/master/mathml-fonts/MSI

The Windows Installer is available here:

http://www.maths-informatique-jeux.com/MathML-fonts.msi

I used a 32-bits Windows 7 virtual machine to generate the *.msi file. I hope it is compatible with other Windows platforms.

Bill, can you please test a bit this installer and tell me if it seems to work correctly for you?

Comment 4

[Bill Gianopoulos [:WG9s]]

(In reply to Frédéric Wang (:fredw) from comment #3)
> I published WiX source files:
> 
> https://github.com/fred-wang/Mathzilla/tree/master/mathml-fonts/MSI
> 
> The Windows Installer is available here:
> 
> http://www.maths-informatique-jeux.com/MathML-fonts.msi
> 
> I used a 32-bits Windows 7 virtual machine to generate the *.msi file. I
> hope it is compatible with other Windows platforms.
> 
> Bill, can you please test a bit this installer and tell me if it seems to
> work correctly for you?

Sure.  It might take till the weekend before I can test it on all Windows versions available to me.

Comment 5

[Frédéric Wang (:fredw)]

I removed the file from my server and uploaded it to MDN:
https://developer.mozilla.org/@api/deki/files/6388/=MathML-fonts.msi

Comment 6

[Frédéric Wang (:fredw)]

MathML fonts page updated to suggest the add-on:
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla_MathML_Project/Fonts