Web Platform Installer

I am a bit of a techie, or at least I’d like to think I used to be, so when it comes to installing software I tend to just download what I want and run the installer manually. So when I saw the new Microsoft Web Platform I initially dismissed it as a bit of a gimmick, something to use if you weren’t comfortable with installing software. However, after reading a blog or two extolling its virtues, I decided hey if its good enough for Mr Hanselmann then its good enough for me.

Essentially once installed you have a handy download manager that detects what you already have installed, shows you new components and automates their installation for you. True you could just go to the download page for each item and do this manually but honestly… why bother. The installer separates the available modules into different categories; What’s New, Web Platform and Web Applications. What’s New is handy as it may show you tools you weren’t even aware of. In the Web Platform tab you can customise IIS as well as add in new modules such as Application Request Routing 1.0 or URL Rewrite 1.1

The Web Applications are integrated with the new Web Application Gallery which makes it very easy to install a wide variety of applications such as BlogEngine.Net, nopCommerce or even WordPress, the WPI creates a new site and configures it all for you – even installing the database if required

My advice… if you you haven’t yet give it a try