Building packages form App Store downloads

[mark_sampers]

Background: I downloaded an application from the Mac App Store. (Skitch v1.0.7) I installed it on a recently imaged computer. I then created an installation package of the application with Composer 8.34. I uploaded the package via Casper Admin.

Problem: When deploying to client computers, the first time the application is launched the user is prompted to authorize the install on this new computer using the credientials I used on my original download. Not what I want.

I believe an "app store" application now stores data matching the app to the account/computer that originates the download in the application contents folder. Will we be forced to move to an iOS model for installing applications now that Apple wants us to exclusively use the app store? Has anyone seen this problem and developed a solution?

Thanks in advance for posting possible solutions.

-Mark

[donmontalvo · Accepted solution]

If you don't launch the app, you should be able to push to all users without getting Apple ID prompts. That is, until there is an update. Then the user will need (1) the Apple ID credentials for the account used on your Mac, and (2) admin rights to update the app.

Apple is heading in the right direction with Apple App Store. Unfortunately they're going to throw us under the bus until they get it right. :(

Don

[donmontalvo · Accepted solution]

If you don't launch the app, you should be able to push to all users without getting Apple ID prompts. That is, until there is an update. Then the user will need (1) the Apple ID credentials for the account used on your Mac, and (2) admin rights to update the app.

Apple is heading in the right direction with Apple App Store. Unfortunately they're going to throw us under the bus until they get it right. :(

Don

[donmontalvo]

ADDENDUM...

I should also mention, the "right" strategy when dealing with Apple App Store is to re-download when an update is released, then re-deploy.

Example...Final Cut Pro X 10.0.2 was deployed to a bunch of users (downloaded on our LAB admin Mac; not launched; packaged and pushed with Casper). Now 10.0.3 is released. Repeat the same steps...download, don't launch, push.

This is where Apple needs to WTFU...release patches instead of having us have to re-download, re-package and re-deploy the software.

So when you get the call: "Hey there's an update to XYZ application", that's your signal to...well...

Baby steps for Apple I guess....we just end up with baby-$#!+ green stuff on our shirts until they grow up. :)

Don

[rockpapergoat]

you should download the app instead of repackaging the app store version.

it's freely available, and you'll avoid deploying an app tied to the app store/your apple id.

deploying app store apps the way you describe most likely violates the app's eula, too.

[bentoms]

But, presumably Apple want all developers move to the App Store.

So how to distribute?

[daworley]

Apple's stock answer would almost certainly be to use VPP, and have the users themselves redeem the codes and install each app. This is silly on a large scale.

I don't know of any way to script or trigger a Mac App Store download, or automated way to redeem these individual codes.

http://www.apple.com/business/vpp/

[rockpapergoat]

my point above is that, in this and many other cases right now, the app in question isn't exclusively available via the app store, so there's no need to deal with it that way.

at some point, when apple has their way and requires all apps to be purchased via some approved portal, management will have to change. for that matter, mac administration in general has to change, regardless. that's another topic, though…

[bentoms]

Here's the punch line from the VPP site;

The Volume Purchase Program is available in the US only.

[rob_potvin]

Thank you!! Yes totally sucks for anyone outside of the US

[mark_sampers]

Follow-up: The application I originally referred to was Skitch v1.0.7 for Mac OS X. (not the iOS version) And after tring to build the package as Don suggested, I find I am still having the same problem. Seems the application ports over the Apple ID at download time and adds it to the Contents folder of the application.

Thank you Don, for your quick response and thank you to everyone else who responded. Don's response seemed to be a logical fix but again, it didn't for me with this application. (I believe the problem lies in this unique application. - http://www.evernote.com/skitch/)

[golbiga]

The method Don suggested only works with Apple apps in the Mac App Store. Also you should only be doing this with apps you purchased through VPP. Until Apple releases a VPP solution for Non-Apple Apps you need to look for alternative means of deploying that app. If it's not available elsewhere, then you're pretty much out of luck.

Allen

[golbiga · Accepted solution]

Skitch is available here. http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/27134/skitch

[Michael_Meyers]

Apple has an article at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4781 telling you how do deploy Apps (Final Cut Pro X) across multiple Mac systems. I also spoke to my Apple SE about the VPP codes and was told that if we kept the other codes on file after downloading the Apps with a specific code, we are not going against their licensing agreement.

I was also told, that since Apple is pointing more towards getting Apps from the Mac App Store, our deployments should use those individual downloaded Apps instead of box copies. Even though there are still updates coming from Apple Update, there may be a time that Apple only makes the updates available by re-downloading the Apps.

That really sucks, IMHO. I'm able to automate my Software Updates through my JSS, but having staff members tell you that their Apps need to be updated or having them try to reset the Apple ID you used to download the App multiple times, blows.

This could be better.

Mike

[jhbush]

Putting this here if someone needs a Skitch installer.

#!/bin/sh

# Remove existing copy of Skitch from /Applications
 if [ -d "$3/Applications/Skitch.app" ]; then

   rm -rf "$3/Applications/Skitch.app"

fi

# Create temporary directory and set permissions
mkdir -p "/var/tmp/skitch"
chmod 755 "/var/tmp/skitch"

# Installing Skitch
cd /var/tmp/skitch/ && curl -L -o Skitch.zip "http://evernote.com/download/get.php?file=SkitchMac"

unzip Skitch.zip > /dev/null 

mv "Skitch.app" /Applications

# Remove the zip
rm -rf /var/tmp/skitch/Skitch*

exit 0

[mark_mahabir]

See here