I feel as if we just crossed this path the other day. But that's okay. On the grand scale of "pony-themed games" to "extremely useful freeware applications," automatic application installers--or package mangers--tend to fall toward the latter end of the spectrum.

I wouldn't be broaching this topic so close to a previous, similar roundup were it not critically important for you to check out some of the apps that I've recently found. Although a few package managers might slip into the mix, the freeware programs I'm about to profile today... aren't really programs at all. At least, they aren't installation packages in the way you're typically used to seeing them.

Unlike package managers, which require you to install a separate application that contains some fancy list of other applications to download, some of the apps I'm investigating today remove this extra step from the equation. When stumbling into the official Web site of said programs, you're given the opportunity to customize a list of programs you want to install before you have to download anything. Once you're ready, the site creates a single executable that--if all goes well--downloads and spits the applications onto your hard drive without so much as an extra mouse click of your time.

Of course, that's the best-case scenario. There are still a number of helpful "application packages" that are a wee less automated but still worth looking into. And if you need any further encouragement, one such tool cut my typical post-installation software installation time from around 30-45 minutes to a grand total of five--five hassle-free minutes, mind you.

Ninite

I won't bury the lede. Ninite--coincidentally released this past Friday--was the first program I turned to post-successful Windows 7 installation. Why's that? Because I, like you, don't enjoy wasting an hour or more hunting across the Internet for all the apps I frequently use. And after that, there's the installation process: Tedious, sequential steps of application installation routine after application installation routine. A few thousand mouse-clicks and ten computer reboots later... and I feel like I've wasted my entire day installing programs instead of actually using them.

Ninite delivers an easy solution to this mess. Go to the website and click on the apps that you ultimately want to install. When you're done, Ninite creates a customized executable that downloads and installs these apps for you. Each app is installed with its default settings to its default location--a boon for those who just want a "set it and forget it" dump of all their favorite applications, although picky purists who prefer to tweak an app's advanced installation options might find themselves slightly disappointed.

Download it here!

 

Google Pack

It goes without saying, but this tried-and-true set of applications from Google offers a wide latitude of variety for just a single installation executable. From the Chrome Web browser, to Google Earth, to third-party applications like Skype, you'll find a lot of functionality that's easily customizable to create your own personal Google Pack. Simply head on over to Google's Web site for the software and select which elements you want to appear in your customized download executable. Double-click on the file once you've downloaded it and Google, for the most part, will take care of the rest.

Download it here!

Allmyapps

Allmyapps has the slight ring of a package manager to it, in that the application you download is mainly a resource for processing specialized links from the accompanying Web site rather than a full-fledged installation package of its own. However, the functionality this site offers is comparable to Ninite... and there are a ton more freeware and open-source apps to choose from! Like an Amazon shopping extravaganza, simply add the apps you want to download to your shopping card, er, list. Register for the site and save your list, and you'll be able to grab all the programs at once using the site's downloadable installer application.

I'd much prefer to skip the registration process entirely and just get the apps a la Ninite, but it's hard to argue in the face of the site's comprehensive list of programs to pick from.

Download it here!

 

BaseShield App Store

Similar to a concept I've blogged about in the past--okay, it's exactly identical--BaseShield is the equivalent of an iTunes for freeware and open-source PC software. Install the App Store application and you'll be able to browse for additional programs as if you were searching for a new application for your iPod Touch or iPhone device.

To be fair, BaseShield isn't a carbon-copy of iTunes. In fact, it's really more of just a graphical package manager. I guess I was a little thrown off by the title. The pretty treatment and abundance of available (and updated) freeware and open-source software titles does set this package manager a bit apart from its peers. And since it's made by the same people who made the ever-awesome Ninite app you read about earlier, I have the utmost faith that this program will be as delightful a treat for your PC as its brother. Or sister. Take your pick.

Download it here!

 

Microsoft Web Platform Installer 2.0

Every now and them, I stumble across a piece of freeware for the hardcore developer crowd. I'll never use it myself, but Microsoft's Web Platform Installer 2.0 makes for a simplified way to download and install a whole bevy of components at once, including: Internet Information Services (IIS), SQL Server 2008 Express, the .NET framework, and Visual Web Developer Express, amongst others. Microsoft has even built a community of-sorts around the various Web apps that you can integrate into your site after-the-fact, including Wordpress, SugarCRM, and Gallery, to name a few.

Like I said, this is pure, geeky developer stuff. But, hey, automated installations are automated installations, eh? If your geek-fu isn't quite at this level, maybe you can start by playing around with XAMPP?

Download it here!

 

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

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