Which Windows installer is recommended?

[velle]

URL

https://qgis.org/download/

Type(s) of Problems

Other

Summary

What is a "regular user"?

From https://qgis.org/download/, under "Download for Windows".

The OSGeo4W installer is recommended for regular users or organization deployments. It allows to have several QGIS versions in one place, and to keep each component up-to-date individually without having to download the whole package.

Please note that English is not my native language.

So what is a "regular user"? Initially I thought it meant a "normal" or "typical" user. But if so, the text suggests basically everyone to download the OSGeo4W installer, right? At least I don't see who should download any of the other installers?

It took me a few minutes to realize that perhaps "regular" means someone who uses it regularly? Is that what is meant?

If I have understood the intention right, then "regular" is not the right term to be used here. Even someone who regularly uses QGIS is not necessarily someone who will need to run various versions in parallel or who will have the super user-ish skills to use the OSGeo4 installer.

OSGeo4W installer vs OSGeo4W network installer

The text refers to "OSGeo4W installer" but the download button reads "OSGeo4W network installer". Is that the same thing? I think so.

My suggestion

Something along the text below.

• LTR 3.34: Recommended. Long Term Release. This version has been carefully tried and tested, and is considered stable and free of significant bugs.
• 3.38: Most recent official release, but less stable than the above LTR version.
• OSGeo4W Network Installer: Allows installing various versions concurrently, allows installing without admin rights, allows custom selection of modules, allows upgrading modules individually, makes future upgrades / installations faster and easier. Suitable for users with a bit more experience with QGIS and IT in general.