VW - requirements

I am curious as to why msvcr71.dll is not redistributed with the application. MS allow that, and I see it done with some other applications I use.

Are you sure of this? Also there is a version issue.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326922

If I make it in installer style, it would make people to use the new version cumbersome.

It`s more the opposite. An installer can install a desktop shortcut and a start menu entry. And puts the stuff into the right location. And the uninstaller removes the whole stuff at once.

Where it`s not so great is to have different versions. But here the user could simply install in different locations.

I believe the programme was changed from an installer into an archive on request (on the polycount forum)

Personally, given a choice, I prefer as it is, as an archive.

Maybe the option of both, and have like a suffix on the install location for different versions. I run 3 versions of Maya from all from installers.
Maybe a portable version that can run from a folder like now, than one with a installer that checks for dependencies and stuff.