title: Build an installer for .NET app that can run on Windows and OS X?
body: <p>I am surprised I could not find this question already asked, so if I simply missed it please notify promptly.</p>
  <p>I need to write a very small, fairly simple application in .NET that will be downloaded by end-consumers and installed on their system. Silverlight's sandbox model will not work - it has to be a full-on downloaded, installed executable.</p>
  <p>Here's what I know:</p>
  <ul>
  <li>I've developed applications which run in a controlled desktop environment - for example, an IT app that runs on a hundred internal computers.</li>
  <li>I've developed applications using Mono</li>
  </ul>
  <p>What I do not know:</p>
  <ul>
  <li>How to create a flexible, robust installer that will work on a myriad of uncontrolled desktop configurations and environments.</li>
  <li>How to do the same with Mono targeted for Mac OSX.</li>
  <li><strong>What are the common issues in installing a widely-distributed end-user application and how to mitigate them?</strong></li>
  </ul>
  <p>I am looking for the <strong>best resources to fill in my knowledge gaps</strong>.</p>
  <blockquote>
  <h3>Related</h3>
  <p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1223520/equivalent-of-a-windows-service-on-osx-with-mono">Equivalent of a Windows Service on OSX with Mono</a></p>
  </blockquote>