HostGator who I know a lot of you use for hosting WordPress powered websites now has a new toy for you to play with that makes installing WordPress quick and easy with no uploading required. It’s called QuickInstall and is a custom developed script by HostGator that performs practically the same functionality as Fantastico. However, the major difference between Fantastico and this custom script is that there is little to no delay between software update roll outs.
For example when WordPress 3.0 was released, it was updated and ready to be installed within the software library within a few hours compared to days with Fantastico. Is this the end of Fantastico dominance amongst the various webhosting providers out there? It seems like each host is coming up with their own custom script installer, mostly in light of the delays introduced with Fantastico. If you use a host other than HostGator and notice they have a custom script installer, let me know about it in the comments.
The HostGator QuickInstall script does a good job and more secure than Fantastico (I have seen Fantastico leave wp-config.php permissions at 777 before).
I had a chance to talk with the team that developed the script at WordCamp Houston, great bunch of guys. One thing to note is that QuickInstall includes WP-Super Cache pre activated which works well with HostGator’s servers as well as a plugin that puts a HostGator link in your footer.