Reasons to Customize Internet Explorer
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There are several reasons for customizing Internet Explorer. The benefits that you can gain from customization will vary depending on your role in your organization:
If you're a corporate administrator, you can save time by centrally administering individual installations of Internet Explorer.
If you're an Internet service provider, you can customize Internet Explorer so that customers can easily sign up for your services.
If you're an Internet content provider, you can choose customization options for Internet Explorer that help showcase your content more effectively.
If you're an independent software vendor or developer, you can easily distribute your program with Internet Explorer by customizing Windows Update Setup.
Customization Benefits for Corporate Administrators
You can control how Internet Explorer is installed, how the browsing software and Internet Explorer components get customized, and what browser, messaging, and conferencing options are available before installation begins. You can customize Internet Explorer for Windows 16-bit, Windows 32-bit, Apple Macintosh®, and UNIX platforms.
You can use automatic configuration and proxy files to change browser settings after you install Internet Explorer. If the needs of your organization change, you can use the IEAK Profile Manager to change the files that contain user options without leaving your office.
You can also set policies and restrictions for the browser, including security, messaging, and desktop settings. This can help you manage your organization's resources and bandwidth. Does your accounting department have different needs than your marketing department? You can create different profiles that contain settings and restrictions tailored for each department.
Customizing Windows Update Setup
You can customize Windows Update Setup in several ways. You can add Internet Explorer components or create up to 10 different setup options. This extends the Minimal, Typical, and Full options that come with default installations of Internet Explorer. Adding several setup options can be helpful if your employees have different usage needs and varying disk-space limitations.
Perhaps you want to reduce options so that certain setup choices are already made for users. You can configure Internet Explorer so that users can install it with little or no intervention from you. This setup option is sometimes referred to as a "silent install."
Installations with limited intervention are often used for setting up Internet Explorer after hours, when employees aren't at their desks. You can further adapt these types of installations by using command-line switches or batch files. Because you are making choices for the user, you can create only one "silent install" setup option.
If you suppress all user feedback, including error messages and status information, you should make sure your setup plan includes error handling. If you suppress restarting after installation, you'll need to handle restarting in your custom program or script to ensure that Internet Explorer is set up correctly. You can learn more about these issues in the IEAK online Help and in Chapter 16 , "Customizing Setup," in this book.
You may find it convenient to install your own custom components - such as virus-checking programs or scripts - when you install Internet Explorer. You can include up to 10 custom components in your custom package.
You can also alter the appearance of the setup program by adding your own bitmap and including custom descriptions for your different setup options.
Note If you need to customize existing installations of Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1 and higher, you can use single-disk branding. This option creates a Setup.exe file in the BrndOnly folder of your build location. You can distribute this file on any media or server. When this file is run, it will customize Internet Explorer features without installing Internet Explorer. This option does not enable you to package and install custom components, however.
Customizing the Browser, Desktop, and Other Programs
You can customize the appearance and behavior of the browsing software, the user's desktop, and the Internet Explorer messaging and conferencing components. These customizations can help you create a standard corporate desktop that's easier to manage.
To customize the browser, you can add your organization's name or another message to the title bar. For example, the phrase "Microsoft Internet Explorer Provided by ABX Computer Corporation" could appear on your title bar. You can also customize the static and animated logos that appear in the upper-right corner of the browser.
You can preset the following Web pages and links:
Corporate support page
User's home page
User's search page
Links on the Links bar
Links on the Favorites bar
Channels (specialized ways of delivering Web content)
Add-on Components page (for optional components)
The following illustration is an example of how you might customize a user's Favorites list with helpful links.
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Customized links |
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Customized favorites |
If your organization has standardized on the Active Desktop™ that was included with Internet Explorer 4.0, you can reinstall the desktop component with Internet Explorer 5. Even if only some of your users are running Internet Explorer 4.0, you can include the desktop component with Internet Explorer 5 so that all users have the same desktop. If your users are running Windows 98, they already have the new desktop.
You can also customize Internet Explorer components, such as Microsoft Outlook Express. You can preset server information for Outlook Express and customize the InfoPane that appears when users start Outlook Express. You can add a signature to all e-mail and newsgroup messages, such as a disclaimer that the sender's views don't represent your organization's policies.
In addition, you can customize remote dialing for your users, including the dialing settings they need, the icon they click, and the dialog box they see when they dial in to your services. Providing a preconfigured dialer, called a Connection Manager, can help reduce the amount of support that your help desk must provide for remote access services (RAS).
If your organization's messaging server doesn't automatically provide directory or address book services, you can use Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to set up those services for your network.
Maintaining Internet Explorer
If you will need to change settings after you install Internet Explorer, you should consider using automatic configuration, which enables you to change user settings globally at any time.
You can use the IEAK Profile Manager to create an installation (.ins) file containing user profile information. You then post the .ins file and custom cabinet (.cab) files on a server. When you use the Internet Explorer Customization wizard, which is part of the IEAK, you can point your users' browsers to the specific .ins file.
You can import connection settings, such as proxy servers, when you run the Customization wizard. You can also customize and maintain connection settings by using the IEAK Profile Manager. If your organization uses an automated program, such as a script in a proxy automatic configuration (.pac) file, a Jscript (.js) file, or a JavaScript (.jvs) file to control proxy settings, you can incorporate it into your Internet Explorer package.
For more information about using the IEAK, see Chapter 15 , "Running the Internet Explorer Customization Wizard." For more information about automatic configuration, see Chapter 21 , "Using Automatic Configuration and Automatic Proxy."
Setting Restrictions and Using System Policies
When users customize their programs, they sometimes create challenges for corporate administrators. Although some changes just reflect user preferences, other changes make it difficult for corporate administrators to manage resources, control security, or maintain consistent functionality. By using the IEAK, you can control user settings and, in some cases, disable browser features that don't fit your organization's needs.
You can "lock down" or control user settings by using the Internet Explorer Customization wizard or the IEAK Profile Manager. If you're familiar with system policies, you can import administration (.adm) files, and then customize them when you use the IEAK.
Both the Customization wizard and the Profile Manager have graphical interfaces that enable you to easily set and clear options. Just make sure to analyze whether you should control options on a "per computer" or "per user" basis. If you have roaming users who have different needs than other users, you may not want to lock down settings on a per-computer basis.
Customization Benefits for Internet Service Providers
You can customize the appearance of the browser and Setup, tailor Internet Explorer packages to meet various customer needs, and incorporate sign-up solutions. You can customize Internet Explorer for Windows 16-bit platforms and Windows 32-bit platforms by using the IEAK 5.
Customizing the Browser and Other Programs
You can customize the appearance and behavior of the browsing software and the Internet Explorer messaging and conferencing components.
To customize the browser, you can add your organization's name or another message to the title bar. For example, the phrase "Microsoft Internet Explorer Provided by ABX Computer Corporation" could appear on your title bar. You can also customize the static and animated logos that appear in the upper-right corner of the browser.
You can preset the following Web pages and links:
Customer support page
User's home page
User's search page
Links in the Links bar
Links in the Favorites bar
Channels (specialized ways of delivering Web content)
Add-on Components page (for optional components)
Sign-up and billing pages
The following illustration shows how you can customize the title bar, links bar, and logo.
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Illustration 3.1 Internet Explorer with Customized Title Bar, Links Bar, and Logo
You can also customize Internet Explorer components, such as Microsoft Outlook Express. You can preset server information for Outlook Express and customize the InfoPane that appears when users start Outlook Express. You can add a signature to all e-mail and newsgroup messages, such as a disclaimer that the sender's views don't represent your organization's policies.
Tailoring Internet Explorer to Different Customer Needs
If you have customers who live in different parts of the world or who have different configurations, you can create different Internet Explorer packages to address those needs. You can create packages for different language versions of Internet Explorer, you can determine which components to include with your packages.
If you distribute Internet Explorer in different countries, you can add the appropriate language packs, font packs, and versions of Internet Explorer components. You can also include different sets of sign-up pages using the appropriate languages.
You can add a custom component that you've created, such as an address book utility, for your customers to install when they set up Internet Explorer. You can include up to 10 custom components with your custom package.
Because customers often have different hard-disk limitations and advanced component needs, you can create up to 10 setup choices for them by using the IEAK. You can also design packages for different media, such as a Web server or a CD-ROM.
In addition, you can customize remote dialing for your customers by including the dialing settings they need, the icon they click, and the dialog box they see when they dial in to your services. This can give your Internet service a "branded" look so that customers have a consistent experience with your services.
Some of your users might have specialized logon needs as a result of their location or their hardware. If you're concerned that they will need to enter complicated settings manually each time they connect, you can create a logon script. The script can configure logon settings and can even manage pauses between dialing sequences so that users don't have to worry about their settings.
Notes If you need to customize existing installations of Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1 and higher, you can use single-disk branding. This option creates a Setup.exe file in the BrndOnly folder of your build location. You can distribute this file on any media or server. When this file is run, it will customize Internet Explorer features without installing Internet Explorer. This option does not enable you to package and install custom components, however. If you are an Internet Service Provider, and plan to set up a sign-up server solution, you need to use Kiosk-mode sign-up for Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1 users. If you anticipate that some customers will have Internet Explorer 5 and others will have Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1, you can create an IEAK package that includes both types of sign-up server solutions.
Developing and Incorporating Sign-up Solutions
In addition to setting up Internet Explorer for customers, you probably also need to sign customers up and bill them for your services. The IEAK comes with sample sign-up pages and scripts that you can customize to create a complete sign-up solution for your customers.
You can use the IEAK to design server-based and serverless solutions. You can use a sign-up server to provide a new customer with a fully active account. If a customer already has an account with your service or another service, you can update the user's settings through single-disk branding.
You can also use a server-based solution to customize Internet Explorer for different sets of customers without having to create a separate IEAK package for each group. In this case, all of the compact discs you send out are the same, but they are branded differently when the customer signs up.
For more information about Internet sign-up, see Chapter 20 , "Implementing the Sign-up Process."
Customization Benefits for Internet Content Providers
You can customize the appearance of the browser and Setup to showcase your content in a number of ways. You can customize Internet Explorer for Windows 16-bit, Windows 32-bit, and Apple Macintosh platforms.
Customizing the Browser
You can customize the appearance of the browsing software. That way, your organization's content can be more prominent when the user browses the Internet.
What are some reasons for customizing the browser? Perhaps you want to customize the customer's home page with content and links related to your business. By continually updating the content on your Web sites, you can keep your customers interested in and informed about your products or services.
To customize the browser, you can add your organization's name or another message to the title bar. For example, the phrase "Microsoft Internet Explorer Provided by ABX Computer Corporation" could appear on your title bar. You can also customize the static and animated logos that appear in the upper-right corner of the browser.
You can preset the following Web pages and links:
Customer support page
User's home page
User's search page
Links in the Links bar
Links in the Favorites bar
Channels (specialized ways of delivering Web content)
Add-on Components page (for optional components)
Note If you need to customize existing installations of Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1 and higher, you can use single-disk branding. This option creates a Setup.exe file in the BrndOnly folder of your build location. You can distribute this file on any media or server. When this file is run, it will customize Internet Explorer features without installing Internet Explorer. This option does not enable you to package and install custom components, however.
Customization Benefits for Internet Developers
You can include Internet Explorer technologies, such as the WebBrowser control, with your custom program. You can redistribute Internet Explorer on Windows 16-bit, Windows 32-bit, and Apple Macintosh platforms.
You can use the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) to easily create Internet Explorer distribution media. You can also specify home and search pages and a favorites list. This enables you to create and distribute a Web browser that reflects your organization's specific needs and the needs of your users.
By using setup scripts or command-line switches, you can reduce or eliminate the user interaction required to install Internet Explorer. This helps ensure a smooth installation experience when users set up your custom program with Internet Explorer.
Note If you need to customize existing installations of Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1 and higher, you can use single-disk branding. This option creates a Setup.exe file in the BrndOnly folder of your build location. You can distribute this file on any media or server. When this file is run, it will customize Internet Explorer features without installing Internet Explorer. This option does not enable you to package and install custom components, however.
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