Prepare to Run the Wizard

Verify that the computer you will build your package from meets the hardware and software requirements.

Determine the encryption levels for your browser packages. For information about encryption of Internet Explorer, see the IEAK Web site.

Choose a sign-up method

For more information, see Internet Sign-up with the Internet Connection Wizard, Setting Up a Sign-up Server for Full-Screen Kiosk Mode, and Creating a Serverless Sign-up Package.

Create the structure

• Decide how you will be distributing your custom package (floppy disk, CD, or download). After the IEAK builds your package, you will need to move the files to the selected media. If you build a downloadable package, you must move the package to the appropriate place on your server.
• If you decide to publish your browser package to an Internet server, you need to gather the path to the server and the URL from which the files will be downloaded. Then create a folder on the Web server, such as CIE, to publish all the files and folders associated with your custom browser. For example, you might create a server path of C:\Inetpub\Wwwroot\Cie.

• Make initial preparations for signing certain files, such as customization files created by the Internet Explorer Customization wizard and any custom components, if you distribute files over the Internet or an intranet that isn't especially configured. With browser security features, users are warned about or prevented from downloading files that aren't signed. Digital signatures identify the source of programs and guarantee that the code hasn't changed since it was signed.

  The Customization wizard can sign your files if you have a publishing certificate from a certification authority. To prepare certificates for use by the IEAK, you can import them onto your computer by using the Certificate Manager Import wizard. If you have received a file with an .spc extension, you can start the Certificate Manager Import wizard by double-clicking the .spc file in Windows Explorer or My Computer.

  You can also open the Certificate Manager from Internet Explorer. To do so, click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, click the Content tab, and then click Certificates. Click Import to start the Certificate Manager Import wizard, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

• Create the following folder structure:

  Folder name	Description
  \CIE	Parent root for all files
  \CIE\Custom	Custom files (such as Signup.isp, Signup.htm, Icwsign.htm, Install.ins, and Cancel.ins, depending on your sign-up method) for server-based sign-up
  \CIE\Dist	Destination directory for the files (this folder is needed only if you are creating your browser package on a hard disk or network drive)
  \CIE\Bitmaps	Custom bitmap files (graphic files needed for your custom browser)

• Copy the necessary files.
1. Select all the files contained in the following subfolders where the IEAK is installed: \Toolkit\Isp\Servless for serverless Internet sign-up, or \Toolkit\Isp\Server\ for server-based Internet sign-up.
2. Copy these files to CIE\Custom.
• Customize the sign-up file.

  Using the existing files on your desktop computer, you can start to customize your browser. If your customers will sign up for your services by using the browser in kiosk mode, then begin by updating the Signup.htm file, which is the first page users see. When users click Install on this page, setup information contained in the Install.ins file copies your custom settings to the users' browsers. If your customers will sign up for your services by using the Internet Connection wizard, see Internet Sign-up with the Internet Connection Wizard for more information.

To modify Signup.htm

1. Open the Signup.htm file using an editor such as Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft FrontPage Express.
2. Modify any information to fit your situation. For example, you might want to add technical support information. If you are using multiple sign-up servers, you can replace the links to .isp files.

Note

• If you want to prevent a default area code from being set, you can set a flag in the .isp file. The syntax for this flag is:
  Dial_As_Is=Yes
  

  You might want to set this flag if, for example, some users might be calling from an area code different than the default. If users aren't aware that the default area code differs from their current area code, they could unexpectedly incur long-distance charges.

• Create animated bitmaps.

  Two tools are included with the IEAK to help you create customized animated bitmaps for your browser. One tool is used to stack bitmaps in the format described above, while the other tool previews the animation. For information about how to use these tools, see Animated Bitmap Tools.

• Create a bitmap for the Autorun splash screen.

  If you plan to distribute your custom browser on a compact disc, you'll need to create bitmaps as part of the Autorun splash screen that is displayed after the user has inserted the compact disc. To create this bitmap, see Create a Bitmap for the Autorun Splash Screen.

• Edit your graphic.

  The custom backgrounds and buttons are displayed only on computers with 256-color (8-bit) display capabilities. On computers with 16-color (4-bit) display capabilities, a standard low-resolution background bitmap and button set are displayed.

• Gather the URLs for home, Search, and support pages.

  It's a good idea to create a support page that will appear if your users encounter problems when installing the browser. You will be prompted for the URLs for these pages when you run the Internet Explorer Customization wizard.