Prepare to Run the Wizard

Before running the wizard, you should gather the information you will need, create custom bitmaps, and decide how you want to configure the Windows Desktop Update for your organization.

• 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.

  Note

  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. The corresponding URL would be http://computername/Cie. Note that when you are creating a browser package, the folder IE4site will be appended to your URL.

• Create a folder on your hard disk or network drive for the custom bitmaps you will use.
• Make initial preparations for signing certain files, such as customization files created by the IEAK wizard and any custom components. With browser security features, users are warned 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.

  Signing the cabinet files and custom programs requires two steps: obtaining a digital certificate—from a certificate authority (CA) such as Verisign or GTE—and signing the code. For more information, see Signing Your Programs.

• Create the following directory structure:

  Folder Name	Description
  \CIE	Parent root for all files
  \CIE\Bitmaps	Custom bitmap files (graphic files needed for your custom browser)

You can also create a custom browser package on a CD-ROM.

• 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.

  For information about how to do this, see Editing 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 start, 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 IEAK wizard.

• Plan your security and Windows Desktop Update strategies

  You can customize and control many user options, such as security and the Windows Desktop Update. You should plan your strategy before you run the IEAK wizard.