The new features of Internet Explorer 4.0 are fully customizable via the IEAK. This
includes desktop components, toolbars, and wallpaper. These settings may also be locked
down so the end user cannot modify them.
Improved Browser Customizations
-------------------------------
All of the previous browser customizations from the IEAK version 3.2 are still available,
and the following have been added: custom user agent string, browser toolbar background,
and unlimited links (formerly there were only five "Quick Links").
System Policies and Restrictions Management
-------------------------------------------
In both the IEAK Wizard and Profile Manager, corporate administrators have the
ability to manage System Policies and Restrictions by using an easy-to-use interface.
Some of these restrictions include Active Desktop and shell feature lock-downs, and also
component settings, such as preventing users from placing calls from NetMeeting. Existing
policy template files (.adm) can also be imported and applied, providing for one central
administration tool.
ISPs can also limit the webcasting bandwidth used by each of their users on the System
Policies and Restrictions Management page of the IEAK Wizard.
Profile Manager
---------------
Profile Manager has expanded the capabilities of the INS Editor and now includes a
tree-view pane that allows for easy access to all the options available in the wizard.
Each option can be reached quickly, and the interface for making changes is as simple as
the wizard. Profile Manager also has incorporated the System Policies and Restrictions
management capabilities that are available in the wizard.
Code Signing Tools
------------------
The package created by the IEAK wizard must be digitally signed in order for your end users
to be able to install it. Tools have been included in the Resource Kit to allow you to do
this. All .cab files, as well as IE4setup.exe, that are in the destination directory must be
signed with the tools provided. For more help on digital signatures, refer to the Help
documentation.
HTML Parsing
------------
Any local HTML files specified in the IEAK, unless noted otherwise, will be parsed for <IMG>
tags. If the files referenced in these tags are in the same directory as the HTML file, they
will be included in the package. References to files in another directory or external files
will not be included. For all URLs specified, include the correct protocol (ex: http://).
GENERAL SETUP REQUIREMENTS
==========================
Before you can use the IEAK, you must install Internet Explorer 4.0.
Before starting the IEAK wizard, calculate how much disk space is required for the
components you want to install. If you plan to install all the components of the Internet
Explorer suite, then you will need approximately 50 MB in the Program Files folder and
50 MB on the destination drive. For more information about the size of Microsoft components,
refer to the Help documentation, under the References heading.
AFTER YOU RUN THE IEAK WIZARD
=============================
After the wizard has built your custom packages, you will need to make sure your users
are able to gain access to the created package. For more information about file locations
and server setup, refer to the Help documentation.
FUTURE PLANS
============
16-bit/UNIX Packages
--------------------
The IEAK currently does not build packages for 16-bit or UNIX platforms. Future releases
to accomodate these packages will run only on 32-bit platforms.
KNOWN ISSUES
============
-The Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK) will not be available until October. This
limits the IEAK to importing Beta CMAK Profiles.
-5C DBCS characters cannot be used in file name edit fields. This will be fixed in a future
release.
-If you are using Automatic Configuration with an .asp file, the MIME type on the server
must be set.
-If you are using a case-sensitive UNIX FTP server, you must make sure your \ie4sites directory is not capitalized, but the following files are capitalized: BRANDING.CAB, CUSTOM.CIF, DESKTOP.CAB, IE40.CIF, IE40CIF.CAB, and IE4SITES.DAT.
-The color-depth of the background bitmap for the CD AutoRun program must be less than 24-bit.
-If positioned too far to the bottom-right, Active Desktop components and the Channel Bar may be positioned off the screen when imported from a high resolution machine (1024x768) and installed on a low resolution machine (640x480). To correct, adjust the positions of these components on the machine you are importing from. Also note that importing Active Desktop components and the Channel Bar to higher resolution machines may cause these items to be repositioned.
-Bandwidth issues should be handled via subscription restrictions and security zones settings. Channel restriction behavior may depend on these settings.
-Desktop wallpaper can only be changed in the Profile Manager by importing the Active Desktop.
-Updates of desktop toolbars through automatic configuration is not supported.
-If you select to 'Import current Software Distribution Channel configuration' on some systems the IEAK Wizard may not complete the build process. To correct, edit the following file as instructed. For Windows 95 - c:\windows\favorites\software updates\microsoft internet explorer\desktop.ini. For Windows NT c:\winnt\profiles\%UserProfileName%\Favorites\software updates\microsoft internet explorer\desktop.ini. Folders and files are hidden - use DOS command Dir /A to view localized path. Add the following lines to desktop.ini:
