Microsoft Releases: Internet Explorer Administration Kit Version 3.1
Monday 25th
December 1996
For immediate release
The Microsoft
Corner is proud to give news that Microsoft has released the
Internet Explorer Administration Kit Version 3.1 (IEAK). You can
now download it at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ieak
The IEAK 3.1
is still FREE!!! - So if you're interested, get it today!
Continue to read below for more information.
What is the IEAK?
With the Internet Explorer
Administration Kit (IEAK), you can change our browser to match
the look and needs of any organization. The IEAK also provides an
easy way to distribute pre-configured versions of the browser to
end users or customers.
Pre-configure user options
for a hands-free install
Maintain browser settings
automatically from a central location. (Including
customization, proxy and end-user lockout of IE options
Menu. aka Auto-proxy config)
Bundle and pre-configure
Internet Explorer and add-in's together for a single
download (Mail and News, NetMeeting, ActiveMovie, HTML
layout control and Comic Chat)
Add 2 additional user defined
add-on applications for automatic install by the IEAK
installer.
A simple Wizard guides corporate
administrators, Internet Content Providers (ICPs), and Internet
Service providers (ISPs) through the process of creating
self-installing versions of Internet Explorer and any add-on
products, like Microsoft NetMeeting. You can redistribute
Internet Explorer royalty-free under the terms of Microsoft
licensing and distribution agreements.
The IEAK offers distinct
advantages to each of the groups listed below.
Corporate Administrators
Internet Service Providers
Internet Content Providers
Plus - IT'S FREE!
What's new in version
3.1!
Internet Explorer for Windows
95/NT 4.0 updated to version 3.01
Internet Explorer for
Windows(R) 3.1 updated to version 3.0
Customization allowed for
Internet Explorer animated logos - Now everyone: ISPs,
ICPs and Corporate Admins can replace the Animated 'e'
with their own animated logos!
Automatically install
individual optional components ISPs, Corporate Admins and
ICPs can choose force installation of optional and addon
components. For example an ISP can create a customized
self-installing EXE with IE, Mail and News, Netmeeting
and Comic Chat and only allow their end-users to choose
whether Netmeeting and Comic Chat are installed. IE and
Mail and News would always be installed on the end-user's
machine.
Greater flexibility for ISPs
developing Internet solutions. The IEAK wizard now allows
ISPs two different methods to signup customers to their
service: Serverless or Semi-Automatic Configurations and
Automatic using the Internet Sign-up Server (ISS). Both
options will automatically configure the End-User's
machine and generate a dialup connection that
allows>access to the ISP's service. Automatic Signup
(ISS) is based on the Referral Server principle that
allows ISPs to signup new clients using an online HTML
driven Web server. This server-based sign-up process
automates the task of adding new customers to a customer
database. The sign-up process happens in three steps:
The new customer connects to
a sign-up server.
An HTML/HTTP-based dialog box
collects information from the user, and adds the customer
information to a customer database.
The server passes a
configuration packet back to the customer's computer. The
packet includes information about configuration and
branding. It also includes the local phone number so the
customer can access the Internet service provider.
Serverless signup enables users to
install the custom Internet Explorer browser. The installation
process requires them to change only the user name, password, and
connection information to set up an account and connect to the
Internet by using the custom browser.
Better corporate
administrative support including Automatic Browser
Configuration. From Hands-Free Installation, to
Centralizied configuration and proxy settings, the IEAK
offers corporate admins the most flexible way to deploy
and maintain an Internet browser.
Automatic Configuration
During initialization, the browser
will connect to an Intranet URL and retrieve a settings file that
will automatically change configurations such as Proxy, Start
& Search page, Quicklinks, Restricted Option menu items, Mail
and News settings, etc. Also, Admins can easily administer
configuration files using a new tool called INSEDIT.
New NetMeeting Features
The IEAK wizard now allows admins
to fine-tune their NetMeeting settings. Disabling Audio
functionality or enabling calls over the IPX/SPX protocol are
just two of the many options available.
Built in context sensitive
help and updated online help. New for this version is the
addition of context sensitive help that allows IEAK users
to receive help on any individual item in the IEAK Wizard
by clicking the ? and then selecting a wizard item. For
example, clicking the Customization Code (the code that
uniquely identifies the licensed IEAK user) field of the
Wizard would reveal the following pop-up: Provides a
space for you to type your 10-digit key. If you can't
find your 10-digit customization code, e-mail ieak@msn.com and request your 10-digit key
code.
In addition, the IEAK
documentation has been completely re-written in HTML,
providing IEAK users with online step-by-step examples of
everything from creating customized browsers in ISP, ICP
and Corp Admin modes to setting up the Internet Signup
Server on Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0.
