[WEB4LIB] Stripped down IE wanted

[Andrew Mutch]

Tony,

Actually, it would be easier in Netscape with 4.08 stand-alone running in
Superkiosk mode.  Since you already have CP running in the background,
you've handled the limiting access portion.  Now, you just need to
configure the browser to your liking.

See the following page to get started:
http://northville.lib.mi.us/tech/netscape.html

First, follow the instructions on how to set up Superkiosk mode.  This
creates a browser with no toolbars and no menu bars - a patron can only
exit the browser.  If you want to add in the toolbar, follow the
directions on the basic "kiosk" page on how to specify your own toolbars.
Voila!  You can have a browser with a tool bar but no "file" menu.  The
Search and MyNetscape buttons should be disabled by CP making this a very
clean and tight installation.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI


Tony New wrote:

> PROBLEM/GOAL: Provide access to specific Internet Databases
> without providing access to the whole Internet *and* disguise the
> fact that the database is "on the net" by stripping down the browser
> to a bare bones configuration.
>
> WANTED:  Stripped down version of IE created by using IE Admin
> Kit. I'm hoping somebody out there has done something similar to
> what I'm *planning* to do and will save me a ton of time by letting
> me have a copy of your version of IE to start with so I don't have to
> start from scratch.
>
> BACKGROUND:  Our Policy/Procedure is to allow patrons to
> choose, for themselves and their minor children,  the level of
> Internet access they wish to use: No Access, Filtered Access, or
> Full Access.   We are defining "no access" to mean "no surfing
> allowed;"  which allows us to still provide access to other library
> catalogues and selected databases *through* the net.
>
> For example, The Texas State Library has a number of databases
> available free to Texas Public Libraries.  To access these
> databases you use an Internet Browser and register your IP#s with
> the TSL..
>
> I have solved the first part of the problem and I am now beginning
> work on the second part of the configuration.  To restrict access to
> only the sites we want, I am using a custom "Yes List" in
> CyberPatrol to limit access to those databases and only those
> databases.  I've also replaced the standard cp.gif file that shows up
> when you try to access a blocked site with our own custom gif file
> that contains our Library Logo and a message that reads "The
> resource you are trying to access is not available on this computer.
>  If you need assistance, ask a Librarian." -- much friendlier than the
> CyberPatrol code and logo that shows as a default.  <smile>
>
> The next step is to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer Admin Kit to
> strip down the browser so that it is bare bones.  All of the
> databases in question have internal navigation buttons.  If all I had
> left was the File save, exit, and print buttons that would be perfect!
> I *definitely* do not want the Address toolbar visible or accessible.
>
> We have a PC-Lab with 12 workstations.  Nine are full-access, two
> are filtered-access, and three are no-access.  All of the computers
> have Application Suites such as WP and MS office on them as
> well as access to our CD-ROM network.  All are Win98 machines.
>
> I'm going to use this stripped down browser on the 3 no-access
> machines in the PC-Lab and on our walk-up OPAC stations.
>
> Any suggestions or comments would be gratefully accepted.  I
> would especially like to hear from those folks that have played
> around with IEAK.  At first glance, it does not look like an easy
> program to master.  <sigh>  *But* it looks easier than Netscape's
> version that does something similar.  <another sigh>
>
> Now... were did I put those M&Ms?  <smile>
> Chocolate always makes the job easier...
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Tony W. New, Systems/Technical Services Librarian
> Rowlett Public Library, P.O. Box 1017, Rowlett, TX 75030-1017
> Phone: 972-412-6155, Fax: 972-412-6153
> email: libtwn at rowlett.lib.tx.us, web: http://www.rowlett.lib.tx.us