[WEB4LIB] Disabling Netscape buttons

[Peter Schlumpf]

I have the same problem too.  I'm developing a public access Internet kiosk
and have to lock down Netscape as much as possible.  There is a switch you
can use in the prefs.js file that sets the seach button to an arbitrary
URL.  I don't think there's a corresponding switch for the "My Netscape"
button.

My solution so far is using a proxy server to block access to unwanted
sites and I expect this to work for the My Netscape button as well.  The
user will get an error message from the proxy server; a clumsy solution,
but it's better than no solution at all, and I planned to use the proxy
server anyway.

I really, really, really wish for a browser with just simple navigation
tools (back, forward, reload, home, stop) and NO silly redundant features
that server purely marketing purposes (My Netscape, Shop, etc.), and that
doesnt require jumping through hoops and employing fancy tricks just to
secure and customize a browser.

Peter Schlumpf
schlumpf at nslsilus.org

"L. E. Puckett" wrote:

> Our public library is running the Netscape 4.08 Standalone browser, with
> WinSelect, on Win95/Pentium machines. We have a problem with the "My
> Netscape" button in the latest version of the Standalone - it goes right
> to the Netscape home page.
>
> Since these machines are for database access only, not Internet
> generally, we need a way to get rid of that button, or disable it. I
> have tried modifying the prefs.js file as directed by the "How to Change
> the URL of the Netscape tool bar search button" article on the Sunsite
> Berkeley page, modified for the "my Netscape", but I must not be writing
> it correctly because it didn't work. I also tried disabling it with the
> instructions for "How to kill the Netscape Shop Button" but that didn't
> work either. I went through the Web4Lib archives for button disabling,
> but the only msg I found had no answers posted, it was just the
> question, like this one.
>
> So, how do I disable/delete/dispose of the "My Netscape" button? Can
> anyone help? Pretty please? would appreciate any possible assistance.
>
> Lynne
> --
> L.E. Puckett
> Parmly Billings Library
> 510 North Broadway
> Billings,  MT  59101