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Guide to Customizing and Distributing Mozilla 1.4.1
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Preface

This guide describes how to customize and distribute Mozilla 1.4.1. It includes information on how to

Before using the CCK tool or this guide, be sure to check the latest Mozilla 1.4.1 Client Customization Kit Release Notesand sign up for the Browser Distribution Program. For details on where to find these and other important sources of information, see Where to Go for Related Information.

This preface contains these sections:

Who Should Read This Guide
About the CCK Tool
If You've Used a Previous Version of CCK
How to Use This Guide
Where to Go for Related Information

Who Should Read This Guide

This guide is intended for organizations that need a simple solution for customizing Mozilla and distributing it to their end users. If you are an ISP or distributor, for example, you can use the Client Customization Kit (CCK) to create and distribute customized versions of Mozilla 1.4.1.

This guide describes how to use the CCK tool to create a customized Mozilla 1.4.1 installer, prepare it for cross-platform distribution via CDs and/or network installers, and ensure that your customers can easily connect to their Internet accounts using a modem and phone line.

About the CCK Tool

The CCK tool allows you to customize basic Mozilla preferences and defaults and add your own branding elements to the Navigator browser, the CD autorun screen, and the Mozilla installer. These customizations can help promote your business, simplify account set up for new users, drive traffic to your site, and reduce service and support costs by providing links to online resources.

The CCK Tool creates Mozilla installers for Windows 95/98, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Linux operating systems. You can also produce a Macintosh version by completing additional manual steps (documented in this guide) after you produce a Windows version.

The CCK tool lets you create the simplest set of customizations in just a few minutes. These customizations, which require minimal preparation, include the following:

The CCK tool also helps you create the following customizations, which require some preparation before you run the tool:

After you have run the tool and tested its customizations, you can perform a wide range of advanced manual customizations by modifying the installation files. Manual customizations include:

After you have tested your manual customizations, you may need to manipulate the installation files further to create Macintosh installers. In addition, you'll need to prepare to distribute your installers (by means of CDs or network-downloadable installers) and plan for post-distribution support, such as account setup and troubleshooting.

If You've Used a Previous Version of CCK

Using Existing Customized Files

In most cases you can use your existing customized files without having to make any changes to them. Refer to Table 1 for information on using existing customized files with the CCK tool.


Table 1    Using Existing Customized CCK 4.x Files


To Use This File

Do This

Netscape.cfg

No longer supported. For information on preferences formerly included in this file, see Chapter 12 "Advanced Netscape Customizations."

rshell.ini file (specifies CD autorun screens)

No changes are necessary.

For information on incorporating this file into your Mozilla installer, see Chapter 11 "Manually Customizing the CD Autorun Screen."

Any custom files you've created for the CD autorun screens, such as custom .bmp images (for background images and buttons on the Autorun screens)

No changes necessary.

For information on incorporating these files into your Mozilla installer, seeChapter 11 "Manually Customizing the CD Autorun Screen."

Small and large animation files (.BMP format) for Navigator animated logo

Convert the small and large .BMP files to .GIF format animation files.

For information on incorporating these files into your Mozilla 1.4.1 installer, see Chapter 5 "Preparing to Customize the Mozilla Browser."

bookmark.htm file (bookmarks file)

You must rename the file to bookmarks.html.

For information on incorporating this file into your Mozilla installer, see Chapter 5 "Preparing to Customize the Mozilla Browser."

.NCI files (for offline account setup)

.NCI files are not supported in Mozilla 1.4

readme.txt file

No changes are necessary.

For information on incorporating this file into your Mozilla 1.4.1 installer, see Chapter 5 "Preparing to Customize the Mozilla Browser."

NetHelp files

NetHelp is no longer supported.

Pab.na2 (address book)

No changes are necessary.

Setup.bmp (installer splash screen bitmap file)

This file is no longer supported.

How to Use This Guide

For the latest online version of this guide, which is updated periodically, see the following:

Start by reading these two chapters:

If you are making only the simplest customizations described in Chapter 2, you can skip to Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 (see below).

If you need more information about any CCK tool screen or if you wish to use the CCK tool to make additional customizations that require some file preparation, read the following chapters:

After you have verified all the customization you have made with the CCK tool, you can make additional manual customizations if you wish:

After you have completed and verified all your manual customizations, follow the instructions in these chapters that apply to your situation:

Two appendixes provide additional practical information for ISPs:

Where to Go for Related Information

Before using the CCK tool or this guide, be sure to check the latest Mozilla 1.4.1 Client Customization Kit Release Notes and sign up for the Browser Distribution Program.

For the latest online version of this guide, which is updated periodically, see the following:

For information on third-party software and distribution solutions, see:

http:www.netscapetogo.com

For links to information on setting up an ISP, see Appendix A "Resources for ISPs."



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Last Updated October 05, 2001