How can I create in the client's desktop a shortcut to my website?

[yo_era_wert]

Hi there,
I need to create a shortcut in the clients desktop, with icon and stuf, to open the client's browser in my webpage.
I belive I have to create some kind of dowlodable file so the user can chose to install it or not, but the thing is that I'm not sure on how to do it exactly
I already have the "make this page your Home page" and "add to my favorites" features, but my boss insist in add also this feature to the site.
Please any help will be usefull
Thnx

[oracleguy]

You could make some sort of downloadable program that will do it because to add a shortcut onto the user's desktop, it'd require more access to the system than the browser lets (or should let, if you are talking about IE) the web page have. Otherwsie there isn't any way to do it unless I suppose you were to use a security hole in the browser, but we aren't even gonna go there.

[yo_era_wert]

thnx, but in the case of an exe file how do I make it?
Any Idea?

[mlseim]

You could explain on the website ... IE Users:
1) Click on Favorites.
2) Put mouse on link to this website.
3) Right-Click, select Send-To, then select Desktop (create shortcut).

Otherwise, to create .exe, you need C++ compiler, or Visual Basic compiler.

There might be a way to use Excel (VB Macro), but it won't be a
stand-alone .exe file.

[Confused!]

Look at the URL in your browser. Notice that just to the left of the link is a small picture? In IE it is usually an 'e' and in Netscape it is more often a picture that the web designers put there. If you click on this small image and drag to your desktop, low and behold it creates a shortcut. Could you just not let them know that? It's probably the most simple and effective way I know!

[yo_era_wert]

Thnx for all your post, I know there are several ways to put a shortcut icon to a web page, I really pareciate every post of you. But what I really want to know, its how to make the functionallity for intall somethig (with propper permissions of the client of course) in the way a flash player , or some serch bars are intaled, I mean:
-the user clicks a link
-The page (i don't know exactlly what, and thats what I want to know) prompts to the user for a permission to intall somthing in their machine (I guess is by ActiveX control or something)
-then the little softwere is installed in the client's desktop and I'm happy 'cos my boss stops bugin' me out :D
Please any help will be useful

[musher]

Ok this is kind of a round about way to do it but it works.
(used it at work, all our clients use MS os, and IE, so not sure about other OSs and browsers)

1. create a short cut to your site on your desktop, rename this short cut to "MySite", copy this short cut to the folder your web page is in.

2. add code below to your web page.

(forgot the icon part last nite .... ops)
3. for the Icon, take the Icon you want to use copy to root of your site as favicon.ico this works on IIS, not sure about other servers.

Note: when they click on the link to the url short cut you created it will give them the option to open or save (allowing them to save it to there desktop).




<p>
Instructions to save new short cuts to desktop:
<br>
Follow steps below for each short cut you want replace or add on your Desk Top.
</p>
<ul>
<li>1. Delete old short cut (if there is one)</li>
<li>2. Click on "click here" Icon for each Short Cut you wish to copy.</li>.
<li>3. Select "Save" (File Download)</li>
<li>4. Enter "Desktop" in the Save in area (Save As)</li>
<li>5. Select "Save" (Save As)</li>
<li>6. Select "Close" (Download Complete)</li>
</ul>
<p>
To create a NEW Short cut to <i>My WebSite</i> on your desktop <a href="MySite.url"> Click Here</a>
</p>