Problems Viewing Local Web Pages With MSIE
Kenn's
20001103: Problems Viewing Local Web Pages With MSIE
November/2000
Tech
Notes
Tech Note #3
On Windows 9x systems that have the NoRun policy invoked (this includes locked users under LockIt95 as well as systems which use the policy "Remove 'Run' command" via System Policy Editor), users will be unable to enter a local or network file name in Internet Explorer. Entering, for example, S:\CLASS1\TEST.HTM in the URL bar will generate the error "Accessing the resource 'S:\CLASS1\TEST.HTM' has been disallowed."
This is a necessary element of the NoRun policy. Because Internet Explorer is in many ways indistinguishable from Windows Explorer, it is important that locked users not be able to access the Explorer interface from Internet Explorer.
Unfortunately, for users who are creating and editing web pages on the workstation, it presents an obstacle to viewing the web pages they are working on. It is possible, however, to preview local web pages. There are at least three ways which work quite well.
Any one of these techniques will work:
A. Install Internet Information Server on your local apps server. Give locked users special directories where they can post their web pages in progress. They can then access their local pages using http:// with the address of the local web server, and the appropriate path name.
B. Use Netscape Communicator. Netscape does not use the Explorer interface. Therefore, it is not subject to the NoRun policy. Local file names can be entered in Netscape's URL bar.
C. There is a freeware (CareWare, actually) program installed on all lab workstations which allows locked users to preview local web pages in Internet Explorer more or less directly. It is called Arachnophilia. Whether or not the user is using FrontPage Express, AOLPress, Netscape Composer, or any other program to create and edit their web page, the page can still be opened in Arachnophilia. Arachnophilia has a special preview feature which allows the user to launch the page in the desired browser directly from Arachnophilia. Internet Explorer (the "system" browser in Arachnophilia) can be launched directly and the NoRun policy is bypassed. Arachnophilia supports multiple browsers for previewing, as well, so the same document can be preview in Internet Explorer or Netscape, or any other installed browser directly from the preview menu in Arachnophilia. Whether or not the user is interested in viewing the HTML source - which is what you first see when you open a web document in Arachnophilia - its browser preview feature is a quick and easy way to load local web documents into Internet Explorer when the NoRun policy would otherwise prevent it.
DISCLAIMER: This document is intended for the reference of computer support personnel within Winnipeg School Division No. 1. There is no warranty or liability if procedures recommended here have an adverse affect on any systems. Use them at your own risk. Any trademarks mentioned are the property of their owners, none of whom have certified any information provided here. Opinions expressed here are personal only and do not represent the policy of Winnipeg School Division No. 1 or any other organization anywhere.
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2001 June 9 |
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