Self installing package by email

[Ray Stainer]

I want to send a version of Winzip in a format that will self extract and can be opened and installed by someone with limited computer knowledge.

He has been told that he needs Winzip to open any compressed files.

I don't want to get too involved in what he needs to do at his end, but my grandchildren want to know how to send the self-extracting (and self installing Winzip package), since they were asked the question initially.

Please help if you can

thanks

Ray

[HeadachesAbound]

If they have a web connection, direct them to the following address...

http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exe

This should result in auto download of the software.

They should also be able to do a "Run from server" option which will begin the installation immediately instead of downloading it.

If they are using WinXP they shouldn't Winzip as it supports Compressed files.

[Ray Stainer]

Thanks.

Can I insert "http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exes." into
the email body or an attachment, as you have done here?
That would be useful for a lot of occasions I can think of. Does it need JAVA or something.

Thanks again

Ray

[david eaton]

Hi Ray
if you insert the URL into an e-mail, it will automatically become a link. At least, it does if you are using Outlook Express. Can't guarantee it with other e-mail clients but I think it works OK.

David

[HeadachesAbound]

Like David said. With most email programs the address will appear as a link at the receiving end of the message. If the person you send it to has a program that is configured to display it as a link it will appear as a link.

Nothing special is required. It's just a link to the WinZip download page.

[Ray Stainer]

Very Sorry Both.

I have missed something.

I sent myself an email which included the "http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip81.exe." but at Rx end it was just text.

I'm not very bright with any NEW concept.

Ray

[HeadachesAbound]

Which email program are you using?

[Budfred]

Even if it doesn't come through as a link, you can still copy and paste it into the brower, then hit Enter to go to the site. If you don't put the link on its own line it will lose its link-like quality. :D

Budfred

[david eaton]

Hi Ray. You didn't use quotes in your message did you?
I just tried it myself, and it works OK. Must be something different in your e-mail settings.
From the OE help file:-
To insert a hyperlink or HTML page into a message

Click the place in the message where you want the hyperlink or Web page text to appear.
To add a hyperlink, on the Insert menu, click Hyperlink. Select the file type, and then type the location or address of the link.
To add an HTML page, on the Insert menu, click Text from File. In the Files of type box, select HTML Files, and then find the file you want to add.

hope that helps.

David

[Paul Komski]

In OE check which format you are composing mail in. If it is RTF(HTML) then there should be no problem either typing-in or using "Insert" for Hyperlinks. If you are using plain text then you can still type in FULL hyperlinks (their appearance should change to blue text to show they are active) but it is easy for them to revert to plain black text depending on what else you type in that mail. For the recipient to have active hyperlinks show-up in their message, they must be using a mail client that is set-up to support their display.

It should also be possible to use a compression utility like WinZip (I use UltimateZip in Win2K) to create a self-extracting file/folder and even to customise the set up so that it will extract to a specific location, etc, if that is desired. You will need to practice with the utility on your own pc but post back if you can't get it to do what you want it to. These self-extracting files are usually .exe file types.

As already stated, XP (and also WinME) have a compression utility that comes with the OS. To Zip-up use the "Send to Compressed Folder" from a R-Click menu and to Un-zip use "Extract All" from the same menu. So if your friends don't have XP/ME they will need to install a compression utility to deal with .zip files. WinZip is probably the best known and can be downloaded from the link that Headaches provided but there are other good Freebies like UltimateZip (http://www.ultimatezip.com/) and EasyCrypto (http://www.handybits.com).

Java doesn't come into this equation anywhere - btw. ;)