APPLICATION DESIGN

Customizing how users install the DOLS subscription
The developer has two choices for how users install and possibly manage the subscription: the Web Control or an icon. The developer must choose one, then copy the appropriate design element into the main database of the subscription. They must then create a frame in the main frameset of the subscription and place either the Web Control or icon in it.

Using the Web Control

The Web Control is the recommended way to have users install a subscription.

The "DOLS Web Control" page (in DOLRES.NTF) loads ActiveX (in Internet Explorer browsers) or plug-ins (in Mozilla browsers) that enable "Go offline" and "Go Online" menu items in the subscription. When users click "Go Offline" or "Go Online" they can choose several options, including installing the subscription.

You can cut and paste the contents of the Web Control page to another page or design element, but the disadvantage of cutting and pasting is that you do not automatically receive changes the next time you upgrade.

The "DOLS Web Control Bitmaps" page (in DOLRES.NTF) contains the default images the user clicks to open the Web Control menu. You can replace these images with your own by giving your files the same names as the default files, then deleting and replacing the default files with your own.

Your image files must have the following names to override the default image files:


One reason you may want to change the default bitmaps is to replace the default English words in the images with another language. Or, you may want to say something other than "Install Subscription," "Go Offline," or "Go Online," or use different colors.

You must create a frame for the Web Control in the main frameset of the subscription. The default height and width for each bitmap file is 64 pixels by 16 pixels. To change the default height and width of the bitmaps, edit the JavaScript(TM) in the "DOLS Web Control" page. (Make sure you also adjust the size of the frame that contains the bitmap.)

Each subscription can have only one Web control.

Using an icon

The "DOLS Load Download Page" page contains an icon called DOLS.GIF, which loads into a new frame in the subscription. Unlike the Web Control, there is no popup menu. A user clicks the icon to install the subscription. Once the subscription is installed, the user must manage the subscription (for example, synchronize, or open the subscription online or offline) with the IBM® Lotus® Domino(TM) Sync Manager.

An advantage of using this page instead of the Web Control is that the subscription downloads faster. Or you may want to use your company's logo as the icon for downloading the subscription. The recommended way to use this page is to include it as a frame in a frameset. You can also cut and paste the JavaScript to another page or design element, but the disadvantage of cutting and pasting is that you do not automatically receive changes the next time you upgrade.

You can replace DOLS.GIF with your own image by opening DOLRES.NTF, choosing Shared Resources - Images, clicking New Image Resource, and adding your image. Then replace references to DOLS.GIF in the JavaScript contained in the "DOLS Load Download Page" page with the name of your image.