The release of the new version 6 again continues the long and successful story of Discstarter. Discstarter is the leading solution for displaying HTML-based content in a professional way; thousands of satisfied customers around the world use Discstarter for various scenarios, e.g. CD-ROM/DVD-ROM start menus, kiosk terminals and as launcher for Web applications on the Desktop. Due to the fact that Discstarter offers a huge set of customization options, every Discstarter front-end becomes a unique piece of software that reflects individuality and professionalism. The new version offers also a developer API that allows extending Discstarter with custom functionality from a DLL file. Performing special tasks like interacting with the Windows operating system (e.g. accessing custom hardware, etc.) can now be triggered from within the menu with a single line of JavaScript code!
Another aspect of version 6 is the newly introduced Client License, a special license for kiosk terminals and Web application launchers. While Discstarter is usually licensed on a per project model, the installation of the Discstarter Runtime System on a local computer is normally not intended. The Client License allows to license Discstarter on a per computer model which is the right choice for kiosk terminals on which users interact with Discstarter or for starting Web applications on the Desktop.
New Features in Discstarter 6:
- A Windows registry file (.reg) can be imported automatically on start up
- Default browser shortcuts (e.g. Ctrl+P for printing) can be disabled
- Taskbar button of the Discstarter window can be hidden
- EXE, CMD and MSI files can (optionally) be executed with elevated UAC (User Access Control) on Windows Vista and Windows 7
- New modern Office 2010 look & feel for Discstarter Designer application
- Developer API for adding custom functionality using a DLL file accessible over the JavaScript Window.external object)
- New license type “Client License” for using Discstarter on kiosk terminals and as Web application launcher on the Desktop
Use Cases covered by Discstarter 6:
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB Stick Autostart Menu / Front End:
Discstarter’s major use case covers all kind of CD/DVD-ROM menus e.g. magazine cover mounts, product catalogs, company presentations, digital business cards, handbooks, documentations, online help, E-Learning publications, E-Books, job applications, … Apart from CD’s and DVD’s also other removable media like USB sticks or memory cards can be used with Discstarter.
Front End for Kiosk Terminals and Public Displays:
Discstarter can also be used as a flexible user interface for kiosk terminals (e.g. on trade fairs, hotel lobbies or Internet cafés). This gives you the full control over the look and feel and protects the host system from unauthorized access. In order to use the kiosk mode, enter a password in Discstarter Designer that will protect autostart.exe from being closed by the user without the password. Additionally Windows should be configured to work in a kiosk mode as well. Microsoft offers a special toolkit for Windows Vista and XP called “Windows SteadyState”. This toolkit works well with Discstarter.
Launcher for Web Applications on the Desktop:
Do you want to give your web-based application a “desktop look & feel”? Use Discstarter as a launcher to run your application on a local Desktop machine – either over the Internet (Discstarter serves as a browser replacement) or using the integrated, installation-free local Web server (see “Using Server2Go”). This allows you to run Web applications in a customized window instead of a normal browser window. Using Discstarter gives your Web Applications a professional look and feel and prevents users from doing “other things” because the actual browser (Discstarter) is locked down.
For more information and a free (unrestricted) trial version, please visit: http://www.mirabyte.com/en/products/discstarter.html
