Installing desktop icon and link

ddc

Is there a way to write a PHP code that will install an icon and link onto a users computer from a web page?
I can use a Java applet to bookmark a page but would rather like to have an icon installed onto a client desktop when they request it.

jerdo

Since no one else has said it yet, PHP is a server side language and doesn't touch the end users system.

stolzyboy

i didn't want to sound like an arrogant dick like i usually am to silly, unresearched questions about how php works

scoppc

well, this issue is quite interesting especially when you are developing an application (web-based) that will be used within a LAN.

I am now developing web-based application (PHP and MySQL) for a clinic. It is very simple (patient queue, patient data management, etc.) but I want this application to have an icon automatically installed or placed on the desktop when install script is run.

I would be glad to know if anybody has done this. Will installer help?

martyn

Surely if the computer is on a network then you place a shortcut onto the client computers???

scoppc

Surely if the computer is on a network then you place a shortcut onto the client computers???

Are you saying"Surely" for my question? If yes, then you have used installer to create icon on the desktop. Can you point me on this matter, please?

Yes, I plan to place an icon on client desktop but I want it to be automatically created.

martyn

Sorry, i was thinking about the "Is there a way to write a PHP code that will install an icon and link onto a users computer from a web page?"

with the idea that PHP could create the shortcut manually some way (copying a predefined file??) and placing it on their desktop.

You can get their IP address, so it should be possible to physicly copy a file from a predefined dir to their desktop folder using PHP.

I know not how, more of a anyone else know how to do this?

scoppc

I doubt PHP can do this, well, at least I have no idea on how PHP could achieve this.
I have decided to create a shortcut myself 🙂 in each client's computer since the user will be ONLY 1 doctor and 1 receptionist.

Well, any idea on this will be great! 🙂

Weedpacket

Originally posted by martyn
You can get their IP address, so it should be possible to physicly copy a file from a predefined dir to their desktop folder using PHP.

Eeewww!!!
Next thing you know people will be sticking ads for porn sites and other spam on peoples' desktops!

superwormy

You'll have to look at Java, VBScript or JavaScript. PHP cannot do what you'd like it to do.

martyn

haha nope.

Eeewww!!!
Next thing you know people will be sticking ads for porn sites and other spam on peoples' desktops!

what i meant was that using PHP it is possible to create files on the server, correct?

So in theory if the server is hosted localy on a network then PHP (with the right permissions) could in theory make/cange/move files any PC on the network.

If it is windows then using batch files, or per compiled programs could do this, or am i full of bull today?

superwormy

Yes martyn, you're right, on a local network with the right permissions and filesharing setup, you might be able to get this to work...

BUT, you need more than just an IP address, you'd need to have the drives on those other computers shared ( possibly to the 'nobody' or 'apache' users ) you'd need the network names, permissions, etc.

And you wouldnt' really be changing things over the traditional PHP sense of HTTP, you'd be moving things locally ( only locally would be locally shared drives )

martyn

I was right 😃

Oh yeah, lets celebrate tonight com'on

Weedpacket

Assuming that we are talking about a human user with a suitable browser and platform, they could just drag the icon from the toolbar onto the desktop themselves...