Convert a batch of HTML files into an executable application HTML pages are easy to create, with the right application. All you need is a web browser to view them. However, intranet pages aren’t very portable, because you need to ensure all the required elements are transported at the same time. It would be a whole lot easier if you could stick all the necessary elements for a standalone site into just one file. This would end the missing object syndrome. WebCompiler enables you to do just that and it's available as a 30 day trial.
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Level: Intermediate
What you'll learn:
Convert a local website into an executable application
What you'll need:
Windows
WebCompiler
 | You need to have a number of HTML pages on a local drive. Links need to include the current location of the relevant files, not their position on the intranet or on the web. This is most likely to be the case if you wrote the pages yourself or if you used a website copying application to move them to their current position. Simply saving a few related pages to your hard drive won’t do.
Once you launch WebCompiler, use its browser window to find the page that you want to use as the homepage. Now set up the compilation options, to include the destination of the EXE file and any restrictions on the content for copy protection. With your preferences selected, choose File, Compile and shortly afterwards the job is done. It’s a good idea to test run your new EXE file, because you may find an errant link to an external website or other problem. If you do, go back to the source files, correct it and compile it again. |
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| Compile Your Site
Sew a bunch of HTML files into a single executable. | |  1
Find the Files
Launch WebCompiler and choose File, Open. Browse to the HTML files that you’d like to compile and ensure that the page that you’d like to use as the homepage is displayed in the main window. |  2
Choose the Destination
Select Compiler Options from the File Menu. On the General tab, click Browse and go to the location for your EXE file. Enter a suitable filename and click Save. You can now set up other options. | |  3
Limit Functionality
Switch to the Functionality tab. Here you can disable features like printing and context menus to help to protect your content. Clear any boxes next to features that you want removed. |  4
Window Elements
On the Appearance tab, you can remove different parts of the furniture around each window. Clear the boxes to remove items or select Kiosk Mode on the left. This plays the results in full screen. | |  5
Compile the EXE file
Once you set up the Compilation options, click OK. Now choose File, Compile. The EXE file will be saved at your chosen location. Launch it to see the end result. Kiosk mode files appear without any Windows objects at all. | |
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