how to make an interactive CD-ROM for windows using a Mac

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Level 3

525 points

how to make an interactive CD-ROM for windows using a Mac

Hello, I have a PowerBook and my school asked me to put some of the materials they have for the kids on a disk. They want something that will open automatically when the disk is inserted and the kids will be able to click on icons to open up text documents and .jpeg pictures. Nothing fancy, no flash movies or anything, just a bunch of stories in word documents and some picture stories as .jpeg files. The school only has windows computers.

I was looking at some of the windows stuff, and it seems that Visual Studio.net is the app that will do all the stuff I will need to make an Autorun.inf and Autorun.exe and all the other files.

My question is: what would be the simplest way to do this on a Mac? I have VPC on my Mac, but I was also looking at RealBasic (my school said they'd buy any software I needed), cause I'd prefer to show them that a Mac can do whatever a PC can do (for some reason, they are down on Apples in this part of the world).

What programs do you recommend?

Posted on Aug 20, 2005 8:28 PM

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Answer 1

pillguy

Level 4

1,339 points

Aug 20, 2005 8:36 PM in response to WK

I recommend Macromedia Flash.

It is great for this type of thing, interactive, and cross platform. You could use Flash to make all the buttons and links to files, create awindow to show the pictures in (with scroll buttons, etc). Lots of potential. I believe flash can make a projector file that will autorun when inserted. If not, can't Toast create a windows autorun?

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Answer 2

WK Author

Level 3

525 points

Aug 20, 2005 9:18 PM in response to pillguy

thanks ( +)

this is great because I JUST got Flash and was poking around with it: now I have a PROJECT to do. Keeps me focused.

Just tried the auto run function in Toast with a CD-RW, and it will automatically open the disk once it is inserted into a windows computer, but not open the file. I'll check MMF.

Cheers

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Answer 3

Wade Peeler

Level 6

10,906 points

Aug 20, 2005 10:02 PM in response to WK

An autorun.inf is just a text file. You can make one yourself. Here's one I use all the time when making installs:

<code>[autorun]
open=setup.exe</code>

Just put that into a file called autorun.inf, and Windows will launch the program "setup.exe" when you insert the CD.

Here's some more info

You might let your school know that most operating systems don't support autorun features, and Microsoft advises disabling it, because it is a security risk.

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Answer 4

WK Author

Level 3

525 points

Aug 21, 2005 12:42 AM in response to Wade Peeler

cool,( ++) I guess I'm going to have to build this on the school windows box then burn it on my mac (no burner on the school computer, and I can't run these autorun.inf-making programs on my Mac)

thanks

PS, my school IT guy didnt even know what Linux is, so I'm not too hip on trying to explain computer security in a second language. But thanks.

Edit:
Ok, got it now. I'm going to build a nice, colorful interface using Macomedia, and then put autorun.exe and an autorun.inf file in the root of the CD so it opens right up.

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