URL icon

[eunice]

please tell me if it is possible for me to insert an URL icon without users bookmark it first.

[TallTroll]

>> URL icon

Do you mean the little icon that replaces the IE "blue E" symbol in the Address bar?

If so, that is a "favicon". You can add one to your site by creating an icon file (NB it must be a proper icon, not just a bitmap renamed), call it favicon.ico and upload it to the root of your domain. I think it works for IE 5+

To create the icon files you will need a proper icon generator. I know there are a few free ones, and I've seen on-line ones too. IconForge is a free one (I think) which I've heard good things about, but one of the graphics gurus would be better qualified to provide links etc.

I know there have been threads about this topic, but I don't have them readily to hand. Anyone else help?

<aside>If someone can track the thread down, maybe it should go in the Library?</aside>

edit: 2 typos, added some text

[Marcia]

I don't think you'd be able to replace the icon in the site visitor's browser without them bookmarking. When someone bookmarks, it shows in logs as a reqaest for the favicon.ico

To do it without action on their part would take some kind of scripting, I'd imagine. I once had my Windows wallpaper replaced without my knowledge at a font site. I was told that it was a hostile Active-X, which I know nothing about. But I wan't very happy about it happening, I had a hard time getting rid of it.

[TallTroll]

Wouldn't adding

<LINK REL="SHORTCUT ICON" HREF="http://www.mydomain.com/favicon.ico">

to all your pages do it WITHOUT bookmarking?

[TallTroll]

Or just add a script that forces bookmarking (bit hostile, but it'd do the job - depends if you want repeat traffic or not :))