The autorun function is part
of the Windows operating system and has been designed to react in a given
way when a storage medium such as a CD ROM or DVD ROM is changed or inserted
into the drive. A good practical example of how this system works is offered
by autorun CDs containing a multi-media presentation. When such a CD is
inserted into the drive it will start automatically along with the player or
viewer needed to enjoy the presentation.
Why was the autorun function introduced?
There has been a huge increase in the use of digital multimedia
presentations over the past few years. CD business cards, product, business
and project presentations represent just a few of the applications for CDs
and DVDs that have been gathering pace. CDs and DVDs offer a large amount of
data storage potential and are inexpensive.
One of the most important things to bear in mind when creating a CD or DVD
presentation, however, is that the whole experience should be made as easy
as possible for the user, and that means not expecting he or she to have to
search the CD for the application or presentation file that needs starting.
Indeed, it is set against this background that "autorun" was introduced for
the Windows operating system. It makes it possible for the main application
to be started automatically when the CD is inserted into the drive without
the user having to do anything.
An autorun application must be able to
deliver the following:
-
After
inserting the CD into the drive, the CD user needs to see a response as
quickly as possible. This means that the start application should be small
so that it can load quickly.
-
The start
application should provide the user clear and precise information about the
CD.
-
The user
should be given the opportunity to abort the start application.
-
The start
application should also offer a user interface that provides details of what
is available on the CD or DVD.
The autorun solution: Using an
Autorun CD Menu Software
As you will have gathered from what you have already read, documents (files
and presentations) cannot be started reliably using the Autorun.inf file.
Not only that, it is all but impossible to meet the requirements of an
autorun application under normal conditions.
The solution is to use an autorun application such as CD Menu. This
application uses the autorun function to start a program with a graphic user
interface that provides the user with immediate information about the CD and
its contents. Not only that, buttons can be included that enable the user to
start presentations, documents and programs.
Recommended Autorun CD Menu
Software
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