ARCHIVED: For Mac OS, what is Internet Config, and where can I get it?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Designed by Australian programmers Peter N. Lewis and Quinn "The Eskimo!", Internet Config is a public domain utility for providing a single source of Internet preferences that any application can reference. With it, you can establish all of your Internet settings, including personal information, servers, file mapping, and helper applications, at one time, rather than having to enter them into every program you use. If more than one person uses the computer or if it is used in more than one location, you can also set up multiple Internet Config sets.

Most modern Mac OS Internet applications are Internet Config-aware, and some even require it. Not all are completely compatible, however, and many older programs don't use it at all. Popular applications that do use Internet Config include Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, NewsWatcher, Fetch, and Anarchie. Eudora provides limited support and recommends that you only write your settings to Internet Config and not read them.

In Mac OS 8.5, Apple integrated Internet Config into the operating system. If you have Mac OS 8.5 or higher, to set your Internet preferences, use the Internet control panel or system preference. If you are using Mac OS 8.5 through 9.x, you may still use the Internet Config application to set your preferences, but it is absolutely essential that you use version 2.0.2 or higher. Older versions will cause a number of difficulties, such as disabling Mac OS Help.

Internet Config is sometimes installed with Internet applications, including older versions of Netscape, and, for older versions of the operating system, Apple's Internet Connection Kit. It is also available from most Mac OS software archives. See ARCHIVED: For Mac OS X, where can I download freeware, shareware, commercial software, and software updates?

Again, if you have Mac OS 8.5 or higher, do not try to install a version of Internet Config prior to 2.0.2, even if it is part of a default install of an Internet application. If you are using Mac OS X, the Internet Config application has little effect outside the Classic environment.

For extensive Internet Config documentation, visit the IC User Documentation web site.