초록 ▼

Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased or downloaded free computer software calls an update service or a network service provider (e.g., an Internet provider) on a periodic basis. The update or netw

Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased or downloaded free computer software calls an update service or a network service provider (e.g., an Internet provider) on a periodic basis. The update or network service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software (e.g., a network browser) may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads with a secure software transfer process and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to an update or network service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update or network service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products which can be purchased electronically by a user and transferred immediately from the update or network service.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [15.] A computer-implemented method of creating an executable distribution file for installing software on a remote computer, the method comprising:selecting a grouping of software for installation at the remote computer; andcreating a distribution file by combining the select

[ What is claimed is:] [15.] A computer-implemented method of creating an executable distribution file for installing software on a remote computer, the method comprising:selecting a grouping of software for installation at the remote computer; andcreating a distribution file by combining the selected grouping of software, an installation utility operable for installing the selected grouping of software at the remote computer, and an extracting application operable for extracting the installation utility and the selected grouping of software from the distribution file and further operable for automatically executing the extracted installation utility on the remote computer to install the extracted grouping of software on the remote computer, wherein the extracting application is placed within the executable distribution file to automatically extract the installation utility and the selected grouping of software and invoke the installation utility to install the extracted grouping of software when the executable distribution file is executed, whereby the created distribution file is executable on the remote computer to install the grouping of software.