MSIE maintains a 'Favourites Folder', what I call bookmarks. Most bookmarks listed in this folder will show the MSIE icon (i.e., the stylized blue e on a white background). Occassionally you may have noticed some sites manage to put their icon on your computer.

How is this done?

The easiest way is to put an icon file called 'favicon.ico' in the root directory of your web server. When a vistor to your site using MSIE clicks on 'Add to Favourites', MSIE will look for this file. If it finds it, the file is stored in the 'temporary internet files' area of your windows directory and stays there as long as you don't clear your cache. From then on the icon should appear on the 'fav. folder'.

Why does this matter?

1. If you have ever reviewed log files or server stats you may have noticed that a vistor requested the 'favicon.ico' file and got a 404 error message (i.e., couldn't find the file). It's an odd message. What this means, is that your visitor added your site to their 'fav. folder' and since you didn't have the 'favicon.ico' file it produced the 404 error msg. The error doesn't affect their browsing experience.
2. Since over 75% of browsers being used are MSIE, some feel it adds to the "branding" of the site to have their own icon. I'll let you decide on that one, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

Creating the icon?

I suggest you leave it to the graphic designers, but more info can be found at wdvl.com

So now you know, and I hope this helps,

James Piper, CA
Kitchener, Ontario