How can I "Pre-install" software?

[adric22]

I buy clamshell iBooks in bulk and typically resell them on ebay, craigslist, the like. One of the things I always do is upgrade the harddrive and load an operating system (usually 10.3) but I like to leave the operating system in a "fresh" state so that when they turn it on for the first time, they can setup their user account.

However, there are several pieces of software I'd like to pre-install on the machines such as Firefox or Camino, and some other useful software. I'd also like to put one of my little videos on the users' desktop. Trouble is, I don't think the folder even exists until they have created an account.

I'd also like to be able to update the systems with the latest apple updates.

I've wondered if I might be able to use target-disk mode on the firewire models, though I've never tried this.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[fryke]

There are solutions for creating preinstallation images. I was at an Apple course about it, but I guess the actual tools now slip my mind.

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Are you including full, retail versions of Mac OS X 10.3 with the computers when you sell them? Do you have separate licenses for each install of 10.3 that you include on the machines, and do you include the retail CDs/DVDs and boxes with each computer you sell?

I don't mean to be a party-pooper, but if you're using one CD to install 10.3 on all those machines and not including the original CD/DVD when you sell the computer, then that's a strict violation of the Mac OS X EULA.

Sorry, got my license-agreement-cop-hat on today.