Currently working on a 4.1 upgrade. Would like to change the default Web Intelligence Modify viewer to HTML for all users and make it the default. I know that you can set certain preference defaults from the CMC by right clicking a user group but unfortunately SAP did not add all preferences there. 
Has anyone tried to make the viewer change globally and/or changed the default to be HTML?
breed 
(BOB member since 2007-11-14)
Reference SAP note 1659566. The note includes two JSPs that you drop into a folder under AdminTools and can then set preferences for a user (like Administrator), then copy to a group (like Everyone).
thesnow 
(BOB member since 2011-08-10)
That will apply settings to users, but will not make the settings default.
joepeters (BOB member since 2002-08-29)
Joe is right.
The good news :
we tried the script (and in parallel SAP Support tried it , though it comes from “their” KB ) and confirmed (on the dev server) that it works.
As Joe states: it “sets” the prefs for a group of users but does NOT create a DEFAULT of any kind.
SAP Support told me that in BI 4.1 you cannot define a “default” for webi preferences to be applied to all new users.
(we were looking for both Preferred Viewing Locale and WEBI viewing prefs)
The access to the WEBI interface prefs can be limited though using “Custom Access Levels” on webi, that is : using the rights.
That way, they will be “set” as a default (no choice) for users in your system, including new ones.
It will be group-based and is thus “automated”.
Taking away access to “applet viewing” will change any preferences (set to use it ) and (re)set them to “HTML view”.
SAP Support tells me that is “best practice”: take away the rights from people who do not NEED them.
Too bad that all standard webi training courses focus on the applet interface, because it’s more flexible for DESIGNING reports.
So everyone who got a formal training, is now used to the applet interface
… which has a Java dependency and needs user machines being “installed”
(equipped with JRE, in a version supported by BI and your other applications … )
instead of being a real “zero footprint, only browser needed” thing for viewers / refreshers.
RensH 
(BOB member since 2007-06-18)
Hi… I am having a really difficult time finding the 'Taking away access to"applet viewing" will change any preferences" in the CMC… can you point me in the right direction??? there doesn’t seem to be anything with applet viewing anywhere in the access levels…
lstrudeman (BOB member since 2009-04-09)
In the Access Levels, look for :
Application - Web Intelligence - Enable Rich Internet Interface
If you do NOT enable it, the user cannot use the “applet”
Analogy:
Application - Web Intelligence - Desktop Interface - Enable Web Intelligence Desktop gives a right to use what used to be “Web Intelligence Rich Client”
yes, you have to scan the rights to find those words “enable …” in the page.
( First filter on “Application - Web Intelligence” )
This still won’t change your preferences settings “from the CMC” as that cannot be done.
But SAP confirmed that
“taking away the right to use the applet / rich internet interface WILL set back the default for viewing to (effectively) HTML for all users concerned”
RensH (BOB member since 2007-06-18)