Launching applications in jscript/vbscript

[xoggoth]

One thing one needs to do a lot in ed s/w is to be able to launch other applications like Word, Excel or Paint, usually with specific templates or images.

That's a problem from jscript/vbscript if you are trying to do something that will run on most computers due to security. In any case Paint does not seem to be com compatible which rules out some standard functions. It has to work on 98 as well as 2000/XP so that hosty scripty thingy is out and doing my own embedded activex looks a pain, or is it?

As these are HTML pages in a VB browser rather than online I could do it via the VB easily enough but would prefer to stick with code that will still work as downloadable modules where possible.

Any ideas not requiring umpteen days of dev? Much Ta.

[AtW]

xoggoth, why are you always trying to weasel your way outside of normal rules of development? JavaScript cant do things like that ON PURPOSE! Dont try to find a hole to avoid it, rethink what you doing instead and come up with better alternative.

My suggestion - describe what you want to achieve first, and then listen to suggestions which may or may not include the original decision of yours to try to use JavaScript to solve this problem.

We come with peace 0]

P.S. And stop your wetdreams of using ActiveX!

[DimPrawn]

Have you tried Linux?

Everyone tells me it's fantastic.

The problems you are having must be because you are using that Windoze rubbish from Satan Gates @ Micro$haft.

DP.

[AtW]

Re: Have you tried Linux?

Problems lie in social engineering space rather than in technical.

[DimPrawn]

On a more useful note

The only help I can offer is this Xog:

www.whirlywiryweb.com/q%2Flaunchinie.asp

A web page can't readily start an application on the client's computer: quite a few webmasters run into this problem.

This article presents the free LaunchinIE ActiveX Control that will enable HTML pages to start whatever application on the client's machine, without security warnings.
To ensure security, LaunchinIE needs to be carefully configured client-side; due to this restriction it's only fit for intranet use.

At last, web pages can start Word, Excel, or any other corporate application without complaints. Securely.


DP.

[reynolds]

re

You can't in theory launch applications from a web browser without a lot of client configuration. A shady area that's not worth it unless you've got a lot of time and patience.

[xoggoth]

Re: re

Ta for all comments.

Thinking about it I'm being a bit illogical in request as any possible way round the problem must involve the user installing and registering an ocx or dll on their machine or fannying around with their settings, so might just as well stick with VB exe and intercept navigation in the VB browser. Probably just have an alternative page giving instructions if they want to run it in IE.