ActiveX question

[VectraMan]

I've got a DirectX application (but a 2D one) that runs with ActiveX on IE and NSAPI on everything else.

ActiveX is pretty simple COM; just find a sample and copy it. I thought VS2005 had a project template for an ATL Activex control, but I've looked and it just has one for MFC, which is a possibility if you can put up with bloated nastiness.

NS plugins also work in IE (I assume they still do), so that might be the better approach. All you get for using ActiveX is the automatic download and install and the code signing stuff, which is exactly what people distrust about it all. But both run native code, so both are free to have their wicked way with your files and computer if they so wish. MS just tried to introduce a bit of authentication into the scheme and everybody winged, even though it is in fact more secure than the alternative. (Actually Netscape had a similar scheme, but that's been long forgotten).

The question is: do you want any casual user to be able to visit a website and see whatever content it is, or is it just for specific users? If it's just for users that have installed your software, then your install can install your NSAPI based DLL in the appropriate browser directories and Bob's your auntie's lover.

 

[voodooflux]

NS plugins also work in IE (I assume they still do), so that might be the better approach.

Just reading around about NPAPI and it seems that M$ dropped support for it in IE6 I think?

Ah, found some more info here - seems it was dropped in IE5.5 SP2.

 

[VectraMan]

Just reading around about NPAPI and it seems that M$ dropped support for it in IE6 I think?

Ah, found some more info here - seems it was dropped in IE5.5 SP2.

I stand corrected. It's been a few years since I've looked at any of this.

In my application, both the ActiveX OCX and NSAPI DLL load an additional DLL that does the actual work. So the same code runs in both, but with a thin wrapper that interfaces with the browser.

 

[voodooflux]

I stand corrected. It's been a few years since I've looked at any of this.

In my application, both the ActiveX OCX and NSAPI DLL load an additional DLL that does the actual work. So the same code runs in both, but with a thin wrapper that interfaces with the browser.

Yeah, makes perfect sense - just use ActiveX and NPAPI as the delivery/interface mechanism.

 

[suityou01]

Just reading around about NPAPI and it seems that M$ dropped support for it in IE6 I think?

Ah, found some more info here - seems it was dropped in IE5.5 SP2.

There you go, knew you could do it.

 

[voodooflux]

There you go, knew you could do it.

You've woken me up now - it'll take me ages to regain the mental stupor I was in before!

 

[suityou01]

You've woken me up now - it'll take me ages to regain the mental stupor I was in before!

LOL

 

[NickFitz]

I've got a DirectX application (but a 2D one) that runs with ActiveX on IE and NSAPI on everything else.

Does it run on Mac and Linux? What about PowerPC Macs? Just curious

 

[VectraMan]

Does it run on Mac and Linux? What about PowerPC Macs? Just curious

It runs on Intel Macs, with Windows installed.

I guess it might run with Wine under Linux.

 

[d000hg]

Great discussion. I hadn't realised NPAPI was doing the same kind of job as ActiveX, not in such a similar fashion anyway.

The 3DVIA seems to claim it supports Macs. I guess they must have a mac and windows version of the actual "application" and the correct one is downloaded based on some runtime detection? At least I think I'd have to do it that way since our app is C++ based.

At this point, I'm not looking to do the work, simply find out what is possible. I think I know enough to tell my client they can try and sell the idea... the fear was he might do this anyway and leave me trying to figure it out afterwards