Updated: July 17, 1997
This page provides an overview of the changes and enhancements introduced in
the Microsoft ActiveX SDK for Internet Explorer 3.01.
Updated SDK sections
Updated redistributable components
What's new in samples
Where to go for help
Conferencing technology
ActiveX Conferencing technology is available in the Microsoft NetMeeting™ SDK 1.0a. This technology has been refreshed in this release of the ActiveX SDK, and is available as a self-extracting .exe in the \Bin directory (MSCNF10A.exe). You can also find this SDK at (http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/ 
). See the README.TXT file for more details.
CAB technology
A companion to the CabDevKit has been added to the SDK: the CabRscKit. This new file contains a collection of interface libraries and sample source code to assist in building CAB support into your application. The new file, CabRscKt.exe, can also be found in the \Bin directory of your SDK installation. Please see the README.TXT file for details.
Back to top
- The Intel bits have been refreshed to match Internet Explorer 3.01.
- New RISC redistributables have been created, and are available in beta for testing.
- The redistributables for Windows NT 4.0 have been localized into Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Japanese, and German (more will follow).
For more information, see the README.TXT and REDIST.TXT files after you download and install the SDK.
Back to top
Solitaire and Poker now use HTML and ActiveX controls. The SDK includes a new sample (called Card) that shows how Solitaire can be implemented via ActiveX controls on an HTML page.
The ObjVw sample answers ISVs' development questions by demonstrating how to access Internet Explorer's automation model and scripting model from within a contained control, how to enumerate controls and Java applets on a page, how to make a generic class to sink events, and so on.
You can learn more by reviewing README.TXT for the SDK, or by reading the README.TXT file provided for the samples.
Back to top
The Microsoft Technical Support group provides technical support resources for the SDK, including known bugs, a bug report form, and how-to articles at http://www.microsoft.com/support/products/developer/ActiveXSDK/ .
Another place to visit on the Web is http://www.microsoft.com/iesupport/content/issues/ . The Internet Explorer team tries to keep this site updated with all the known issues affecting the current release.
However, sooner or later there comes a how-to question. For those, you can try several places, depending on what fits your needs.
Paid support for the ActiveX SDK
The ActiveX SDK is supported by Microsoft Technical Support. You can ask questions through your Premier Level support contract. You can also ask questions through your Priority Level contract or purchase individual Priority Support incidents (essentially a one-time fee for one question). If you would like to understand more about Microsoft's paid support options, you can call Microsoft Support Sales at (800) 936-3500 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please note that technical support is not available through this number. Microsoft Technical Support is also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.microsoft.com/support/ .
Free support for the ActiveX SDK
Newsgroups are a great place for free peer support. As time and resources allow, Microsoft developers, program managers, support engineers, and test engineers visit the site to collect feedback and answer questions or correct misperceptions. They will lurk there often to read feedback, but they will not become actively involved unless a specific question is asked or a misperception is observed. This largely depends on bandwidth and time, which is greatly affected by shipping schedules. Some more interesting news groups for Internet Explorer are on microsoft.public.internetexplorer.
To access newsgroups, use your preferred newsgroup reader and enter the news server address as news://msnews.microsoft.com .
You can use the following URL to access the newsgroups directly from a Web browser: news:microsoft.public.newsgroup-name. The newsreader included with Internet Explorer version 3.0 supports multiple news servers; you can download the newsreader from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/ie3/imn.htm .
Mailing lists are another good form of free peer support. An advantage to being on a mailing list is that this is where Microsoft will make early announcements of information on a given topic. Again, it is peer support, and Microsoft staff will often lurk there, but not send mail unless a specific question is asked. To learn more about mailing lists, please see http://www.microsoft.com/workshop/essentials/mail.asp.
Additional support information
- Microsoft Technical Support provides you with easy access to the latest technical and support information for Microsoft products. You can access a variety of low- and no-cost Information Services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many of the Microsoft Technical Support information services reference the following technical content:
- Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Here you will find quick answers to the most common technical issues on using your favorite Microsoft product.
- Microsoft Software Library: The Microsoft Software Library contains hundreds of free software add-ons, bug fixes, peripheral drivers, software updates, and programming aids for easy downloading at your convenience.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base: The Microsoft Knowledge Base is the same database that Microsoft support engineers use to answer technical questions. It is a comprehensive collection of more than 70,000 detailed articles with technical information about Microsoft products, bug and fix lists, and answers to commonly asked technical questions.
- Internet services (World Wide Web and FTP sites): Customers access the Microsoft FAQ, Microsoft Software Library, and Microsoft Knowledge Base more than 850,000 times each week on our Internet sites. Additional information, such as resource kits, white papers, and the latest information about Microsoft products is also readily available. It's easy to search through these technical sources to find what you need. If you're an Internet user, you can access this no-charge information (connect charges may apply) at the following locations:
- The Microsoft Network (MSN) and other online services: You can access the 70,000-plus Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and the Microsoft Software Library files through MSN and other online services. Additional technical information and community services, such as the Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions, Member-to-Member Bulletin Board Services, and links to the World Wide Web, are available on MSN. To access Microsoft support services on MSN, choose "Go To Other Location" from the Edit menu and type "MSSUPPORT".
- Microsoft TechNet: Microsoft TechNet is the front-line resource for fast complete answers to technical questions on Microsoft desktop and systems products. From crucial data on client-server and workgroup computing, systems platforms, and database products, to the latest on support for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh-based applications, it's all on Microsoft TechNet. Microsoft TechNet is $299 annually for a single user license, or $699 annually for a single-server, unlimited-users license. To subscribe to Microsoft TechNet, call (800) 344-2121.
- Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN): The Microsoft Developer Network is the comprehensive source of programming information and toolkits for those who write applications for the Microsoft Windows, Windows 95, and Windows NT operating systems, or use Microsoft products for development purposes. Members with an MSDN annual subscription are kept up-to-date through regular deliveries of information, a newsletter, and other information sources. To subscribe to the Microsoft Developer Network, call (800) 759-5474.
For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/msdn/ .
- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL): The Microsoft Download Service contains sample programs, device drivers, patches, software updates, and programming aids. Direct modem access to MSDL is available by dialing (206) 936-6735. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Connect information: 1200, 2400, 9600, or 14400 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit.
- Microsoft FastTips: This automated service provides quick answers to your common technical questions via an automated toll-free telephone number, fax, or mail. To access FastTips or to receive a map and catalog, call the FastTips number listed for your product of interest:
- Desktop applications(800) 936-4100
- Personal Systems products(800) 936-4200
- Development tools(800) 936-4300
- Business Systems(800) 936-4400
- Per-Incident Electronic Service Requests: This service is available to Premier, Priority Comprehensive 35 and 75, and Priority Developer 35 customers. You can directly submit electronic service requests to Microsoft support engineers who receive the requests and work with you to resolve your technical problem. This capability also allows you to access Microsoft information databases so you can use the information to maintain and troubleshoot your Microsoft products independently.
Back to the ActiveX SDK home page
