I'm Playing again....

[rhosk]

Here's a few examples utilizing hta (HTML Application). I ran across this because I was looking for a way to render Flash in a [browser] without all the menus and such. And without launching via passing JavaScript to the window. From what I understand so far, it executes mshta.exe and any computer that has >IE5 and a 32 bit OS. And in my opinion, it's best used for "client-side" only apps. The options here are endless. Take a look at these samples and be the judge. If there's anyone interested, I'll provide the full source code - most is easily found on the web (I mistakenly used the WinButton plug-in - oops). IMO, this would be a fine solution for numerous inquiries at this forum for making "trusted applications".

For starters, it can interact with dlls, other executables, and just plain ol' HTML if desired, but with a bit more control over customization....

Ah, I await further discussion

HTA Samples

[Worm]

Very cool, fun stuff! Keep pushing the envelope

[Stefan_M]

You can start here to learn about HTA:
http://www.vbwm.com/articles/2002/abarfield/hta01/


I made a Setup launch program with HTA including VB-Script.
We stopped it cause of several problems on the customer PC's.

Stefan_M

[rhosk]

What were the problems encountered? Those hta's in that app are not requiring any special DOM's on the user's system to perform. Yes, there are deep-end ways to launch specialized apps like database connections, for example, that you'd have to also provide the scripting dlls or modules with the app. But I'd say WinMe and above (unless their IE is very old - AMS is usually dependent on IE5 anyway) would suffice with these little things. You must have had some specialized scripts that not everyone had by default? Just guessing, I'm not claiming to be an expert. Curious as to the errors or operational hicups you heard.

To just manipulate the window, all you have to do is change any *.html to *.hta and you have the application. Then it's just a matter of changing the <hta:application> tags to your desires. This is what I'm talking, just basic routines (with maybe the exception of launching an exe; I think that was pretty neat, and unheard of in a browser )

[longedge]

Just got round to trying it out Ron. Great stuff - this looks worth further investigation. I'm going to have to give up sleeping - just too many interesting things need my attention

[Stefan_M]

The problem was the scripting language 'VB-Script'.
1. Some Antivirus-Software blocked the execution.
2. not installed or deactivated VB-Script.

I don't like hta because it works like an EXE file.
With HTA and VB-Script it is possible to delete all your data on your harddisk.
(simple virus)

Stefan_M

[rhosk]

Originally Posted by Stefan_M

I don't like hta because it works like an EXE file.
With HTA and VB-Script it is possible to delete all your data on your harddisk.
(simple virus)
Stefan_M

Uumm, so could AMS

I'm talking trusted applications here, not maliciousness.

[respectfully]IOW, I could make an app in AMS in 2 minutes that could do the very same thing - silently. If you think about it, what's the difference?[/respectfully]

[csd214]

Originally Posted by Stefan M

The problem was the scripting language 'VB-Script'.
1. Some Antivirus-Software blocked the execution.
2. not installed or deactivated VB-Script.

I don't think this is a objection to HTA. Yes, Norton Antivirus declared Malicious script detected when I ran rhosk's example. The same thing happens when your run the famous "Hello World" VB script. The user has to authorize the script (once). It is a long way from today's script checking to artificial intelligence. The user has to learn the real environment. Some users do not understand the difference between A:\ and C:\. They HAVE to learn!

rhosk, Keep on! I'm following you. (I have not knowledge enough to conclude at this point.)

[JimS]

That’s cool, I’ve never seen HTA before. Should note that I experienced the same Norton Antivirus response as csd214 did.

[Stefan_M]

Some Info about HTA from MS

MS-HTA description

Stefan_M

[rhosk]

Originally Posted by JimS

That’s cool, I’ve never seen HTA before. Should note that I experienced the same Norton Antivirus response as csd214 did.

JImS, etal, which function/button caused Norton to alert (Mcafee doesn't alert at all - could be a good thing or a bad thing)? Or was it the entire app?

The only one I can think of is the file execution script (notepad stuff). I don't believe that plain old hta is causing the alert.

[JimS]

Ron,
readfile.hta and exec.hta cause Norton to complain. All others OK.

[rhosk]

Ah, that's what I fingered, thanks!

Play with hta (without the WScript.Shell - most likely freaking Norton out / doesn't know "good" from "bad" I guess) and you'll be hooked. It does a few functions that AMS currently can't perform (I'm sure the dev guys are taking note ).

[Stefan_M]

Two samples with VB-Script

1. a simple editor
2. a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) builder

Stefan_M

[rhosk]

Originally Posted by Stefan_M

Two samples with VB-Script

1. a simple editor
2. a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) builder

Stefan_M

SHOWOFF!!