I am trying to figure out how to update an activex control on a client workstation. The client goes to our webserver and I want to then check for the existence of our activex component "CompA" on the client system. If the component "CompA" does not exist, I want to install it. If the component "CompA" exists, I want to check the version to see if it is compatible with the current version necessary for the webserver. If it needs updating on the client, I want to install the current (latest) version from the webserver. Somewhere in all this I would like to be able to check that the user has enough rights on the client (not Guest or Limited) to do the update. I have been trying to figure this out for a bit, starting with javascript trying to access the installed activex and query a method that returns it's version, etc. The client workstations will be Win2000 or XP (or possibly Vista in the future). I don't have any control over whether the client workstations will have the .Net 2.0 SDK installed. Thanx, G gary holbrook

Microsoft really wants you to use their tools :-) Take a look at the EmpowerISV and Partner MAPS programs. For very little $$$ they will provide you with everything that you need to develop M$ centric apps. There are significant conditions/requirements to doing this, but they do assist you (sometimes too much) and want you to succeed. HTH, G

I still prefer Borland Delphi (Delphi 2006) for WinApps and such. If I am doing web apps or services, then it's C# and ASP.Net 2.0 for me at this time. I'll have to see if Borland catches up/passes them when their 2.0 version comes out. sigh...