Print this article | E-mail this article | Comment on this article

Preview patch returns ActiveX to the way it was

By Scott M. Fulton, III, BetaNews

December 12, 2007, 2:50 PM

Over a decade after Microsoft used an idea for making binary programs work with one click from inside Web pages, the company is testing a patch that restores that functionality in the wake of a settlement with the idea's creator.

Last August, rather than prolong its ongoing IP infringement battle with rights holder Eolas Technologies over the embedding of binary functionality into Web pages, Microsoft agreed to settle that dispute. The settlement apparently consisted of a one-time payment, whose amount is still undisclosed, in exchange for a perpetual license for the notion that clicking on something in a Web page can trigger an embedded binary control.

This was the original basis of Microsoft's ActiveX technology, its first major attempt at making the Web its own. That attempt largely failed, and as a result, Internet Explorer today must provide some kind of opt-out warning that a Web page-driven event may trigger the execution of a binary program, such as an on-screen control.

Now, well in advance of its April milestone date, Microsoft released this morning a preview of a patch that removes that warning from Internet Explorer 6 and IE7, for both Windows XP and Windows Vista, for 32- and 64-bit editions, and for x86 and Itanium processors. BetaNews FileForum has posted links this morning to all 12 preview editions, so make certain you download the version that applies to you.

A Microsoft Knowledgebase document released this afternoon says the patch will only work on IE6 and IE7 versions with the latest security patches already installed.

Add a Comment (10 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

By mcbit

edited Dec 13, 2007 - 10:19 AM

I am not trying to defend MS, but what they tried years ago was an attempt to make a change in the technology. At that time, ActiveX allowed to implement functionality that was almost impossible to do otherwise. I remember using XML components on the web pages in IE which allowed me to update contents of individual controls without the need for a post-back for very large web forms.
Now, it is proven that ActiveX is not the best technology. Mostly, because of security issues around it. But, you should give MS a credit for trying. And, now they have to deal with the issue with all implications.
One of the biggest problems is the support for legacy applications. There are lots of companies that are still using 10-20 year old technologies. Some implementations rely upon ActiveX. And, they will try to avoid "fixing" their applications because the of the costs involved. Why fix it when it is not broken? Right?
I am curious to see if MS is going to drop ActiveX support in its future IE releases. Is the company going to introduce a new browser? With new technologies such as XAML and Silverlight that may become a reality.

Score: 0

By Mystiqq

posted Dec 13, 2007 - 10:10 AM

Over my dead body.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Dec 12, 2007 - 10:07 PM

Sign me up for Active X, i've NEVER been infected BTW!!!

Score: 0

By Scotch Moose

posted Dec 13, 2007 - 9:24 AM

So far as you know.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Dec 14, 2007 - 1:56 AM

Oh, give my intellect a bit more credit than that-- i know what's going on.

I've also never been mugged while living and traversing in some of the roughest neighborhoods in the US.

There's mass Security hysteria going on-- whether in government, computers, journalism.

Yes, some folks get computer hijacked & bodily mugged-- but hey, some of them you could outfit in body armor & what not before sending them into a mean area... and they'd still get whacked.

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Dec 12, 2007 - 6:21 PM

Yeah, the total security hole that is ActiveX returns in full force. M$ _still_ has no clue how build secure software, case in point.

Score: 0

By THZGryphon

posted Dec 12, 2007 - 7:51 PM

Yeah, you can't install any crapware with any other browser.

Score: 0

By ZenWarrior

edited Dec 12, 2007 - 4:13 PM

Have any problems manifested after installations by denizens here?

(No, I do not trust Microsoft products to work and not destroy as they supposedly repair/patch/upgrade/secure/enhance/etc.)