Javascript that Creates an Outlook Appointment - Browser Problem

[Chico777]

Hello fellows,

I was looking into a script embedded in a webpage that creates an Outlook appointment and opens it. I tested a sample appointment shared by Brian White (http://www.winscripter.com/WSH/MSOffice/90.aspx)and embedded it in a sample web page. But here are 2 problems:

1. The script works only in IE and not in any other browser.
2. IE issues a security message about an ActiveX control and asks if to enable it.

Do you have any idea how to make it work in all browsers and not to scare users with the ActiveX warning?

Thank you in advance!

[Dormilich]

Do you have any idea how to make it work in all browsers and not to scare users with the ActiveX warning?

1) you’ll never get it to work in other browsers (because ActiveX is IE-only)

2) script permissions must be set by the user, so there is no chance that you (or any script) could influence that (otherwise your computer could be cracked this way very easily (with ActiveX you can circumvent JavaScript’s execution sandbox))

[Chico777]

Hi Dormilich,

Thank you for your response!
Is there a way to generate the appointment in JS without using ActiveX so that other browsers will support it?

Thank you in advance!

[Dormilich]

no. other browsers adhere to the JavaScript sandbox, i.e. JavaScript is not allowed to do anything outside the browser.

besides that, why should a browser support communication with Outlook, most people don’t even have that application?

[Chico777]

Hi Dormilich,
Thank you for your response!
I don't mind exploring other scripting languages if they are supported in all browsers. Are you aware of any?
I'd like to use a standalone html page (without the need to install IIS, PHP engine, etc.). This page will have a button that will trigger the script and add an outlook appointment/meeting.

Thank you for the information in advance!

[Dormilich]

I don't mind exploring other scripting languages if they are supported in all browsers. Are you aware of any?

the only language that could possibly do that is Java, but that needs a plugin to be installed and there might be restrictions as in JavaScript as to what you can modify on the user’s computer. allowing an unknown script to do something with your computer bears an incredible security risk, after all*.

writing an outlook appointment may be harmless, but what’s the difference between that and installing a virus (despite the intention, of course)?


* - why do you think is IE that vulnerable against attacks? (answer: ActiveX and its deep interaction with the OS)

[Chico777]

Thank you for your explanation, Dormilich!