Microsoft KB Archive/126732

FAQ: Libraries

PSS ID Number: Q126732 Article last modified on 06-21-1995

3.00

WINDOWS

This article covers some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about nontechnical issues for Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows. You can find this and other FAQ articles by querying on the keyword “FAQ.” You can find additional general references in the Microsoft Knowledge Base by searching on “article list.”

  Q. Where are the Visual Basic upgrades and other Microsoft posts? A. GO MSL. You can identify available updates by searching for the pointer article in the Knowledge Base (described elsewhere in this document). Search on the keyword UPD or SOFTLIB. To get the latest release of Visual Basic updated files, download the appropriate file. The updates are stored as self-extracting files (*.EXE). From the Microsoft Software Library (MSL) on the following services: - CompuServe GO MSL Search for .EXE Display results and download

- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) Dial (206) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL Download .EXE

- Internet (anonymous FTP) ftp ftp.microsoft.com Change to the \softlib\mslfiles directory Get .EXE   Q. Where should I post my upload in the MSBASIC libraries? Where can I find file XXX in the MSBASIC libraries? A. If your upload is a commercial or shareware product that is not free, it belongs in the “3rd-Party Product” section. Currently, this is LIB  After the MSBASIC libraries re-org, which will occur mid-Spring of 1995, there will be several 3rd-party product sections: one for general information, one for controls, and one for everything else.   Q. I uploaded a file named XXXXXXXX.YYY and it still hasn’t shown up in the libraries. What’s wrong? A. It generally takes at least two to five working days for Microsoft to virus check the file, and then for CompuServe to integrate it into the libraries. NOTE: CompuServe only allows filenames with a 6.3 extension, not an 8.3 extension. Therefore, your file XXXXXXXX.YYY will actually show up named XXXXXX.YYY.   Q. I uploaded a file named XXXXXX.YYY. Now somebody else has uploaded a file in the same section with the same name. Will you fix it? A. No, Microsoft do not enforce naming restrictions of any kind. Forum members must work out such conflicts between themselves. Before uploading a file, however, it is always wise to perform a search to make sure that there isn’t already another file in the library with the same name.   Q. I uploaded a file to the libraries and now it’s no longer valid/out- of-date. Would you please delete it? A. The owner of a given file is responsible for its deletion. You can delete a file using the DEL command when in the libraries.   Q. I uploaded a file named XXXXXX.XXX and want to let users know about it. Can I advertise/announce it across the sections? A. No, unsolicited advertising/announcements are not allowed. However, if a user asks, “How can I do X” and your application/control solves the problem, feel free to respond. But no unsolicited advertising is allowed (per CompuServe’s own rules). This policy has not been well enforced in the past, but will be in the future and unsolicited ads will be removed from the forum. </li>  Q. What is the policy for uploading files to the libraries? A. The first question of this document deals with the structure of the MSBASIC libraries and contains comments for their specific use. In addition, any uploads must comply with CompuServe’s policy on use of the forums. Type Go RULES for details. Finally, the MSBASIC SysOp is charged with enforcing the following conditions for uploads to the MSBASIC library sections: - If your commercial or shareware product is not free (it costs $$$ in any way), it belongs in a &quot;3rd Party Product&quot; section.

- Uploads of the same file across multiple sections is not allowed.

- To replace a file that exists already in the libraries, the new version must contain nontrivial changes. Uploading a file that has not changed is not permitted. </li>  Q. What constitutes a nontrivial change to an upload? A. Nontrivial is something more than changing a date on a file and less than a total rewrite. That is, a nontrivial change consists of an addition of a feature, the fixing of a bug, and the additions or corrections of information in the documentation. </li>  Q. I’ve spotted someone I think is abusing the libraries, what should I do? A. It’s best to post a private message to one of the Section Leads for the forum. You can find out who the current Section Leads are by viewing the forum notices. Often, an “offender” of library policy may not realize they are doing something wrong. We have found a polite request will usually bring compliance; however, we rely upon forum members as much as our own policy/efforts to spot problems and report them to us so we may correct them. When we receive a report or discover a possible violation of forum policy with the libraries, we will send private e-mail to the individual and work out a resolution that does not violate forum policy, but that also does not publicly embarrass a given individual. </li></ol>

Additional reference words: 3.00 FAQ KBCategory: KBSubcategory: ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.