Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : How to open a link in an external appl?


willebra
01-03-2003, 04:39 AM
If you link a file (e.g. <a href="....file.doc">...</a>) and the file-type is associated in end-user's windows and browser, the browser will open the file in a plugin within the browser.

If it's a doc-file, the browser will open it with a word-plugin (if installed). In intranet this is not desirable, as the preformance with a plugin is often worse than with a stand-alone application. Also, the working place is more limited as browser's interface takes up space.

Is there a way to direct the browser (and windows) to open the file in an external application (not as a plugin)? Can this be done in html or is e.g. javascript required? (Or, is this merely a matter of the end-users' browser and windows settings?) Any other solutions come into mind? As it's an intranet environment, solutions involving the end-user's settings could work too.

Adding a type-definition for the resource (e.g. type="application/msword") does not affect the issue.

I'd appreciate any comments or replies.

Zach Elfers
01-03-2003, 10:30 AM
I know that you can open files in AIM by typing <a href="aim:screenname">, but I am not sure about other things.