FAQ: Libraries
  
PSS ID Number: Q126732
Article last modified on 06-21-1995
 
3.00
 
WINDOWS
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
- Standard and Professional Editions of Microsoft Visual Basic for
  Windows, version 3.0
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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."
 
1. 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 <filename>.EXE
            Display results and download
 
       - Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
            Dial (206) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
            Download <filename>.EXE
 
       - Internet (anonymous FTP)
            ftp ftp.microsoft.com
            Change to the \softlib\mslfiles directory
            Get <filename>.EXE
 
2. 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
      17. 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.
 
3. 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.
 
4. 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.
 
5. 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.
 
6. 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.
 
7. 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 "3rd Party Product" 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.
 
8. 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.
 
9. 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.
 
Additional reference words: 3.00 FAQ
KBCategory:
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.
