USAGEUSAGE*
*Contents  *Index  *Topic Contents


*Previous Topic: TITLE
*Next Topic: CDF Extensions for Active Desktop Items

USAGE

<USAGE
 VALUE="Channel" | "Email" | "DesktopComponent" | "NONE" | "ScreenSaver" | "SoftwareUpdate" >

Indicates how an ITEM element should be used.

VALUE="Channel" | "Email" | "DesktopComponent" | "NONE" | "ScreenSaver" | "SoftwareUpdate"
Required. Specifies a special usage of the parent element.
"Channel" These items appear in the browser channel pane. This is the default behavior when no USAGE element appears under an ITEM.
"Email" This one item is e-mailed when the channel content is updated (one per CDF).
"NONE" If a "NONE" value is used as the only USAGE element in an ITEM, the item will not appear in the Channels Explorer Bar.
"DesktopComponent" These items are displayed in a frame located on the Active Desktop. A CDF with this usage value can only be used in the context of an Active Desktop item. An Active Channel would require a separate CDF file.
"ScreenSaver" This one item is displayed in the special Internet Explorer screen saver (one per CDF).
"SoftwareUpdate" This indicates the CDF file is being used for a Software Update channel, which allows software to be automatically updated over the Web. This value is only valid for the top-level channel. For more information on Software Update channels, see Creating Software Update Channels and the Open Software Description (OSD) documentation.

Number of allowed occurrences: Any number
Parent elements Child elements
ITEM None
SOFTPKG

For information on additional CDF elements supported for "DesktopComponent" usage, see CDF Extensions for Active Desktop Items.

For information on additional CDF elements supported for "SoftwareUpdate" usage, see CDF Extensions for Software Update Channels.

Some older implementations of CDF clients look for a SHOW attribute instead of the USAGE child element inside the ITEM element. An attribute of SHOW="string" in an ITEM element is functionally equivalent to adding a child element of <USAGE VALUE="string"></USAGE> to an ITEM element.

The end tag </USAGE> is required. The content of the element is optional and varies according to the VALUE attribute.

Example 

<ITEM HREF="http://www.foosports.com/screensaver.htm">
    <USAGE VALUE="ScreenSaver"></USAGE>
</ITEM>

Note "SmartScreen," a trademark of PointCast Inc., can be used in place of "ScreenSaver".

Up Top of Page
© 1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.