Many customers and ISVs are unsure of just how to exploit the frontier of the World Wide Web and the Internet¾whether to customize out-of-box server applications or start from scratch with custom implementations of everything above the Internet Protocol level. What language should be used¾Visual BasicÒ, C, C++, or JavaÔ. And what about the new scripting mechanisms? What about this ActiveXÔ Template Library? Where do COM and DCOM fit into this? And, most important, from the customer's point of view, what happens to the existing stable applications, both client/server and stand-alone that users are comfortable with? How can they take advantage of the improved functionality and efficiency of browser technology, without losing everything they have invested in desktop applications?
This paper describes a number of ways in which you can exploit the power of Internet and browser technology to give classic applications greater functionality and ease of use by placing them on a company intranet, or by making information available over the Internet to everyone. The choices described range from the simplest way to publish documents on the Web, to transforming a standard desktop application into a dynamically created, interactive application that takes advantage of a tremendous array of new technologies and techniques. Finally, we offer a recommended series of breakout sessions that will give you the information you need to tailor your applications for the Web.