Major Problem with Netscape, Applets and readinf from files

[Bryan Wellander]

Colleen Simmons wrote:

> I posted a question asking how do I get Netscape to allow an applet to
> read from a file. A few solutions were presented, however they are
> security problems, or just not possible.
>
> The first solution was to have every person visiting my page go into
> their prefs.js file and add these two function calls:
> user_pref("signed.applets.local_classes_have_30_powers";true);
> user_pref("signed.applets.low_security_for_local_classes";true);
> This solution opens a security hole in the clients browser allowing ALL
> applets to read from whichever files they wish. Not only that but for
> most users to modify that file requires too work or computer expertise.
>
> The next solution is only slightly better. This one I found at:
> http://developer.netscape.com/docs/technotes/security/sectn3.html
> This solution allows me to modify the preferences as above, only using
> javascript. This is slightly better because it eliminates all users
> from adding the two above function calls, but it still poses the same
> security issues. Also in order for netscape to execute the javascript,
> the script itself must be signed, which my company should not have to
> pay for.
>
> The thrid and best solution is that every time a user goes to my page
> containing my applet that needs to read data from a file, I will display
> a message you cannot view this page in Netscape and offer them a link to
> download the latest version of IE.
>
> I am very dissappointed in Netscape to allow these problems to exist.
> There is absolutely no reason why applets reading from files should be
> so complicated.
>
> If anyone has any solution to this problem, besides the above mentioned,
> Please respond. I am posting this problem to a few newsgroups on this
> web site so please reply to all.
>
> Thank you very much,
> Colleen Simmons

Wrong