Let's take a look at the script:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="VBScript">
<!--
Sub IeTimer1_Timer()
IeLabel1.Caption = time
end sub
-->
</SCRIPT>
<OBJECT ID="IeTimer1" WIDTH=39 HEIGHT=39
 CLASSID="CLSID:59CCB4A0-727D-11CF-AC36-00AA00A47DD2">
    <PARAM NAME="_ExtentX" VALUE="1005">
    <PARAM NAME="_ExtentY" VALUE="1005">
    <PARAM NAME="Interval" VALUE="1000">
</OBJECT>
<TABLE BORDER=2 BGCOLOR=PURPLE>
<OBJECT ID="IeLabel1" WIDTH=137 HEIGHT=39
 CLASSID="CLSID:99B42120-6EC7-11CF-A6C7-00AA00A47DD2">
    <PARAM NAME="_ExtentX" VALUE="3625">
    <PARAM NAME="_ExtentY" VALUE="1005">
    <PARAM NAME="Caption" VALUE="">
    <PARAM NAME="Angle" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="Alignment" VALUE="4">
    <PARAM NAME="Mode" VALUE="1">
    <PARAM NAME="FillStyle" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="FillStyle" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="ForeColor" VALUE="#000000">
    <PARAM NAME="BackColor" VALUE="#C0C0C0">
    <PARAM NAME="FontName" VALUE="Arial">
    <PARAM NAME="FontSize" VALUE="12">
    <PARAM NAME="FontItalic" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="FontBold" VALUE="1">
    <PARAM NAME="FontUnderline" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="FontStrikeout" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="TopPoints" VALUE="0">
    <PARAM NAME="BotPoints" VALUE="0">
</OBJECT>
</TABLE>

First look at the text above. The actual "script" is quite small. It's only three lines long.

What follows is two OBJECTS. See that above? The command <OBJECT> starts off each one.

To understand why, let's go back to 1991. That's when Microsoft began playing with this format they called OLE, Object Linking and Embedding. It was a way to create documents (spread-sheets mostly) that would allow many different working parts to all be stuck within the same domain. The parts would all do different things, and they would all work together. A good idea. Each part was referred to as an OBJECT. Each independent and each fully functioning.

The First Object Looks like this:

 

Notice each object has its own ID name and parameter settings. Just like Java, these little guys need to have their own defined space. The class ID denotes a specific thing that this object does. In this case, it sets up a timer. See the name, "IeTimer1?" It also tells Explorer that it may need more power. Some of you may have noticed that you were asked to "sign" little contracts when you tried to access this page. The reason is that this VBScript is one that is not fully recognized by Explorer until some extra little programs are installed. When you said OK to the download, the Explorer browser got the needed programming and installed it. It's a truly slick little system.

The Second Object Looks like this:

...with a whole lot of parameter names. This is the actual look of the clock face. Thus the name, "IeLabel1." Note that this Object is the one encased in the TABLE. Here you can change background color, change text color, change font type, font name, and add a caption if you want. Each of the parameters are fairly self-expanatory.

Feel free to change them around and add new colors and text styles. The Object will respond. Adding It To Your Page You can grab the entire VBScript from above. Just cut and paste. Just be sure to have it all: the script, and both objects. Without all three entities, this pup won't work. Also remember that if you will probably have to post the script to try it out. Certain entities are being called for. So post it before you look at it to see if it works. It probably won't run right off of the hard drive.

When Do I Use VBScript? When you are positive that your viewer will be using Explorer as their browser. If you're not sure - use Java Script.

Both script formats are supported by Explorer, but only Java Script is supported by Netscape. Keep in mind though, if your page is complete without the VBScript, go ahead and use it. Netscape is wonderful at ignoring commands it doesn't understand. For example, if you use the clock above, people using Explorer get the time. People using Netscape get nothing.

That's not bad if the clock is just a little added extra for the Explorer crowd. See what I mean? That puts the finishing touches on another Explorer tutorial. I use both Netscape and Explorer, and I like them both. To have a preference so strong that you refuse to use one or the other is beyond me. It's my opinion, if you're into HTML - learn it all.