There's virtually nothing out there that deals with things on the level of
hWnd's or Win32 API calls. That sort of stuff is all undocumented and what I
know about it is what I've hacked. By the same token try to find any Office
app that exposes a hWnd property. When I need that, which I often do I first
try GetForeGroundWindow and from there move to more obscure coding,
especially when WordMail windows are involved.
For a beginner in Outlook programming I'd highly recommend Sue Mosher's
book. It's geared for beginners who know VBA/VBScript/VB and covers Outlook
VBA and forms, but not COM addins.
The only Outlook 2002 programming books I know of are Randy Byrne's Building
Applications with Microsoft Outlook 2002 from MS Press and Tom Rizzo's
Programming Outlook & Exchange, also from MS Press. I think Randy's is
better, but neither is a beginner Outlook book. My Wrox book is geared to
the professional level also, the Sams book was written for beginners but
marketed for professional level. I have reservations about that book, the
lead author wasn't really an Outlook programmer (although my chapters are
excellent g).
There will be a few Outlook 2007 programming books coming out, Randy is
doing one and so am I. Sue is also updating her book. I'm not sure about
Tom, I haven't spoken to him in a while.
I'd say start with Sue's book:
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx.
She's a great teacher and writes very clearly and her credentials are
impeccable. That I was her tech editor I don't think prejudices me very much
--
Ken Slovak
[MVP - Outlook]
http://www.slovaktech.com
Author: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options
http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm
"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Hi Ken,
Very many thanks. Easy when you know how!
I was pretty ashamed at having to ask such a basic question. But by way of
explanation, I'm more used to the Access, Word and Excel object models.
The
Outlook object model is a mystery. From where I'm coming from, it seemed
logical to look for an Application.Visible property or an Application.hWnd
property (to use an API call). It didn't occur to me that getting an
explorer on one folder within the application would reveal the whole
application.
I've read the wrong books on Outlook. I have several, but not, I regret to
say, by you.
I'm primarily an Access developer. Do you have any recommendations for an
Outlook reference I can dip into to find solutions, not a course book that
makes too many presuppositions about earlier knowledge? I'm not a serious
Outlook developer but I want a good grounding in Outlook programming
basics.
I'll do course work if it's engaging, not if it's dry as dust.
I see some of your older books are being sold at bargain prices on Amazon.
Given the above, would any of them fit the bill for an Office 2002
developer? Don't be bashful but an honest answer please! We retired nerds
are not rolling in it you know! I'm happy to invest in several. And a good
one for the future direction of Outlook.
Let me know if you can't answer for Newsgroup conduct reasons and perhaps
I
could try you at mvps?
Thanks again.
Regards
Geoff