Microsoft released the Internet Explorer Logo Program, which appeared last year, and whose principle is based on the Netscape logo program. It enables any Webmaster to insert a Microsoft logo like this in his or her Web site:
Best experienced with
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provided the Web site complies to several rules. The goal of this program is to promote Internet Explorer as the Web browser, and at the same time promote ActiveX technology.
Microsoft also provides a complete set of free tools to help people achieve IE Logo Program-compliant HTML pages.
Two types of Internet Explorer logo can be inserted in a Web page: a static logo and an animated one. The static logo indicates that the Web site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer because it uses some of its extra features (a bit like the Netscape logo, which indicates that the site uses Netscape-defined HTML features such as frames). The animated logo also indicates that the concerned Web site takes advantage of ActiveX technology and includes at least one ActiveX-compatible control.
Microsoft issued a series of guidelines concerning both logos, which everyone using the logo should follow:
In order to be able to use the static logo, a Web site should provide at least one of the following requirements:
Furthermore, the Web site must comply to the guidelines previously described.
In order to be able to use the animated logo, the Web site must comply to the static logo requirements. It must also use at least one ActiveX-compatible control on the Web site. Microsoft also encourages the use of ActiveX compatible scripts.
To participate in the Internet Explorer Logo Program, register your Web site by filling out the registration form at http://www.microsoft.com/powered/pbbo.htm. Also have a look at the Microsoft Logo Program's complete (and latest) description at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/logo/.
Microsoft reserves the right to revoke the permission to use the logo for whatever reason. It also reserves the right to alter the guidelines of this program. However, it will try to warn people so that they can change their Web pages in order to comply with any new requirements.