>- version of other libraries, especially STL (the STL that came with VC++ 6 was unusable because M$ shipped the ancient VC++ 5 version instead of getting an update from the vendor; many programmers downloaded the fixes that the vendor provided free of charge, or they used a newer version of the STL)

Stefan,

Thank you for the response. Are you referring to "ATL", as opposed to "STL"? I'm having trouble finding references to STL. Do you know offhand where I could look to download these newer fixes that you mention?

Thanks.

Jon