[Javascript] client side file i/o

[Vadi]

  Hello List!!

   I'm newbie, I'm trying to read a file from the local drive at client  
machine.
This is not allowed by default, but it allows us to do with signed applets,
loading a signed applet takes time, I was wondering If there is a way to
read local files without applets and without using ActiveXObjects, as I
want to make it platform dependent.

  I'm working with respect to netscape, IE is not considered. Help is  
required
immediate.

  Thanks in advance.

-- 

regards
Vadiraj C S