I've used the self-detecting version before to great success (www.networkphotographers.com) because I was forced to provide IE 4.5 support. I've also tried the MM detection script kit as well. (www.nancyhoney.com) Both seems to work fine.

I'm also trying out the MM UltraDev 4 and the scripts included in its behaviours palette. The Flash Plug-in detection script there seem to work OK, at least at this point of time in my current project development work. (Try UD 4, it's almost as good as F5, it only lacks PHP support :(:(:( )

Yes, there is something that's superior about the JavaScript detection scheme. I can include a tiny script in the actual page with Flash content that checks if the plug-in is available and if it is loads the page, else it loads the 'error' page. Now, that still has problems with Mac IE 4 & 4.5 (and Non JavaScript enabled browsers), but to be brutally honest, I don't want to cater for those anyway because that limits the design of the sites.

Yes, IE 5.0 for the Mac is a 5+ Mb download, BUT it is an improvement to the web world as a whole, so I would kindly request that anyone with IE 4 or 4.5 upgrade to 5.0 for a better web experience. (NO ! I'm not paid by M$ or delusional, just much more happy with a relatively well functioning browser than with a NON-functioning browser like 4.5)

I hope that clarified my point of view without 'ranting' on too much.

Regards,

Mats mats@imediatec.co.uk

-----Original Message----- From: owner@chinwag.com [mailto:owner@chinwag.com]On Behalf Of Gregg Caines Sent: 06 January 2001 17:13 To: flasher@chinwag.com Subject: Re: FLASH: Mac Flash detection: restart required?

I've been suggesting the self-detecting method for months, but I never hear other people suggesting it, or using it. Is there something about the JavaScript method that makes it superior?

Moock's JavaScript-based detection doesn't work on IE 4.5 and lower on a Mac. In fact, any JavaScript-based detection is impossible in those browsers. The only advantage to JavaScript detection that I've seen is that it doesn't require another page load, but the disadvantages are numerous. You've got users that have the plug-in and a browser that can view the site...but your detection scheme doesn't know it. You can either force all those users to upgrade their browser (thereby requiring a 5+MB plug-in called IE5) or you can change your detection method. If you're interested, e-mail me off-list, and I can send you all the info you'd need to make the switch to the dark-side. I think I've bored enough people with my rant already. >:)

(Also: if anyone has a good reason to use JavaScript, I'd be interested in hearing it. )

--------------------------------------------------- Gregg Caines n e o m e t r i x systems inc. http://www.neometrixsystems.com gcaines@neometrixsystems.com

> They arrived without the Flash plug-in and were sent to a page telling them > so, with a link to the Flash plug-in download page. (I'm using Colin Moock's > Flash detection script). > > Both users clicked the link, downloaded Flash, then returned to my site, > only to be redirected again again and again to the page telling them they > didn't have Flash.

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