[thelist] flash detection

[John Dowdell]

>>> [How can I detect Flash?]
>>
>> Why do "Flash detection"? Most consumers have it. It's usually
>> more important to do version detection... more people have an
>> older player than don't have any player at all.
>
> *coughdisableduserscough*
> Sorry, John, but that's one hell of an assumption. Not quite up
> there with the MS "Everyone asking for a PC without windows is
> a pirate", but getting there.


No, actually, it's not an assumption... it's measurable, and
frequently-discussed. More people have an older version of the Macromedia
Flash Player than have no Player at all. Once again:
<http://www.macromedia.com/software/player_census/flashplayer/version_penetr
ation.html>

Doing version detection handles both cases: those few who don't have any
Macromedia Flash Player, and the larger number who have an older version.

(How to do version detection? You could use the Deployment Kit, or
hand-roll a routine if you prefer... it's probably easier at this point to
just show the content with a link to resources, and optimized-for-text
representation if appropriate. Your call, though.)

I'm surprised by some of the subsequent responses... think through what I
actually said: doing detection for *a* Flash Player handles fewer cases
than checking for the capabilities you're using.

If there's some way that my actual logic is faulty then I'd appreciate
hearing how, thanks. Otherwise I'll assume it's just the full moon and late
hours talking here.... ;-)

jd






John Dowdell, Macromedia Tech Support, San Francisco CA US
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