48617

econsultancy_xml

As Bobby van der Sluis at A List Apart <a href="http://www.alistapart.com/articles/flashembedcagematch">explains</a>, a simple implementation of the embed/object tags alone isn't perfect. Fortunately, the techniques of a solid embedding method can be found in <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/swfobject">SWFObject 2</a>, a JavaScript that is used to embed Flash content. As per the documentation, SWFObject 2: <ul> <li>Detects the Flash Player version a user has installed and determines whether to show Flash content or alternative content. </li> <li>Doesn't require vendor-specific markup. </li> <li>Implements standards and best practices. </li> <li>Can eliminate the "click-to-activate" requirements that some browsers (notably certain versions of Internet Explorer) have due to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eolas">Eolas</a> patent. Will replace the current official <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/download/detection_kit/">Adobe Flash Player Detection Kit</a> in a future version of Flash. </li> </ul> To get started with SWFObject 2: <ol><li><a href="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/downloads/list">Download</a> the code from Google Code. </li><li>Place the SWFObject 2 file in a directory that is accessible by your website's web pages. </li><li>Include the SWFObject 2 JavaScript file on the web pages that will use it. Example: <script type="text/javascript" src="swfobject.js"></script> </li><li>Decide whether to use the static publishing or dynamic publishing methods that SWFObject 2 offers. The <a href="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/wiki/documentation">documentation</a> details the advantages of both. Because I typically use SWFObject 2 to remove any Internet Explorer "click-to-activate" requirement and I know that the most of the visitors to my websites have JavaScript enabled, I tend to use the dynamic publishing method but your needs may make the static publishing method more appropriate. </li><li>Follow the instructions on the SWFObject 2 <a href="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/wiki/documentation">documentation page</a> to embed your Flash content in a web page using the method you've chosen. </li></ol> There's a <a href="http://www.gotoandlearn.com/player.php?id=77">nifty video tutorial</a> for SWFObject 2 at gotoAndLearn.com and if you run into any problems, there's <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/swfobject">a group</a> on Google Groups that may also be of help. Happy embedding!

<FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph>As Bobby van der Sluis at A List Apart <Link URL="http://www.alistapart.com/articles/flashembedcagematch" Window="Self">explains</Link>, a simple implementation of the embed/object tags alone isn't perfect.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Fortunately, the techniques of a solid embedding method can be found in <Link URL="http://groups.google.com/group/swfobject" Window="Self">SWFObject 2</Link>, a JavaScript that is used to embed Flash content.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>As per the documentation, SWFObject 2:<LineBreak /></Paragraph> <List Type="Disc"> <ListItem>Detects the Flash Player version a user has installed and determines whether to show Flash content or alternative content. </ListItem> <ListItem>Doesn't require vendor-specific markup. </ListItem> <ListItem>Implements standards and best practices. </ListItem> <ListItem>Can eliminate the "<Quote>click-to-activate</Quote>" requirements that some browsers (notably certain versions of Internet Explorer) have due to the <Link URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eolas" Window="Self">Eolas</Link> patent.<LineBreak />Will replace the current official <Link URL="http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/download/detection_kit/" Window="Self">Adobe Flash Player Detection Kit</Link> in a future version of Flash. </ListItem> </List> To get started with SWFObject 2:<LineBreak /><List Type="Numeric"><ListItem><Link URL="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/downloads/list" Window="Self">Download</Link> the code from Google Code.<LineBreak /><LineBreak /></ListItem><ListItem>Place the SWFObject 2 file in a directory that is accessible by your website's web pages.<LineBreak /><LineBreak /></ListItem><ListItem>Include the SWFObject 2 JavaScript file on the web pages that will use it. Example:<LineBreak /><LineBreak /><Quote><script type="text/javascript" src="swfobject.js"></script></Quote><LineBreak /><LineBreak /></ListItem><ListItem>Decide whether to use the static publishing or dynamic publishing methods that SWFObject 2 offers. The <Link URL="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/wiki/documentation" Window="Self">documentation</Link> details the advantages of both.<LineBreak /><LineBreak />Because I typically use SWFObject 2 to remove any Internet Explorer "<Quote>click-to-activate</Quote>" requirement and I know that the most of the visitors to my websites have JavaScript enabled, I tend to use the dynamic publishing method but your needs may make the static publishing method more appropriate.<LineBreak /><LineBreak /></ListItem><ListItem>Follow the instructions on the SWFObject 2 <Link URL="http://code.google.com/p/swfobject/wiki/documentation" Window="Self">documentation page</Link> to embed your Flash content in a web page using the method you've chosen.<LineBreak /></ListItem></List> There's a <Link URL="http://www.gotoandlearn.com/player.php?id=77" Window="Self">nifty video tutorial</Link> for SWFObject 2 at gotoAndLearn.com and if you run into any problems, there's <Link URL="http://groups.google.com/group/swfobject" Window="Self">a group</Link> on Google Groups that may also be of help.<LineBreak /><LineBreak />Happy embedding!</FormattedContent>

2008-07-06T02:23:00+01:00

econsultancy_xml

Embedding Flash content into a web page seems simple and in theory, it is. But if you're using embed/object tags alone to embed Flash content, potential issues lurk under the surface.

<FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Embedding Flash content into a web page seems simple and in theory, it is.</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>But if you're using embed/object tags alone to embed Flash content, potential issues lurk under the surface.</Paragraph> </FormattedContent>

false 2577

For best practice web design, see Econsultancy's <a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/effective-web-design-best-practice-guide">Effective Web Design Guide</a>.

365924

Embedding Flash content using SWFObject 2 false

2008-07-11T08:45:00+01:00

embedding-flash-content-using-swfobject-2

2009-04-30T05:02:21+01:00

2009-10-13T09:42:29+01:00

1044