Problems with Flash and multiple-browser compatibility

Question

I'm having massive problems with Flash banner ads on my site...I have advertisers that want me to use them, but I've insisted that they provide a static .jpg or animated .gif version so that the site won't break when viewed on iPads and other browsers that don't tolerate Flash. Until now, I've been trying to place the static version behind the Flash .swf file using Z-positioning, but that causes problems as well. 

Is there a way that I can create code in Expression Web that will check browser compatibility and display the non-Flash elements on those browsers while displaying the bleeping Flash banners on compatible browsers?

Thanks!

Mark

Answer 1

Ask on Flash forums, or simply google.  Yes, you can test for the correct version of flash required, and display alternative content (a static image for example) if flash (of the correct version or above) is not installed.  This is not something EW writes for you, but you can certainly write such code.  Specifics depend on what code you are using now to display the flash.

Answer 2

Expression Web is not a WYSIWYG and you would need to use a flash fallback solution. There are many on the net that will allow you to use Flash for those that have it and HTML 5 for those that don't.

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Free Expression Web Tutorials
For an Expression Web forum with without the posting issues try expressionwebforum.com

Answer 3

Here are two possible solutions. There are lots more.

http://jquery.lukelutman.com/plugins/flash/

http://flarevideo.com (Check the docs page)

HTH

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Ian Haynes

EW - V4 Add-Ins
EW - Resources, hints and tips
EW - Design for the Mobile Web
expression(web.blog)

Answer 4

Animated gifs were supposed to be sooo old school but I see a lot more of them because they work on every platform. Even some of the bigger agencys are using a lot more of them for this reason. If you want to serve video I am aware of a player that is easy to use and will detect IOS or other non-flash devices and use HTML 5 then. Its called EVP (easy video player) but its not cheap. It is also easy to use if you want to use Amazon cloudfront to host the videos. There are many other work-arounds as Ian says. Your idea of leaning on animated gifs is reasonable.