Who here validates?

[Dylan Marvin]

I'm just curious how many people do a work around to keep their sites w3c validated when using Flash. I've never bothered--but just realized I promised in a recent contract that I'd validate the entire site, and also promised Flash elements. DOPE! Guess I'll have to learn... but before I do I'm curious if it is a pain-in-the-rear or a simple thing to do. Also, is it as reliable on all browsers(than, say, the standard embed code Dreamweaver would write for you)? I wasn't completely happy with my search results for this.

Anyway, I guess this is a loose poll. Is validation important to you when incorporating Flash in a website?

[Flash Gordon]

Well we all know that flash doesn't produce validate html. however there are several work-around (although they really arent't worth it)
You basically have three option:
make validate html
use javascript
use php to get browser and display proper tags


For the first option, I started a thread call "Flash doesn't produce valid html" and tg gave me a great link to work around it. To me, it is a pain in the ass and not worth it.

http://actionscript.org/forums/showthread.php3?t=74901&highlight=produce+valid+html

The javascript thing was posted in a site check about 3 months ago. I'm not sure how it work but I think it work similar to the php. The "script" gets the browser and then according to browser it "echo"'s the correct format. If browser is equal to "bot" or "w3" don't echo the flash. It is a cheap work around and is just being dis honest.

http://actionscript.org/forums/showthread.php3?t=91371&page=2&highlight=valid+html

Whenever it do html, I always shoot for making it valid. I have had problems with my sever not displaying it properly if not vaild.

_________________________________________________

to answer your poll question: NO!

[Dylan Marvin]

...however there are several work-around (although they really arent't worth it)...

Thanks fg!!! I'll look those up! Unfortunately I gotta do it (and I agree, I've never bothered validating when using Flash--but I'm glad I'm forced to find the "best" way, for future reference). I've heard of a way that involves nothing more than HTML, and using a clever Flash loader calling up your interactive Flash content. I don't know that technique though. Does it sound familiar?

[fatking]

Hi,
there is a way that involves nothing more that HTML. It's known as Flash Satay and there's a very good tutorial over at alistapart.com (http://www.alistapart.com/articles/flashsatay/).

Hope that helps

[Dylan Marvin]

That's a great article. Funny, I found some of that very solution--up to the part where they use a loader. I MUST try the loader bit because I'm having trouble with a specific site, where everything plays fine except in IE (even thought the files are really tiny). Not sure if it's related to the satay fix, but I hope so!

EDITED: To say I just tried the loader bit, so my code is like that article now, but I'm still having issues with IE (at least on Mac). So, I'm guessing the problem I'm having is with my Flash files themselves... so off to "site check" I will go.

[tg]

yep, thats the same link i gave fg a while back..... but even that i think depends on the level of validation you want to supply.... i haven't looked at the artlicle in a while, but i don't think it will validate as 'strict', only transitional.

[D-7]

Does this method fix the new "IE Patch" where is blocks Flash?


EDIT:
YES

http://www.bobbyvandersluis.com/ufo/ doesn't get blocked by IE!

[Dylan Marvin]

I can't wait for IE to just fizzle out! That and comic sans.
I haven't seen that ufo thing before. I'll look into it. Althought the "satay" method seems to work fine for me so far, because there's no "hidden" invalidity disguised as validity or anything.

[D-7]

I think becuase it uses javascript in a seperate file to embed the flash, it validates correctly. Hence, it also fixes the IE "Patch" Problem. The problem for me is, the link to the tutorial is broken http://actionscript.org/forums/showpost.php3?p=424974&postcount=11

First link in that thread.

[Dylan Marvin]

Heck, I guess one could just use doument.write in an external js file to write invalid HTML as a workaround, but that's like laundering money, still lame.