EOLAS : IE patch and new method for Flash ActiveX

[ironchefmoto]

I work for a new media company that does web content. I'm the budding Flash guru, but we also do advertising for some of our websites, and they learned about this before I did.

http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/activecontent/

Because Microsoft lost a patent dispute, they will require a user (after pushing this patch -- maybe not a mandatory patch) to "click" on an ActiveX control before being able to interact with it. Basically, you'll have to click one extra time to push buttons in a Flash interactive. Otherwise, it's just a visual presentation.

Microsoft has methods for avoiding this "extra click" by using a Javascript include for the OBJECT and EMBED tags. I know that our advertising guys are working with DoubleClick to implement the changes, but most of what they did anyway was Javascript-rendered Flash ads, so the "extra click" wasn't there to begin with.

Is anyone implementing their Flash work this way just yet? If so, can you post a code sample? Microsoft only covers the code for the OBJECT tag in their documentation, and I was curious if there was any tricks required for the EMBED tag as well for compatibility.

Thanks,
IronChefMorimoto

[beau]

I'm facing the same dilemma. Right now, if the code is written in-line, then the IE patch takes over. If you write it using javascript (even just using document.write statements) in theory it should behave same as normal.

But that's not what I'm seeing so far.

[CyanBlue]

But that's not what I'm seeing so far.
Um... Can you elaborate abit further???

[D-7]

BTW, I'd love to see a sample code of this too if anyone has used it yet.

Stupid M$ had to go and break everything of the internet didn't they. I hope someone hits Bill Gates in the face again with a pie.

[beau]

The initial statements were that, if you use javascript document.write to put the flash on the page, you shouldn't experience any of the problems associated with this update.

However, further examination shows that you have to do the doc.write from an external javascript file... so, to write the flash onto the page, you have to create a js file that calls the flash movie.

Our dev team is working on a solution, it looks like you can make changes to your server's settings, but whoa, that's way above my head.

The PROBLEM that occurs if you don't fix this crap, is that the user will have to click on a swf to "activate" it, and then they can interact with it - this includes just clicking on a button/link. Which means then that users now have to click on a swf twice just to click a link.

Also, it's got a new popup blocker in place that's stopping new windows, even when the user has clicked on a link (as opposed to blocking the usual popup ads that weren't initiated by the user). This seems to apply not only to flash but any javascript call. But I'm finding exceptions but not sure what the differences are.

I myself have NOT updated my IE yet, so I'm doing all of the testing on a laptop here that we've already run the update on. It's nasty. That's all I can say. I don't know if I want to blame Windows/Bill Gates, or do I want to blame a jackass who wants to patent the embedding of objects into a browser. I think I also heard about an idiot who's suing because he patented the embedding of A GIF FILE.

I'm sorry? Come again? So then, is there a patent out for the use of the word "email"? Or hyperlinks? Or the scrollbar? I mean seriously, this is insane. I love that somebody developed the process, but I just don't know how useful it is to make the company stop something that is now so widespread... the end result will be the total frustration of IE users everywhere.

But wait! you're thinking that Firefox is safe? The dude (Eaolas is the company) is leaving Firefox alone because they're open source, but I wouldn't bet money on it. IE is still the largest browser and the backlash on this is going to be huge... and I wouldn't be surprised if either Gates or Eolas DO end up going after Firefox as well.

But surely a judge will step in to stop the whole mess, right? I mean, suppose I patent the ability for a car to take a left turn. Okay, if I own the patent, can I then go after Ford and make them manufacture cars that can only turn right? Seems stupid.

Sorry for the rant.

[D-7]

So...is anyone using the JavaScript fix yet? I'd love to see a JavaScript generator to take care of this "little" problem

[ironchefmoto]

I guess my original question was more this -- do I have to use an EMBED tag for legacy browsers anymore? Or can I just use the external JS file that this new technique requires for OBJECT tags? I'm aware that the EMBED tag doesn't validate in XHTML, hence the issue with doing this JS include file for JUST the EMBED tag.

That's probably the biggest question I'm facing, plus changing out a crapload of interactive pieces on my various websites.

Thanks!

IronChefMorimoto

[beau]

As far as the javascript, it's going to be a pretty easy fix, all you need to do is write a function that takes the swf location, the dimensions, and all the properties, and then returns a string that can then be document.written. I think.

Our javascript gurus are working on it. I've seen the function, but half of it is jibberish to me.

[D-7]

Not that easy when you don't know JavaScript or even care to learn it :(

Someone needs to create a generator for this.

[billingsgate]

Also, from what I've seen, the JavaScript solution has its own drawbacks:

1) A border appears around the Flash object
2) When scrolling the web page, the Flash object has ghosting as it scrolls with the page.

Still needs some work, it seems. But I agree with D-7: I wish someone would create a generator for the current JavaScript fix. I don't know JavaScript and don't have the slightest interest in learning it. I also don't understand the OBJECT and EMBED code in the HTML which sets the Flash file there. I just use the code generated when I publish the Flash file. So if anyone has a template or generator for the JavaScript function, it would be highly welcomed.

[ironchefmoto]

Well -- those EMBED and OBJECT tags are for setting dimensions, background color, etc. for the Flash interactive you're putting on the page. They're pretty straightforward. They control the settings for some of the Flash features, such as the right-click context menu.

IronChefMorimoto

[beau]

Oh kids. If you know Actionscript, you pretty much know JavaScript, you knew it all the time, you just didn't know that you knew it.

Now click your heels together and say "there's no place like home, there's no place like home".

I'm working on a script. Trying to not totally rip off my company's scripts, you know, since it's weather.com, and they might take offense.

I'm just waiting until there's a definite solution that definitely works no matter what. Once I get that, then I'll write the script and share with the class.

[D-7]

I volenteer to do any PHP or AS programing to make the generator if need be.

[beau]

So far, from what I understand, there need to be two parts to this nastiness.

A file that sits on your server that'll actually do the swf assembling. And then you link to that file in your html page.

And then some in-line javascript that calls the function in that separate file. The external file then does the math, writes out the embeddery and objectorry and then, bob's yer uncle, the file is put on the page the way God intended.

But we're even having issues with THAT right now. Still waiting for a final "ah ha" before committing to anything.

by the way - nominated for the best signature ever:
for(i in J-Lo) Booty.push

[beau]

http://blog.deconcept.com/flashobject/

Somebody has already created a sleek simple solution, with very easy to understand explanation, even if you don't know javascript.

[Jinxter]

http://blog.deconcept.com/flashobject/

Somebody has already created a sleek simple solution, with very easy to understand explanation, even if you don't know javascript.

I used FlashObject to great success apart from one aspect: when I want to use the style tag. For example, I have an object tag defined as
<object style="LEFT: 0pt; POSITION: absolute; TOP: 0pt" ...

Currently FlashObject 1.3 doesn't support the style tag and therefore I am going to look at the source code of FlashObject and see if I can modify it. It's an important issue as people won't be able to use flash rollovers in their sites.

[beau]

Yes. Yes they can use rollovers and anything on the planet. You just have to create a javascript file that writes out your flash file for you. That's all. And I bet, NOW, that there's hundreds of them online for you to download and put up on your site.

So then, you just call the javascript file in your html file, and then, when you want to embed a flash file, just insert a 1-line javascript function, passing all the pertinent variables. (src, height, width, bgcolor, wmode, etc).

[deconcept]

Currently FlashObject 1.3 doesn't support the style tag and therefore I am going to look at the source code of FlashObject and see if I can modify it. It's an important issue as people won't be able to use flash rollovers in their sites.

Why would you want to put styles directly on the tag?

just use the id of your div and add style that way in your stylesheet.


div#flashcontent {
margin: 5px;
}

[briandunnington]

here is a solution that leaves the OBJECT and EMBED tags right in the HTML source and doesnt document.write them out:

http://geekycodestuff.blogspot.com/2006/05/removing-flash-border-in-ie-activex.html

give it a shot and let me know how it works for you all.

[tg]

adobe has release an update to both dw and cf that takes care of this for developers..... so i would imagine they have one for flash also, or will soon.

if you use dw, you can apply the patch, run dreamweaver and look at the code it produces.... and wa la, you done.

[veryverygut]

the flash in this site has resolved what you guys were talking about.

www.she.com

i guess what they did is using server-side script.

[Richro65]

I've tried briandunnington's method and it works for IE but not for Firefox or Opera. In those browsers the Flash content does not display at all. Apparently those browsers ignore anything within the noscript tags as mentioned in the article.

Looking for a fix for this problem.

Thanks

[beau]

You're going to have to create a standalone javasript file that will document.write the files to the page. The other solutions all seem dodgy.

I'll try to put something together today to post it for you. It's very simple if you know javascript. If you don't know it, it's not too difficult.

[Big-O]

Sorry for raising the dead.

Do the methods discussed in this thread apply the same if you have multiple flash objects on a single page? I've tried multiple methods to fix this problem but they only fix one of the three flash objects on my page, the others turn into blank white objects with (unuseable) scrollbars on the right?

[CyanBlue]

Howdy and Welcome... :)

Make sure that you are not using the same DIV ID over and over... Each DIV layer should have unique ID that SWF Object can reference...

[Big-O]

Howdy and Welcome... :)

Make sure that you are not using the same DIV ID over and over... Each DIV layer should have unique ID that SWF Object can reference...
Ok, that definitely makes sense. I'm not using div ID's but the objectID in the embed is the same for all three, could that be the problem?

Oh, and thanks for the welcome. I'm a VA native as well. :)

[CyanBlue]

Um... I am no expert in JS but I'd say object ID should be unique as well... and there is nothing you will lose if it is not... ;)

When I say DIV ID, I meant this line... That should be flashcontent1, flashcontent2, flashcontent3 and so on...
so.write("flashcontent1");