Flash site with flash plugin detection or not?

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Dec 2005

Hi guys.. ok here's the issue. My site is in flash.. I looked up those javascripts that'll detect if the user coming top my site has the Flash plugin.. if he does he will be automaticaly be sent to the flash site, and if he doesn't.. to the HTML version.

I've read that the aren't reliable... so what do you guys use? an option on the index page so the user can choose what version?

I was going to go with this method... but I also have my site in 2 languages... so the site map would be horrible IMO. In the index, it would be "English or Spanish... " after that... "flash or html"

isn't that just a bit too messy?

here's the site map

anyway.. if this is the way to go.. would it be a good idea to make and index with just the american flash and spanish flag... and them text or something for the flash/html choice?

using the javascript detection would take out one step.. making it easier... but I don't have experience with them and really don't know if the are trustworthy

Thanks guys

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

You could just use the flash as direct route but offer 'html version' for the non flash folks. The non flash folk would just get a 'install plugin' broken image thing.
nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't use flash.

The Webmistress's picture

She has: 5,586 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

I would say go with the four options on a splash page to give people all available options, as I have flash installed but generally I hate flash websites so would go for the html version most times.

Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....

dk01's picture

He has: 516 posts

Joined: Mar 2002

I would say have them redirect to the html version by default and then have a hidden flash object that loads if they have flash and redirects them to the flash version. This way if they don't have flash installed they are on the html version. If they go to the flash version and don't like it then just have a small link the allows them to switch back to html. My 2c Smiling

chrishirst's picture

He has: 379 posts

Joined: Apr 2005

Yep I agree with dk01, That also takes care of JS disabled UAs such as SE crawlers as well

He has: 29 posts

Joined: Jan 2006

i would say this a job for the A-Team.

p.s like ur sitemap:)

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