The mess of checking Flash version on web apps (Xero example)

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freitasm

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#91651 18-Oct-2011 11:49

Here is an example of how messed up things are. We all complain about Flash, from sometimes being resource angry, to having lots of vulnerabilities.

A lot of people also keep saying how great Google Chrome is. And Google Chrome comes with its own built-in Flash platform, something we can't update independently if a new Flash version is released.

Today when I went to the Xero login page it says "You do not have a current version of Flash installed. We highly recommend that you update to the latest version of Flash before using Xero." And since I am using latest and greatest Google Chrome, I have no way to update it.

This is another example of the mess created by having browsers incorporating third party platforms directly. Developers that want to make sure users have the benefits of the latest developments keep checking browser version ("hey you, stop using Internet Explorer 6") and platform versions ("hey you stop using this old Flash version" or "hey you, stop using the Java Runtime and upgrade it or risk being delivered something that will mess your computer).

The fastest browsers move to HTML5 and leave this behind the better. Also, Xero will need to update their code to make sure you are using the latest Chrome, not the latest Flash.

codyc1515

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#534664 18-Oct-2011 12:44

Couldn't agree more, the faster websites stop using flash the better.

itxtme

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#534680 18-Oct-2011 13:18

codyc1515: Couldn't agree more, the faster websites stop using flash the better.

To be fair it is a web application. They are not a new invention however they are rapidly taking off. Unfortunately there are minimum requirements to run it, as there are with any application. Clearly this application requires Flash with the latest version. One would hope the developer of the application uses the later features and hasnt just created it in the latest version "because"

robbyp

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#534701 18-Oct-2011 13:55

freitasm: Here is an example of how messed up things are. We all complain about Flash, from sometimes being resource angry, to having lots of vulnerabilities.

A lot of people also keep saying how great Google Chrome is. And Google Chrome comes with its own built-in Flash platform, something we can't update independently if a new Flash version is released.

Today when I went to the Xero login page it says "You do not have a current version of Flash installed. We highly recommend that you update to the latest version of Flash before using Xero." And since I am using latest and greatest Google Chrome, I have no way to update it.

This is another example of the mess created by having browsers incorporating third party platforms directly. Developers that want to make sure users have the benefits of the latest developments keep checking browser version ("hey you, stop using Internet Explorer 6") and platform versions ("hey you stop using this old Flash version" or "hey you, stop using the Java Runtime and upgrade it or risk being delivered something that will mess your computer).

The fastest browsers move to HTML5 and leave this behind the better. Also, Xero will need to update their code to make sure you are using the latest Chrome, not the latest Flash.

To be fair that is Xeros problem to sort out, and not a widespread problem with flash websites running on chrome. That is not a standard flash error page, it is a page checking script that xero have setup, so it is most likely a problem with their flash checking script. I hve never come across that sort of error in any other flash website I have viewed in chrome.

Chrome also still is not regarded as being a mainstream browser. For example you can't use Chrome for online banking with Rabobanks rabodirect system.

Ragnor

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#534733 18-Oct-2011 14:45

Yeah looks like a problem with Xero's detection code rather than anything else.