Posted by Harlan Messinger on 10/26/06 14:31

SonomaProducts.com wrote:
> Product manager asking question for not-so web savy programmers.
>
> We created an Active-x plug-in, currently only ported to IE. It is
> deployed from xml, using some xmslt, xml wrappers and we have what
> looks like a desktop application running in a browser with an Active-X
> component providing a graphic display window for some 3D content and it
> takes script calls from the xml interface to do stuff.
>
> If users visit a web page where we have this custom content loaded but
> don't yet have the plug-in they see the app interface but the display
> window has the tiny box with an X, all as expected.
>
> We know that using an Objet tag with the class id and a codebase
> parameter with a url is supposed to provide a path for the browser to
> get the plug-in if it can't find it loaded locally.
>
> I havent seen this work for us yet but I've looked at enough samples
> out there to see that we do have it right.
>
> My questions:
> 1. Is it possible to interject a dialog with the user, pop up a custom
> message telling them what's the prob, etc.?
>
> 2. I actually want folks to register to get the plug-in (the whole evil
> corporation thing). Can the link be to a form? I know that's not good
> form but it's what daddy warbucks needs from me and I need the dunnage.
>
> Any pointers will be appreciated.

Any content, other than PARAM elements, that you stick inside an OBJECT
appears when the OBJECT can't be rendered.

<object ...>
<p>This page requires our Fantastic Stuff plug-in to function, but you
don't appear to have it installed. Please <a href="foo">buy and download
the plug-in</a> to continue.</p>
</object>

The CODEBASE attribute can't point to a form. The browser wouldn't have
any way to know that you intend for it to redirect the user to it rather
than downloading plug-in code from it.

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