Pop UP Cop Conflicts

pop up cop conflicts flash

[irishr8911]

I currently have a website that is flash driven. I have the site in fullscreen mode. Some of our clients have commented that when they reach the site it comes up a "black" screen. Our company creates CD ROM business cards and this has been an issue with the cards as well. Although, by holding down the ctrl key we have by passed POP UP COP. I have thought of redirecting to a "non" full mode screen page or is there another way to beat the POP UP COP dilemma? Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Patty

[edited by: oilman at 10:00 pm (utc) on Jan. 15, 2004]
[edit reason] no urls please [/edit]

[BillPosters]

The problem is that your popup is automatic (i.e. uses onload)

Be sure to offer a manual 'launch site' button/link on your default page which users with popup blockers can then click on to manually trigger the popup and launch the site.

Most (all?) popup blockers only prevent automatic popups (onload, onunload, ...), they being the variety most used by advertisers and most hated by users.

It's *always* a good idea to test your site with popup blockers switched on, or even better, with javascript completely disabled.
It will open your eyes to the gaps in your site's usability/accessibility where popup blockers and javascript disabled browsers (<15%) may be preventing users from accessing or experiencing your site as you would wish.

It's also worth offering some basic fall-back info and/or contact details for those who may not have the flash plugin installed or activated in their browser.

[edited by: BillPosters at 8:56 pm (utc) on Jan. 14, 2004]

[MarkHutch]

I get a blank screen on your site. I have a pop up blocked installed.

[limbo]

irishr8911

Welcome to Webmasterworld :)

I did'nt make it past your demo - I'm afraid (I hit alt F4 when I realised that was the only way to escape). I think I can speak for many here when I say you have touched on a bit of a web design misnoma (to put if politely) by introducing your site full screen and with a Flash intro.

Many users more than dislike having their browser hijacked by this script - it MUST be optional, and throughout the animation a user must be able to access your content or hit the back button if they wish. If you want users to view the page full screen you must tell them and give them a route out at ALL times.

By making your page operate this way you are alienating users and reducing the "stickyness" of your site.

If you have to have an animation splash page I would keep it simple and operate using cookies so users who have already viewed your animation will go straight to your home page.

You have come to the right place BTW - I would have a hunt about here - there is more info than you will ever need. The library sections for each forum have some gems.

Please do not take anything I said personally - When I discovered flash and 'funky' javascripts my pages went full throttle funtastic - but no-one took them seriously. To be taken seriously you need to avoid fads and keep to the key ingredient - good content!

Ta

Limbo

Also you should not use links in your posts, edit it, and read the TOS

[irishr8911]

Thank you very much for you help. In answer to some of the concerns raised here. I understand bringing someone into the flash intro without a means of escape- not good.. We can take care of that problem. The website mirrors our development on the business card cd rom's. Most of our clients do not have a problem accessing the site. However, recently we have had that situation. I guess the best solution would be to make it "user" friendly. Help me here if I am going in the wrong direction.
If we developed a index page that allowed the consumer to chose full screen or the browser window in view - that obiviously would be a nicer option. Of course, noting that POP UP COP is a problem with full screen operation would reduce alot of our headaches.
Also, is there a javascript (if statement) I could run that would detect if the Flash demo is functioning correctly and then redirect to another URL?
All your professional critique and help is greatly appreciated. This only makes our company's website more professional and easier to use.
I honestly do appreciate all your help. Our company is growing very quickly and obviously we are not experts at everything.
Thank you again
Patty

[BillPosters]

Flash detection without using javascript
www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/scriptfree_detection.htm

The article mentions v4, but the principle can be used to detect any version of flash by publishing in that version.