iFrames and FF

[Bogie]

I have a webpage that contains an iFrame that displays a flash presentation.

In IE it works fine but in FF it does not.

iFrame is set to 80% width and height.

Width is OK in FF but height is not (more like 20%).

Tried setting a pixel height instead but still does not work, so it must be an iFrame issue.

Any workarounds for iFrames in FF?

http://www.the-maltese-falcon.com/memory/Lucy-Vera-2007.jpg

[dbusguy]

There's usually alt text that you can put in the iframe for those that cannot receive/use iframes.
can you put a link in there?
I know, not your first choice :(

[Tim]

hmm. I'm going to doing this very thing in a couple days. I'll post back what I find. It has to work in FF.

[Bogie]

hmm. I'm going to doing this very thing in a couple days. I'll post back what I find. It has to work in FF.The code is in the Articulate presentation for all browsers, but the iframe seems to be the challenge.

Just PM'd you a test page. Works great in IE but, as you will see, not as good in FF.



http://www.the-maltese-falcon.com/memory/Lucy-Vera-2007.jpg

[Bogie]

There's usually alt text that you can put in the iframe for those that cannot receive/use iframes.
can you put a link in there?
I know, not your first choice :(Thanks dbusguy, but not an option .. it has to work.



http://www.the-maltese-falcon.com/memory/Lucy-Vera-2007.jpg

[dbusguy]

There's usually alt text that you can put in the iframe for those that cannot receive/use iframes.
can you put a link in there?
I know, not your first choice :(


Thanks dbusguy, but not an option .. it has to work.



http://www.the-maltese-falcon.com/memory/Lucy-Vera-2007.jpg

That's what I thought

[rob]

An iFrame is the only way Bogie?

If someone tried to sell me an iFrame on a site, I'd be a bit upset. But, I guess there could be valid reasons.

[Bogie]

An iFrame is the only way Bogie?
If someone tried to sell me an iFrame on a site, I'd be a bit upset. But, I guess there could be valid reasons.Had to place an Articulate presentation on a page between a header and footer ... and had to be the easiest way.

example: http://ken.mydigitalimages.ca (http://ken.mydigitalimages.ca/)
Then click on the Presentation box.

Not the prettiest site, but what the client wants is what the client gets.

[rob]

Looks like they're pulling videos from a common location.

Would a relative path and a javascript function get rid of the iframe?

[Bogie]

Looks like they're pulling videos from a common location.
Would a relative path and a javascript function get rid of the iframe?The main page videos, yes, from Google private link video. The iFrame works well - no reason to change that.

The challenge was with the Articulate Flash presentation. Had to use 3 horizontal frames for FF and an iFrame for IE. Couldn't find common ground for both - that is why the link in the top header for FF users with the default being the iFrame page for IE (99% + of users in this case). The header and footer on that page are created by a website auto replication system, calling info from a database, for the client distributors. Needed the fastest loading, lightest, and easiest way to handle it.

[rob]

Yeah, I donno man, I think that getting rid of the iframe will make it more compatable with FF & IE and might be the best solution to the problem. But I sure don't know everything about the page - only a quick look - you of course know better than I do.

[Bogie]

Yeah, I donno man, I think that getting rid of the iframe will make it more compatible with FF & IE and might be the best solution to the problem. But I sure don't know everything about the page - only a quick look - you of course know better than I do.It sure would but can't do in this case. Need to embed a web page that contains the flash based presentation. Not a simple as placing a predetermined size flash flv player.

Had posted this challenge to a few forums, TCM and dedicated tech forums, along with posting it on the Articulate forum, but I had to come up with my own solution.

If you have ideas - I'm open!

[Tim]

hmm. If it's just the flash you need, there has to be a way of simply writing your own object/embed tags and pulling the flash remotely.

This is the embed solution I'm using currently for everything it's brilliant.
http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/

or, a method I use on a couple other sites that use flash menus with image map alternatives, I use an html include, so that I can change one file and it propagates to the entire site. An html include is going to be way easier to deal with than iframes by a mile. If you have that ability on your server.

[rob]

Had posted this challenge to a few forums, TCM ... but I had to come up with my own solution. I looked for your post, but couldn't find it. If you post a link, I'll have a look.

My big question is why you HAVE to EMBED a webpage that contains the flash?

[Bogie]

I looked for your post, but couldn't find it. If you post a link, I'll have a look.
My big question is why you HAVE to EMBED a webpage that contains the flash?It is not simply a single SWF file ... take a look at what Articulate is (http://www.articulate.com/products/articulate-online.php) by viewing the online demo before thinking any harder about why. Very complex and proprietary, but extremely functional.

It uses Flash, is not simply a single Flash file, but a series of files and the code that runs it all. It is required to be a page all by itself, or as a pop-up new window, or as I have managed to present within an existing webpage using either frames or iFrame.

[rob]

There appear to be a lot of features of the Articulate software.

To look into this deeper, I'd likely try to figure out if Articulate supports invocation from a method other than iframes.

I would also ask questions to figure out exactly what features your customer needs from Articulate. Articulate seems to be a comprehensive service with a lot of features - many of which a single customer may not use and at $199 per month seems very expensive.

A lot of things can be done with the Flash Media Server.

[Bogie]

There appear to be a lot of features of the Articulate software.

To look into this deeper, I'd likely try to figure out if Articulate supports invocation from a method other than iframes.

I would also ask questions to figure out exactly what features your customer needs from Articulate. Articulate seems to be a comprehensive service with a lot of features - many of which a single customer may not use and at $199 per month seems very expensive.

A lot of things can be done with the Flash Media Server.

I don't use their hosting services and place all files on the domain in question. Lots of bandwidth required if heavily visited/viewed, but not as much as $199/month US.

Just paying $1000 US for the software was heavy enough for me!

Bit of a learning curve, but has many features, as you saw. I also use it in our own online elearning for the financial services and include the video.

The Articulate tech support and their forum couldn't help me out at all. Guess no one ever wanted to embed the presentation before. Usually it runs on it's own page or as a pop-up page (normal).

[rob]

I built a flash video site with streaming inline ads, (basic) content protection, and full statistics. I did this with the Flash Media Server.

I think that Articulate really does look like user friendly software. However, having to rely on iframes for remote invocation takes a lot of functionality away from the benefits of flash video.

Again without having the full picture, I'd use a Flash Media Server and drop Articulate.

[Bogie]

I built a flash video site with streaming inline ads, (basic) content protection, and full statistics. I did this with the Flash Media Server.

I think that Articulate really does look like user friendly software. However, having to rely on iframes for remote invocation takes a lot of functionality away from the benefits of flash video.

Again without having the full picture, I'd use a Flash Media Server and drop Articulate.Too many functions available with Articulate. Usually we use full window or pop-up window. Fairly easy to set-up as all you need is PowerPoint for the basics, a good audio recording software (Audacity does just fine), and video if required. It also has the ability for interactive tests, etc.

Also can take the same presentation and create an auto-launch CD ... click, click, done.

[rob]

I definatly see the pros of Articulate. I appreciate that you posted the link because I can certainly see me using it in some way in the future.

But it would take a very particular situation is all. I like to build sites to be independant and be easily packaged up for sale / backup / sustainability. Using a 3rd party service like this goes against that.

All I'm really saying here is that I think the solution to your problem is to use something other than Articulate.