Interesting thing about Muppet Central that can wreak havoc on people computers...

[frogboy4]

We'll look into it. Can't promise much.

We are not interested in making an intro/splash page so don't worry. Just citing an ugly solution to a simple problem - DL the darn plug in. LOL! It only takes a minute and won't harm your computer. Many new computers are coming with it installed.

Every site will have issues on some computers. Palisades' new site wreaks havoc on my folks' computer and their splash page is Flash. But it's a nice site so I decided to troubleshoot the issue on their computer myself.

Cookies etc actually cause more problems than they solve. Due to firewall issues and personal settings, that solution will not help the target user. It would alienate up to 30% of our current users -giving them unwarranted alert pop-ups.

We will look into Movies205's issue, but I am not interested in catering to those who won't download a simple plug in just as I won't cater to users who still have a browser from 1998. Nobody does that. Web designers that use Flash don't commonly do such nurse-maiding. The web is still a new and wonderful place without a solid standard and users have to be proactive if they want to keep up. Otherwise the technology will never advance. I don't always like it, but it's actually a good thing.

Web theorists have even stated that standards may not even settle in our lifetime. I'd hate to lose users, but we have gained so many through the new design. If you feel you can build a better mousetrap, by all means go for it. There aren't enough Muppet sites on the web for my taste. Be warned that it is an incredible amount of work, but well worth it.

Our site meets some pretty high standards and we are always looking to improve it, but catering to the fringe non-Flash group is not a top priority nor is it a priority with most web designers. We will look into it, but can't promise anything.

Old MC Design (thanx, Luke )

 

[anathema]

One of the machines I use appears to have pro-actively downloaded and installed the plugin on its own! I haven't worked out how it happened yet, but I regard this as a serious breach of my security. I trust Windows about as far as I could comfortably spit out a rat, and pretty much the first thing I do with any new installation is disable all the auto-updates, or at least force them to ask permission first. Not that I use Windows more than I have to...

Anyway, I think the point being made is that not all users will necessarily have Flash installed the first time they visit the site, and some kind of message to let them know that they might like to consider getting it wouldn't be totally out of place. Otherwise, they're left with blank areas on the screen - or worse, a completely blank screen, as happened to me the day the new-look site was launched, and you had the temporary 'intro' page up. My first reaction was to think that maybe the site was down for some serious maintenance or something!

The other point I'd like to add here is that while there's no good reason for a Windows user to be running a 1998 browser, not everyone uses Windows! Sometimes, there isn't quite the same choice of browsers available. Again, I'm not advocating that you cater to each and every individual case; that would be impossible. But at least a fallback message to alert the user that they won't be getting the full experience would be helpful. It's better than an alienated user, surely? I've seen plenty of sites which do just this with a little bit of text where the Flash anim should be to let the user know.

We're not talking about catering to those who won't install the plugin, but to those who maybe don't know about it yet. My folks, for example, wouldn't know what Flash was, much less where to find it.

 

[frogboy4]

But that actually malfuntions more often than it is helpful in my experience. There are just too many variables.

The blank page issue was resolved so it is a non-issue. It does not occur in the current design.

I see using an 1998 browser the same as not installing Flash. It's about keeping up with the technology. I have created a lot of incentive for doing so with some of the more interesting menus containing much loved fan elements. We will look into solutions, but I wouln't expect anything soon. There have barely been any complaints - and the ones I have heard are usually from the same anti-Flash camp. Can't do anything for them. We are now a Flash site. But I am always interested in looking for solutions when time permits.

 

[Movies205]

I think most people will download the plug-in except institutions such as highschools and such so it not relaly such a big deal...

 

[frogboy4]

Is non-shcool related browsing permitted? Is that why they have limited the options? Just wondering. That would make sense.

 

[Luke]

Originally posted by frogboy4
I have created a lot of incentive for doing so with some of the more interesting menus containing much loved fan elements.

This is the thing though Jamie - not all Muppet fans are young technonerds, there's plenty of inexperienced PC users who haven't changed their computers configuration since they bought it. If they don't have flash, and they don't know what it is, and they get presented with some grey popup box for a download chances are they are gonna be wary and say no - thus not seeing all the great stuff you've done with the site. So if you CAN find a more user friendly way of alerting them without causing errors for the other people then i don't think it'd be nursing people but providing a better surfing experience .... according to the stats 10% of users to this site don't have the plug in and this site has a pretty high hit rate. Not saying it's of major importance but it'd be great web ettiquete if there were some solution in the future.

 

[frogboy4]

The ways proposed would create more problems for current users and would not solve the issue with the main users who have Flash troubles - those who won't or can't install Flash because of settings and firewall issues. The idea you proposed is well known to have bugs in it for users that do have Flash. It is not a viable option. The only users who are having troubles that we have heard from and are pushing the argument are those who don't want to install Flash. That's the real issue as I see it. It's not about being up on technology, just down on b_ing. Movies had a legitimate concern, but the rest really aren't high priority. We will be searching for better solutions, but the ones proposed would really just cause more problems and actually claim that some with the plug in don't have it. It's a well known problem.

 

[sarah_yzma]

Originally posted by frogboy4
Is non-shcool related browsing permitted? Is that why they have limited the options? Just wondering. That would make sense.

if it's anything like our school as long as you aren't looking at porn it's all good...though people thought i was nuts for going to a MUPPETS site...gotta love the maturity level of jocks and cheerleaders


note: i have nothing against jocks and cheerleaders, some of them are nice as can be, just not at my school they aren't!

Sarah

 

[frogboy4]

LOL! I didn't much like that crowd either. Most people were scared of me in highshcool. I was kind of odd. Actually, I'm still rather odd.

 

[sarah_yzma]

Originally posted by frogboy4
Actually, I'm still rather odd.

haha! MC is kinda like the place where odd people gather who all think alike! i came here for muppets and what's weird is most muppet fans like the same stuff as me! i never saw so many animaniacs fans, for example......


Sarah