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Embed Flash content using SWFObject

SWFObject is an easy-to-use and standards-friendly method to embed Flash content, which utilizes one small JavaScript file.

SWFObject

What is SWFObject?

  1. Offers two optimized Flash Player embed methods; a markup based approach and a method that relies on JavaScript
  2. Offers a JavaScript API that aims to provide a complete tool set for embedding SWF files and retrieving Flash Player related information
  3. Utilizes only one small JavaScript file (10Kb / GZIPed: 3.9Kb)
  4. Is the successor of SWFObject 1.5, UFO and the Adobe Flash Player Detection Kit
  5. Intends to unify all existing Flash Player embed methods and provide a new standard for embedding Adobe Flash Player content

Why should you use SWFObject?

  1. Is more optimized and flexible than any other Flash Player embed method around
  2. Offers one solution for everybody: It shouldn’t matter if you are an HTML, Flash, or JavaScript developer, there should be something in it for everyone
  3. Breaks the cycle of being locked into vendor specific markup and promotes the use of web standards and alternative content
  4. Uses unobtrusive JavaScript and JavaScript best practices
  5. Is easy to use

Why does SWFObject use JavaScript?

    SWFObject 2 primarily uses JavaScript to overcome issues that cannot be solved by markup alone; it:

  1. Detects the Flash Player version and determines whether Flash content or alternative content should be shown, to avoid that outdated Flash plug-ins break Flash content
  2. Offers functionality to revert to alternative content in case of an outdated plug-in by means of a DOM manipulation (Note: if no Flash plug-in is installed the HTML object element automatically falls back to its nested alternative content)
  3. Offers the option to use Adobe Express Install to download the latest Flash Player
  4. Offers a JavaScript API to perform common Flash Player and Flash content related tasks

SWFObject related links

» Download SWFObject
» SWFObject API
» Documentation SWFObject

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