Plug-ins common? Sure... so common they pose a security threat. Some people can’t turn them on - company policy. Others can’t use them: screen readers, WAP phone browsers. And every vendor publishes their own plug-in for their own file type. Yet somehow, some web authors fail to realize this, thus fail to provide a notification or a way to do the same without. Arrogant, ignorant, maybe both... at least commercially unwise.
Technically, it's easy to provide a message when your web site requires a plug-in. Authors can use HTML fall-back content, ranging from hyperlinks through descriptions to alternate media. If your developer tells you this cannot be done - train them, hire a better one. Hire me.
Luckily enough, YouTube recognises the need to inform their visitors about requiring Flash. Hopefully this will set a good example. However, since the people making the mistakes are the people who don't see that they do so, we doubt a difference can be made without decent instruction.
Who knows, maybe these Failure Notes will make a difference.
Can you afford to lose customers?
You can hire me for presentations, workshops, or scanning and reporting on your web pages.
Luckily enough, YouTube recognises the need to inform their visitors about requiring Flash. Hopefully this will set a good example. However, since the people making the mistakes are the people who don't see that they do so, we doubt a difference can be made without decent instruction.
Examples
The sites listed at the bottom have problems with plug-ins being required without indication. We've showcased only one thus far, but that will change. Plenty of web pages fail to note what plug-in is needed.Who knows, maybe these Failure Notes will make a difference.
Worried about your own website?
Describe your problem to “failurenotes at protonmail dot com”, to discuss how we can solve your website‘s issues.