Part of creating a HTML5 Video player requires a fall back option for the likes of ie, so a flash player is the option. This is the design for the control panel on the flash player. The source and instructions for the flash player will follow on completion.

Having had some huge problems trying to get a cross platform CD to work correctly I decided to build a browser & platform detection function. Part 1 of the tutorial is all about detecting which platform you are on. Lets begin…

var playerVersion:String = System.capabilities.version;
var playerType:String = System.capabilities.playerType;
var myLength:Number = length(playerVersion);
var platform:String;

detectPlatform();

function detectPlatform():Void {

var i:Number = 0;

while (i <= myLength) {
i = i + 1;
temp = substring(playerVersion, i, 1);
if (temp eq " ") {

platform = substring(playerVersion, 1, i-1);
}
}
}

trace(platform);
trace(playerType);

If you run it now not much will happen but the trace should return the platform and the player type. Now that we have the details collected we can use the information to do platform and browser dependant actions. Add the code below and put the code in where the specific comments are and you should have a working example. You can remove or comment out the above traces.

if (platform =="MAC") {
//mac code here
if (playerType == "StandAlone") {
//playing in standalone

} else if (playerType == "PlugIn"){
//playing in browser

} else {
//playing in other
//This could be in a test swf
}

} else if (platform == "WIN") {
//PC code here
if (playerType == "StandAlone") {
//playing in standalone on PC

} else if (playerType == "PlugIn"){
//playing in browser other than IE

} else if (playerType == "ActiveX"){
//playing in IE

} else {
//playing in other
//e.g. Test SWF on a PC
}
}

So there you have it. Use it how you want. The next part of this will show you how to open files on each platform using FSCommand and applescript.

I built this code using the information and examples provided by http://www.taterboy.com/blog/2009/01/detecting-standalone-or-plugin-flash-players/ and http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/142/tn_14294.html so the credit is due to them.

Whoh! It’s week 10 of designing one piece a week, every week, all year. The more observant of you may have noticed that I didn’t do a design last week or the week before, which defeats the philosophy of the whole 52 Designs. Epic Fail? No! It’s not over yet though and there is no point giving up just because of a little hick-up… I just need to do 3 designs for week 10 to get back on track.

In the mean time you can join in or checkout what everyone else has done over on flickr.

Thursday saw another doodleplanet event down at Telfords Warehouse in Chester. Fantastic atmosphere as usual and fab drawings from everyone. The idea of doodle planet is to get creative, have a chill out and chat with other like-minded people over a pint or 3 (Well that’s how I take the event to be). I have posted my (better) pics onto Flickr. Head on over to check them out. There is also a group on facebook where I will be adding my images shortly.

I’m looking forward to the next event already.

Week 9 begins and that means we are over 15% through the 52 Designs. There are almost 50 designs in there already. I am still thrilled by the response from everyone and the fantastic designs that have been added to the group on flickr. Just make a design every week. It’s great for keeping your skills sharp, learning new techniques and trying new ideas and of course, most importantly, it’s fun.

The design pictured is my addition to week 8.

Week 8 Has begun so get your creative hat on and head on over http://www.flickr.com/groups/52designs/.

52 Designs is about creating a design a week (and hopefully every week) to keep skills from getting rusty, trying out new ideas, building a portfolio, just for fun or all of the above.

52 Designs is about creating a design a week and is now in week 7. Head over to  http://www.flickr.com/groups/52designs/ and get involved.

Week 6 of 52 Designs is here which means we are over 10% the way through the year! 52 Designs is about creating a design a week and now has 15 artists involved with and ever increasing number of designs.

You can create whatever design you want and what ever medium you choose. If you haven’t already done so then head on over to http://www.flickr.com/groups/52designs/ and check out the creative fun.

Week 5 of 52 designs has begun. If you don’t already know what it’s about here is a quick recap. 52 Designs is about creating a design, of some form (drawing, painting etc) every week of the year. That’s it!

So hows it going… Either head on over to Flickr and check out the group or see the what we have had for January.There have been some brilliant additions from some really great designers

Go on have a go yourself. Just submit an image to the pool on Flickr.

52 Designs is about designing something every week of the year. Here is a quick look at all the images from January for the 52 Designs pool on Flickr. Click on the images for a bigger/better view.

If you would like to join in then head over to the pool on Flickr. All image credits go to the original artists who you can find in said pool!