Why is this plugin using Flash?

  • Why is this plugin using Flash?

    Using Flash is a really bad idea. iOS and most Android devices don’t even run Flash. It’s a dying technology anyway. Adobe themselves has even said they’re not continuing it for mobile.

    On desktop I run with Flash disabled in all browsers, so I get an error in the Admin.

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/foogallery/

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Plugin Author bradvin

    (@bradvin)

    Flash is used in the admin for copy-to-clipboard functionality. Flash is not used on the front-end at all. I realise and agree with you on it being a dying tech, but there are still some things you cannot do without it, and in this case, that is copying any text to the clipboard.

    I am going to try and build in a check for flash handle that gracefully

    Thread Starter thenightrider

    (@thenightrider)

    Sorry to be critical here, considering the nice work on lots of the other parts, but I recommend saving yourself some build time by just dumping the Flash bit completely. I’m sure it was thought to be a great time-saving idea, but aside from the suspicions the existence of Flash code raises, there’s really no need for it and it causes confusion. Everyone already knows how to copy and paste text. No Flash was or is ever required. A Flash function might save 100 milliseconds. It causes confusion because when anyone wants to grab text visible in the browser, they select and copy. When that doesn’t work and/or some unexpected error message pops up, it’s a nonstandard mis-feature, causes confusion, actually wastes time instead of saving it, and ends up helping no one. Cheers.

    If the copy-to-clipboard function is the only thing flash is doing, then I don’t see the big deal dumping it altogether. It might be a convenience for some number of users but it’s pretty much a no-brainer to copy the shortcode without using flash at all.

    I, too, personally find it more INconvenient to have this feature, since flash is disabled by default and I get those “outdated” messages popping up repeatedly. They are pretty annoying after a while. Maybe you can take a poll and see what the majority of users want.

    Otherwise, FG is a pretty awesome free gallery plugin.

    Plugin Author bradvin

    (@bradvin)

    Thanks for the input @kchayka and @thenightrider

    I actaully agree with you both and I will be removing the ZeroClipboard component from FooGallery in an upcoming release.

    It is becoming too much hassle to check for flash etc, so it is coming out completely. I would rather focus on more productive features in FooGallery ??

    Cool – thanks bradvin!

    Thread Starter thenightrider

    (@thenightrider)

    Excellent! Yes, Flash has *always* been a hassle, and Steve Jobs was right about it back in 2010: https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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