On Load Activate Menu??

[webmaniacal]

Hello all...I have a .swf vertical navigational menu (code follows) that works great except on each page when a user wants to navigate they have to sort of click the navbar to activate it THEN then can navigate. This would be very un user friendly. Is there a way that I can add an onload activate or something that would make the navbar automatically be active for the visitor each time they visit a page? Thank you very much for any suggestions.

<object width=142 height=282 classid="clsid27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000" codebase="

http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab">

<param name=movie value="images/leftmenu.swf">
<param name=quality value=high>
<param name=loop value=1>
<param name=wmode value=transparent>
<embed src="images/leftmenu.swf" width=142 height=282 quality=high TYPE=application/x-shockwave-flash wmode=transparent pluginspage="

http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>

</object>
</div>

 

[traingamer]

What do you mean, 'sort of click'?

Do you have alternative navigation for those without flash?

Greg
"Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." - Winston Churchill

 

[webmaniacal]

When the visitor enters a page, if the mouse is hovered over the navigation menu you see a white box and sometimes there is a statement saying use spacebar or click to use this then the user has to click anywhere on the nav menu and THEN they can navigate correctly.

I wasn't aware that you needed flash player to see a .swf file like that...hmmm...what would you suggest as an alternative for people that can't see flash?? The program generates a html file with an embedded .swf but I assume that would create the same dilemma? Wow I'm glad I asked now. Thank you very much.

 

[trollacious]

I, for one, have Flash disabled in my browser because of all the cutesy stuff people create with it that gets in the way of accessing what I want on a site. You know, those entry pages with the spinning logos and pieces coming in from all directions to create the final picture. And don't forget those obnoxious ads that flash or do other things to get attention and distract a visitor from the content of the page.

That's not what I go to a website to see, and why quite a few people don't use Flash. I figure sites that are Flash only really don't want my business, so I spend my money elsewhere.

Lee

 

[traingamer]

Most people do have the flash plugin installed. Adobe claims 98-99%, but I suspect the actual number is somewhat lower.

In any case, some sort of simple nav bar on the bottom of the page would do the trick. Designers who rely on pure JavaScript navigation likely have an even greater need for alternative navigation, as a larger number of people browse with JavaScript disabled.

Greg
"Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." - Winston Churchill

 

[webmaniacal]

oh ok that's great cuz i do have a simple nav bar on the bottom of every page....I hear what Trollacious is saying about flash that is why I only created a nav bar not an entire flash site...Thank you for the info but now I still need to know if I can make the menu bar active without them clicking on it

 

[ChrisHunt]

Does this site have a URL? It would be easier to make suggestions if we can see what you already have.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[Foamcow]

It sounds like you are suffering from the problem caused by a recent change enforced on MS by a legal ruling.

The Flash ActiveX Control needs to be clicked to activate it, before it cane "used".

I recall hearing that there might be a few hacks to get around the problem, though I'm not sure how effective they would be in the long term.

Personally, I think you'd be better not to use Flash for your navigation.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web site design in Cheltenham and Gloucester
Earl & Thompson Marketing - Marketing Agency Services in Gloucestershire

 

[webmaniacal]

that is exactly what is happening...i researched it and you are right there are a few hacks out there but they do not work even tho one was supposed to work cross-browser. i have taken your advice and navigated away from flash lol. Thanks for responding