Plug-ins Required - But we won't tell you
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.
Can you afford to lose customers?
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.
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.
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Contact: failurenotes (at) omegajunior.net.