Error catching for non-Java browsers

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Clipstream™ Video works on browsers that have enabled some form of Java including the older Microsoft Java. Those that haven't installed Java or have chosen to disable Java can be served an error image and an instruction or hyperlink that will instruct them to install or enable Java. This is called error checking or non-Java messaging.

Example of non-Java messaging

A Java-enabled browser will be able to see this short video:

A non-Java enabled browser will instead see this:

By employing a graphic with an action message, there will be no formatting problems if the video does not display and the user is given instructions on how to make the video work. When the user clicks on the graphic, a hyperlink will open up a page with Clipstream's enabling Java page.

An alternative is to send them directly to Sun Microsystem's Java site to install the most recent Java. Installing Java is a two-step process for most browsers.

Employing non-Java messaging

To employ non-Java messaging like the example above, you need the following:

an existing Clipstream™ Video example
HTML or text editor
access to your web server
a graphic editor

Create a non-Java graphic image

Determine the height and width in pixels of the space your video would normally fill. Look at the applet
Open up your graphic editor (ex. Paint)
Create a graphic the same height and width as the video space.
Use the text tool to type out a message instructing the viewer to enable Java.
Save the graphic.

Upload and link the non-Java graphic

Using your FTP or web building program, upload the graphic you just created to the same location as your Clipstream™ Video files.
Open up the page with the existing Clipstream™ Video applet with your HTML or text editor.
Locate the applet source code (located between the <applet tags).
Make a new line between any of the existing <param lines param>(but not within any).
Write a simple <a href link enclosed around an <img src link. (How you would make a graphic a hyperlink).

ex.
<a href="http://www.clipstream.com/help/visitorhelp.shtml"><img src="http://www.videoclipstream.com/d/destiny/front_may05/error.gif" alt="You must enable Java to see this video"></a>
Make sure that the img src is the absolute location of the graphic you created and uploaded to your server.
Save the page and upload it.

Advanced

Occasionally some browsers and emails will strip out even the non-Java image. If you encounter this in testing, you may need to include a simple text message and link outside of the applet. This will then show up in all cases.