[Nottingham] Firefox problem

[Jason Irwin]

On 22/01/13 21:04, Ron Wilton wrote:
> Shockwave Flash is installed but this does not work. Can anyone advise
> my on what I can do to get this site working, please?
Apologies for length, trying to cover all bases.

Adobe no longer support Flash on GNU/Linux unless you are running 
Chrome.  But I can't see that being an issue unless this maths package 
requires the latest and greatest version of Flash.  And even if it is, 
there is a fairly easy way around it (see end).

As Rory says, try out a few other Flash sites (e.g. www.armorgames.com, 
or www.youtube.com if you aren't on the HTML5 service).
If those sites work, the maths site is probably blocking all GNU/Linux. 
  Stupid.
	There is an add-on for FireFox called "User Agent Switcher", install that.
	Then go to the site and have "User Agent Switcher" claim to be FF on Win7.
	Does it work now?
	If it does, you can either remember to switch your agent back and 
forth, or try the workaround at the end.

If those sites didn't work, you need to sort Flash.
	To install Flash, run "sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer" from 
within a terminal.  The last version is 11.2.
	Or do it via Synaptic or whatever you find easiest.
	Then restart Firefox and it should all work.

If this still fail and you don't want to use the workaround below, 
install Chrome and try that.

Next, write a stern letter to your school asking them why they hate 
freedom.  :-)

How to by-pass OS-level blocks/Adobe no longer fully supporting Flash on 
GNU/Linux:
Note:This trick will also allow you to use various "Windows only" 
catch-up services, e.g. VirginMedia's
	Install WINE.
	Install PlayOnLinux (the version of WINE this bundles is a bit older).
	Download Firefox for windows.
	Install this using PLayOnLinux, when creating the container use the 
version of WINE you installed (probably 1.5).
	Note: You'll probably have to go through some initial set-up for 
PlayOnLinux, just accept defaults.
	Start that new Firefox instance and download Flash from Adobe's stie 
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
	Install that into the new FF under PlayOnLinux (if asked, remember to 
use the same container).
	When running this new FF, it will report itself as running on Windows.
	
	Optional:
	Set the homepage of that FF instance to the maths package.
	And create a launcher that will start that FF instance.
	Now your son has quick and easy access.

-- 
Jason Irwin