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Subject: DNN doesn't interpret Question Mark Character of Embedded Flash File
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RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

24 Jun 2008 10:01 AM  

I have an interesting issue where i have to embed a Flash Object in my template.

Now i have always been able to get this to work but this time the embed source file requires a question mark at the end of the filename.swf file.
For example the following code located in my embed tag of
src="main_F7.swf?button=0" gets lost with the question mark and button=0 is added. This only happens when i embed the complete Flash ActiveX object inside my DNN ascx file. I'm also correctly scripting the embedded ActiveX object as shown from tutorials listed here in DNN Creative.

Its just that DNN ascx does not like my using the QUESTION MARK along with button=0. In other words using src="filename.swf?button=0".
Basically i'm just trying to pass a variable to the activeX object stating that the variable "button" needs to be set to 0.

In a plain html file, this works fine... but not inside DNN or DNN ascx file.

I've also tried to encode the url reference using src="main_F7.swf%3Fbutton=0" which does not work either.

I only run into a problem when trying to use the Question Mark inside DNN to reference the file.

Is the Question Mark a reserved Character in DNN?
How do i get this to work?
Any Suggestions?

jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

24 Jun 2008 6:48 PM  
No, the question mark isn't a reserved character.

The question mark begins the "query string" for the flash URL.

How are you embedding the file?

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
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RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

24 Jun 2008 10:15 PM  

Well here is the sample i'm working on for a friends website. He wants me to embed this in either his template or in the text/html editor. And neither is successful... What baffles me is i've done this over a hundred times and now all of a sudden there appears to be an issue with embedding this file.

Here is the full code. Which works if you place in inside a basic html file but once inside DNN... all bets are off. Unfortunatally i'm not able to post the full embed tags in this post but i can show you my params and movie and embed src file... perhaps you can fill in the rest and share with me what i'm doing wrong when placing this inside DNN. Again the issue is with the Question Mark which i must have in order for this dynamic flash movie to initiate correctly.

value="http://www.camalexinc.com/Portals/_default/Skins/FlashSite/main_F7.swf?button=0" />

/>'
src="http://www.camalexinc.com/Portals/_default/Skins/FlashSite/main_F7.swf?button=0" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" '
    + 'width="770" height="780" name="main_F7" align="middle"'


We are using DNN 4.8.2
Again you'll know if the Question Mark and button=0 is being interpreted if you see the dynamic text show up at the begining of the animation.
To see the differance try just pasting the url of


Inside an I.E. Browser and compare that look with a correctly definded embed tag inside DNN ascx file or text/html editor and you'll notice that either the flash movie will not play or you'll see missing dynamic text only on the opening animation because DNN is not interpreting the Question Mark and passing the button=0 to the flash object.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me on this.
Like i said in the begining, i've never had a problem embedding Flash inside DNN but trying to embed a flash object that needs a dynamic variable passed to it is causing me to loose a lot of sleep over this one.

RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

26 Jun 2008 9:37 PM  
Does anyone have any
Ideas?
Solutions?

Anyone? Anyone?

jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

26 Jun 2008 9:45 PM  
This, in a site that I help run, works just fine ...

< object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"
codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0"
width="600" height="450" id="jumble" align="middle">
< param name=movie value="http://mysite.com/DesktopModules/GameJumbleClassic/jumble_online_1.swf?dt=080626&xurl=http://mysite.com/DesktopModules/GameJumbleClassic/jumble_control.xml">
< param name=quality value=high >
< param name=bgcolor value=#ffffff >
< param name=wmode value=opaque >
<embed src="http://mysite.com/DesktopModules/GameJumbleClassic/jumble_online_1.swf?dt=080626&xurl=http://mysite.com/DesktopModules/GameJumbleClassic/jumble_control.xml"
quality=high bgcolor=#ffffff width="600" height="450" align="middle" wmode="opaque"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">
< /embed >
< /object > 

(I put some spaces in the tags so they won't be interpreted as tags in the message ... )

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
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RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

30 Jun 2008 11:44 PM  

Well i modified my code to match what you're doing and then i proceeded to place the code inside the TEXT/HTML DNN Editor and or a skin .ascx file just to see what would happen.

The flash object showed up but it is still not pulling in the Question Mark variable of button=0

here is what i did below..

< object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"
codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0"
width="770" height="780" id="jumble" align="middle">    
<  param name=movie value="http://www.camalexinc.com/DesktopModules/Flash/main_F7.swf?button=0"  >
<  param name=quality value=high >     
<  param name=bgcolor value=#ffffff >     
<  param name=wmode value=opaque >     
<  embed src="http://www.camalexinc.com/DesktopModules/Flash/main_F7.swf?button=0"  quality=high bgcolor=#ffffff  width="770" height="780" align="middle" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"  >
<  / embed  >
<  / object  >

As a test Is anyone able to get this code to work inside there DNN web site?

(I also put some spaces in the tags so they won't be interpreted as tags in the message ...when you test it, remove the spaces )

I just want to know if someone can see this fully work with the dynamic content being pulled in correctly.
Also i want to thank everyone who have posted their suggestions on this post. I invite everyone who can to offer a suggestion.
I'm finging it hard to believe i'm having this much trouble of getting a Question Markec url variable passed to a flash object.

RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

01 Jul 2008 3:04 PM  

unfortunately,
I’m still not able to get this to work....
The dynamic flash object shows up but DNN is not allowing the Question Mark and variable to pass.

I even tried converting the code to a JS script format and still No joy.(meaning it didn't work) The dynamic text and images are not loading.

Anyone offer additional suggestions?

This is beginning to seem like a hopeless.
As a last resort, because I know this will work in an HTML file, I may also try placing the embed tag inside a traditional html file, and then call it into DNN via IFRAME? But this too may create other unforeseen complications.

Help?

jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

01 Jul 2008 5:17 PM  
Try taking a look at the page source to see what is actually being served.

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
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RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

02 Jul 2008 1:49 AM  

Thanks jncraig for all your replies, suggestions and tips as i am trying just about anything right now.
I really appreciate your feedback.
Question: If you remove the spaces in the code sample i provided, are you able see a
Full Dynamic Flash file such as this one?

Also after taking your suggestion into consideration, and after viewing the source
its very interesting that ?button=0 is correctly displayed as
http://www.camalexinc.com/DesktopModules/Flash/main_F7.swf?button=0
However DNN still prevents the passing of the button=0 variable when called
from the TEXT/HTML editor or from inside a DNN ASCX skin.

I tried a real dirty work-a-round though....
Now here is whats really ODD... if I embed the Dynamic Flash inside a traditional HTML file,
place it somewhere on the server and then proceed to call that file inside a DNN IFRAME Module,
The Dynamic Flash WORKS! TAKE A LOOK http://www.camalexinc.com/services.aspx

BUT WHY?...

While This IFRAME approach is an UNDESIRABLE work-a-round
(only becaus i forsee linking issues arise that commonly arise with IFRAMES),
It proves my theory that DNN Just refuses to acknowledge some
Dynamic Flash movies with variables passed to them with
questionmarks such as "main_F7?button=0" inside the URL.

I'm just curious if there is something i'm missing here...
because DNN should allow passing of variable via URL whether placed
inside an ASCX file or TEXT/HTML file.

I think this is a bug inside DNN and i'm afraid no one else has really run
into this problem i'm trying to explain.
I'm almost willing to say that the majority of Dynamic Flash files built in this fasion will not
work inside DNN unless you really trick up the url with additional
additives to really trick DNN into passing certain variables.

If there is anything else i may be missing here please continue
to offer suggestions or other approaches.


Thanks

jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

02 Jul 2008 8:15 PM  
If the page source code is shown "correctly" then DNN isn't doing anything or preventing anything. It would help to see the entire chunk of code that embeds the flash file in your page. That would tell what really is happening.

Don't blame DotNetNuke. There's something else gumming the works.

Do you have URLs that you can give us -- one that works and one that doesn't work?

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
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jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

02 Jul 2008 8:29 PM  
Please take a look at: http://jncraig.com/test/test/tabid/277/Default.aspx

I copied your code from the previous message, and only changed the blanks after the < to make the tags correct.

It dawns on me that you may be pasting the code into a Text/HTML module as the not in source mode. Open the Text/HTML module, select the Basic Text Box as editor, not the Rich Text Editor. Then, select the radio button for Raw mode, and paste the code in that way.

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
Subscribe to the website
RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

05 Jul 2008 2:37 PM  
Yes i am aware of the trick with pasting in code using the source button in the TEXT/HTML editor.
In fact, i've written a couple of video tutorials on it myself and distribute them to my clients.

But here is the catch...

Carefully compare what you are seeing.

Notice that at your link of http://jncraig.com/test/test/tabid/277/Default.aspx
Take a careful look at the Logo that flies in. and Notice how the dynamic pictures are missing

Ok...
Now take a look at the FLASH version i've created where i'm using an IFRAME at the following link.
http://www.camalexinc.com/services.aspx (scroll to the bottom)
Look at the logo fly in. Look at the text that says "Moving Forward Together" Look at the Images.
These are Flash Dynamics that are initated with the "?button=0" but when you introduce this into DNN via "Source"
or embed into the aspx template, DNN cannot correctly interpret the variables being passed.

I thank you for taking the time to review my posts. I'm only saying that DNN appears to have issues
of permitting variables being passed that involve a QuestionMark followed by a variable setting in the URL
an DNN should be able of handling this.

Again compare the 2 links
Yours (which i can get to work the same way... but notice missing images and text near the logo)
http://jncraig.com/test/test/tabid/277/Default.aspx

Compare with IFRAME Work-A-Round the IFRAME approach (Which shouldn't have to be a last resort)
http://www.camalexinc.com/services.aspx Notice how DNN now permits FLASH Dynamics to be initiated.
Do you see the dynamic images and the Dynamic text "Moving Forward Together"

Are you able to see the differences between the two?
Basically i'm trying to accomplish sucessful passing of Dynamic Flash through embedding into DNN
and not having to use an IFRAME. But issue is that this seems to be the only way to resolve this.
DNN does not appear to support proper embedding of Dyanamic Flash Object. Only through IFRAME.
jncraig
DNN Creative Staff
Nuke Master II
Nuke Master II
Posts:2167

05 Jul 2008 4:22 PM  
As I've said before, you need to look at the page source code to figure out what his happening.

Since DotNetNuke is just generating HTML, you need to look at the the page to see what is happening. DotNetNuke isn't interpreting anything or doing anything. But, there may be HTML constructs wrapped around your object, or styles that might interfere with it.

Joe Craig
DNN Creative Support
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RegGFX
Nuker
Nuker
Posts:17

06 Jul 2008 9:43 PM  
Yes i have reviewed the page source as before... as an experienced designer,
that is one of my first troubleshooting steps i always take.

This is perhaps one of those "AREA 51" bugs that just can't be explained i guess.

My client has decided not to use DNN Content Management System and go with just a plain jane hosting
services and use traditional old fashined HTML/FRONTPAGE to design his site and go with the premade
DYNAMIC FLASH template. He too was seeing what i was seeing
and decided that DNN was not for him at this time. He thought that DNN was perhaps too high-end for
website design.

I told my client that actually CMS website design is the way to go. I've designed about 20 DNN websites and
this was the 1st time i've come accross a Dynamic Flash embedding acting this way.
We could get Flash to work but not a True Dynamic Flash site to work in DNN.

Anyways... that is the latest scoop.

Thanks jncraig for all your feedback, suggestions and patience.
But i'll have to revisit this issue again someday.

I feel like i'm the only one whom has ever run into this issue.
My work-a-round solution was to embed the dynamic flash in an html file and then call that html file
into an IFRAME Module.
All the Dynamic Flash Images and logo icons showed up.
But not when placed "via source"

Oh wells

Thanks Again and if anyone ever runs into something similar like this
please post here what you have found to work.
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Forums > DotNetNuke® > DotNetNuke® Questions > DNN doesn't interpret Question Mark Character of Embedded Flash File



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