Javascript – Not Detecting Flash 10: World’s Most Widespread Web Video Bug

Here's the Question: What is the best way to make sure that your requirement for Flash Version "x" on a site will properly detect presence of later-version Adobe Flash Player Version "10" (or "1y" for that matter)?

Now here's the mystery: Why are so many sites that require Flash Player versions 8 and 9 or better failing to detect Flash Player version 10?

And here's the juicy background, in technicolor screen captures in my post, "WTF: The Adobe Flash Version 1x Crisis."

UPDATE 2: I have since confirmed that the problem I am seeing is not about improper comparison for the same-or-more-recent version. It appears that some client-side detection is unable to determine whether there is any Flash Player installed at all, much less what version it is. I have also discovered that if I am running as admin I don't have the problem: detection of Flash 10 works just fine. That makes this a bigger can of snakes than I first thought. I'm not ready to change this question's title just yet, and I am continuing to dissect client-side code to see what wondrous logic unfolds. Details on these latest revelations are on my blog.

UPDATE: Although I did a search, I missed the related question "Why don't flash videos play after upgrading to Flash 10?" The speculations there are interesting but they don't get to the bottom of it. Also, it's not clear how Levi's problem was resolved. Interesting … Maybe we can get to the bottom of things here.

Some Background

I managed to install the new Adobe Flash Player version 10.0.12.36 as a clean install (with previous versions removed using the Adobe-provided uninstaller).

The first disappointment was noticed when I couldn't play the latest NCIS program from the CBS Television site, not in HD, not in plain-old standard. But I could play videos of my favorite programs on Hulu. The more I nosed around, the more times I found those obnoxious you-don't-have-Flash, you-need-a-later-version-of-Flash, your-version-of-Flash-old messages that offered a button for downloading.

Every time I clicked the download/update button, and told the Adobe site to do the install (which should fail if attempted, because I am not running as admin), my already having version 10.0.12.36 was confirmed instantly and no update was attempted.

Curious, huh?

The Challenge

I think I know exactly what the most-likely bug is in the Flash-detection script that people are using. It is just too juicy to not be the bug.

Now, that does not mean all sites that fail to detect version 10 suffer from the same bug. I just think the one I have in mind is really likely. I should probably seal my theory in an envelope somewhere. Meanwhile, let's see what the StackOverflow community has to offer and what we conclude the lesson is.

I say the bug is really simple and very funny. What do you say?