I've knocked up a prototype block which uses JavaScript to check for plug-ins like Real, Quicktime, Flash, Java and Windows media player etc. It scans the "navigator.plugins." array in browsers that maintain info there, and writes out VBScript for recent IE versions which don't. At this stage its a "sniffing only" form of detection, it doesn't actually attempt to instantiate the objects (which would be a better indication of support) but may be a slightly more expensive operation, especially on a busy course page.
A screen-shot is attached, the demo I have running allows a teacher to customise which plug-ins are looked for giving them the opportunity to weed out those that would just be noise. Another idea is to check the files folder for the course and see what types are stored there, and maybe look through the linked resources for other types (based on extension) and pre-populate the plug-in detection list.
Has anyone else developed such a thing? If not, does anyone have any suggestions for completing the block?
