Browser-Correct Download Instructions
Something I've noticed since I started using non-IE
browsers is that download instructions are provided, they're
almost always specifically for the IE browser on Windows
operating systems (right-click on the link then select
"Save Target As...").
What about Firefox? Opera? Macintosh browsers?
Many who use non-IE, non-Win browsers are probably so used
to seeing the incorrect instructions that they mentally
correct them before downloading. Therefore, few will hold
it against you for being Win/IE-centric.
Those who use the alternate browsers and operating systems
aren't the normal "follow the crowd in all things" type of
citizen.
One way to make an impression is to be different than
everybody else by providing correct download instructions
for these folks. It's not that they don't know how to
download, but that you acknowledge their existence and care
enough to be accurate.
And it's easy to do. Simply pop some JavaScript into the
place where your download instructions are.
The "download instructions" this article refers to are
those that instruct the user to download a document at a
link. Many PDF files have such instructions because some
people's computers are configured to load the PDF file
instead of download it when the link is clicked normally.
Here is the JavaScript.
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">
<!-- Copyright 2005 Bontrager Connection, LLC
function talkright() {
if(navigator.appVersion.indexOf('Mac') != -1) {
// It's a Macintosh
document.write('Option+Click the link.');
return;
}
if(navigator.appVersion.indexOf('Win') != -1) {
// It's Windows
document.write('Put the mouse cursor over the link. ');
document.write('Right click the link and select ');
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Firefox') != -1) {
// It's Firefox
document.write('"Save Link As..."');
return;
}
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Opera') != -1) {
// It's Opera
document.write('"Save target as..."');
return;
}
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') != -1) {
// It's Netscape 6+
document.write('"Save Target As..."');
return;
}
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('IE') != -1) {
// It's IE
document.write('"Save Target As..."');
return;
}
}
// Default
document.write('Put the mouse cursor over the link. ');
document.write('Right click the link and select ');
document.write('"Save Target As..."');
}
talkright();
//-->
</script>
<noscript>
Put the mouse cursor over the link.
Right click the link and select "Save Target As..."
</noscript>
The NOSCRIPT tag is present for browsers with JavaScript
turned off.
Only a few browsers are represented above, those I could
check the afternoon this article was written.
Many more different kinds of browsers are used. And I ask
your help to update the JavaScript.
If you use a browser other than those in
the JavaScript above, please go to the forum at
/support/cgi-bin/forum/MBP.cgi
where you'll see a thread titled "Browser 'Link Download'
Instructions."
Reply to the thread with the name of your operating system
and browser, and with the procedure for downloading a
document from a link.
I thank you very much.
Question:
Did you find this article interesting and understandable? How can it be improved?
Your response is anonymous.
When done typing, click anywhere outside the box. [more info]
Will Bontrager
©2005 Bontrager Connection, LLC
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