LiveConnect depended on presence of old Netscape Java Virtual Machine | |
If plug-in had LiveConnect API, had to start JVM before plug-in could start ŕ see “Starting Java ...” every time, even if page didn’t use LiveConnect API | |
No way to store plug-in state when leave page for quick restart on return to page |
Enhancements to Plug-in API in Mozilla
Netscape JVM gone, replaced by third-party JVMs through Open JVM Interface | |
LiveConnect no longer depends on JVM, so plug-ins can start immediately | |
Start and Stop methods enable you to suspend plug-in but save in memory when leave page for immediate restart when user returns |
Existing (Nav4) Plug-in Binaries
Existing Nav4 plug-in binaries work as-is in Mozilla-based browsers such as Nav5 | |
Existing plug-in content still works | |
If content makes LiveConnect calls from JavaScript, those calls will do nothing due to lack of old Netscape JVM | |
If plug-in has LiveConnect API, upgrade to Mozilla plug-in API to ensure backward compatibility with existing content’s LiveConnect calls |
Enhanced Mozilla Plug-in Binaries
Provide full backward compatibility with existing content (including LiveConnect calls) in Mozilla-based browsers like Nav5 | |
Implement backward adapter so single upgraded binary works in all versions, including LiveConnect calls | |
Optionally, implement Start and Stop methods to increase performance on return to page | |
Optionally, plug-in can ask Nav5 browser to change its size dynamically at run time |
What You Can Do: TEST YOUR PLUG-IN IN NAV5!
250 plug-in vendors : 1 browser vendor | |
Test your existing plug-in binary in Nav5 | |
If upgrading to Mozilla plug-in API, test upgraded plug-in in Nav5 and Nav4 | |
The sooner you report a bug, the better the chance we can fix it before final ship. | |
Start testing and upgrading your plug-in now to get your reports in before the other 249 vendors! | |
What You Can Do: ATTACH TEST CASES TO BUG REPORTS!
If you attach a simplified test case that reproduces the bug, QA & Eng can find the problem sooner | |
Bugs with attached test cases will get looked at first, so ... | |
test your existing plug-in in Nav5, test your upgraded plug-in in Nav5 and Nav4, report any bugs, and attach a test case for each one! | |
Where to Find Info and Get Help
Mozilla Plug-in API Doc: http://people.netscape.com/ornduff/plugin.htm | |
Bug Reports: http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/ |
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Join the BugAThon: http://www.mozilla.org/newlayout/bugathon.html | |
Plug-in Upgrade How-To Q&A: netscape.public.dev.plugin-upgrade | |
API Design Feedback & Comments: netscape.public.mozilla.plugins | |
Before You Email Eric Krock Page: http://sites.netscape.net/ekrock/answers.html |