Question from HP engineering team – Adobe Flash Plug-in

[Brad Klein]

We are looking at different technologies that can be used in producing rich management applications for system administration and some of them require browser plug-ins. We would like to get some information from you related to the prevalence of Adobe Flash plug-ins on administrator's browsers. We asked similar questions in August of 2007 and would like to get an updated sample on this matter.

1. What operating system is running on the PC you use to perform the majority of your system administration tasks?
2. Do you currently have the Adobe Flash plug-in loaded in the browser on the PC you use for the majority of your system administration tasks? If not, why not?
3. Are there policies at your workplace that prohibit the installation of the Adobe Flash plug-in (or plug-ins in general) for system administrators management PCs? (please elaborate)

Thank you for any insights you provide.

[dirk dierickx · Accepted solution]

1. Ubuntu 8.10 or 8.04 depending on the machine

2. I do have adobe installed

3. no limitation so far, who knows what will happen in the future...

still, must you use flash? it's all fun and games like youtube and other sillyness. but for system management programs, please...

what could you possibly need flash for? consider using other tech like javascript/ajax or even java.

that's just my opinion.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

1) Centos 5 update 2
2) Yes, but I use flashblock because I also browse the reb with my admin system, and flashturbation using 100% of CPU is a problem.
3) No, but read answer 2. We do not like flash because it is a huge user of CPU resources. If you MUST use it, make sure your code is efficient.

SEP

[Shoghi Martinez G.]

1 - We use Fedora/CentOS,
2 - We all use the adobe Flash Plugin, and
3 - There is not a policy about plugins in admins Workstations.

[Heironimus]

1. Linux today, Windows in the past.

2. It is installed, but I use noscript to block flash and other active content and whitelist the few things I want.

3. No policies at the current job, but elsewhere I've seen requirements that only approved software be installed.


My experience has been that Flash, Java, and most other fancy "active web" technologies are usually used to replace proper interface design, not to implement it - even in the Proliant SMH (which doesn't even work for me). Impressing nontechnical managers while making hands-on admins miserable won't help long-term sales.

[Seth Kaplan]

1. Windows/Fedora
2. Yes on both
3. No current limits.

[Ragu_3]

>> What operating system is running on the PC

GNU/Linux (Debian/Redhat/CentOS) x86_64 port.


>> Do you currently have the Adobe Flash plug-in loaded

It is generally not loaded as it is propreitary and non-free. Moreover it hampers other important tasks getting done.


>> Are there policies at your workplace that prohibit the installation

Yes, there are. It is "non-free" and this is the most important reason for non-deployment.

--
Free as in Freedom
http://www.gnu.org/

[Brad Klein]

Thanks to all who responded for the valuable feedback!