So here it is: playerversion.com.
Blogged from my iPhone (and typed in with one finger!) 
Update: There was a bug in the initial version that stopped it from working correctly on Windows with IE 6/7. This is now fixed. I don't have IE7 to test with so I'd appreciate it if someone can confirm that it works there too.
As my hand's feeling better, here's a bit more info on the detection process: It uses the latest SWFObject to embed a Flash 8 SWF which communicates the version back to the page via ExternalInterface. If the Flash Player version is less than 8, than the JavaScript detection in SWFObject is used. I also just added a link to Sephiroth's Plugin Switcher extension for Firefox/Win.
The playerversion.com article by Aral Balkan, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 UK: England License.
You legend! This is a great idea
The internet thanks you immensely. Excellent productivity hack.
Works cool on FF (XP) but IE7 shows ‘You don’t have Flash installed’ message….and I most surely do
Handy site, but I’m having the same issue as Clark here on Vista.
sounds good, but what about http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/ ? also accessible from the “About Adobe Flash Player…” right click on flash content..
Hi Clark, Dimitri,
I’m using the latest SWFObject for the version detection. Will look into this.
IE 6/7 issues should now be fixed. I’ve tested with 6. Can someone please test and confirm with 7? Thanks!
Hi, I confirm it’s working properly in IE7. This allowed me to know I only had version 6 installed in that crappy browser
Otherwise this page is a good idea (detection + gathering of useful links) which will be easier to type than the flash player detection page I know by heart, namely http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome, so thanks for this.
Hi Cerebral,
Thanks for confirming the fix for IE7
I also hope it’ll make it easier to troubleshoot issues with end users. Telling them to go to playerversion.com and telling you what they see should be easier than having them type in complicated Adobe URLs.
@Stan: I just added that link to the page. I feel playerversion is simpler than the About page and contains more useful links.
Hi,
that is so funny to see that I also had this idea a few days ago. Well done.
I guess I have to think of something new
Thanks Aral, great service!
Great job… However: I hope when your hand is better, and you have a moment of spare time you make it look more ‘Aral’
Anyway: great job, and very good idea!
You truly have great ideas!
Thanks. Actually what I like about the about page is to be able to check that I’m up-to-date at the same time. If you could find some way to let us know that directly that would save a click
Good idea anyway!
Hi Ronny,
Thanks! I don’t think I’ll have a lot of time to devote to making it pretty but who knows, if I need a break at some point, maybe
@stan: Ask and you shall have. The page now tells you what the latest version of the Flash Player is.
Feature Request: A badge so I can link to it from my site.
Barter: I’ll give you a capabilities SWF in return.
@Jester XL - I’ll make a badge if thats ok with Aral?
Great idea!
Love the idea of the links. I would add the link to download the debugger and projector, that are such a pain to find at adobe’s.
http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html
Hey Aral,
We must have had the same thought. Check out my blog post from the 12th Feb (four days before you posted yours).
http://www.adrianparr.com/?p=27
@Johnny: Please do + thanks!
@Carlos: Thanks, man. I just added the link.
@Adrian: Flash minds think alike?
Hey Aral,
Question regarding the issue you had in IE with SWFObject. I had what might be a similar issue (in my case a problem with userAgent described here). I was just wondering if your problem was related - and if so, what did you change to correct it in SWFObject?
http://thesaj.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/swfobject-20-not-returning-useragent-in-ie6-anyone-else-encounter-this/
Much obliged…
- The Saj
PS - See everyone next week in Atlanta @ 360Flex
Hi Jason,
The issue wasn’t SWFObject but a bug in my JS that only showed up on IE.
@Aral - I’m on to it. I’ll put it on my site and I will put a link for anyone to download the badge if they want to put it on their site. As soon as it is done I will let you all know.
Thanks
Ok here goes (I hope this shows up on here) Version 1:
Version 2:
Let me know if these are ok or if anything needs to be added.
Cheers
Whoops! HTML not showing
Ok heres the links to my flickr so that you can view them there:
Version 1 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2275514538_2c1499eeeb_o.png
Version 2 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2275514568_8a6f38ec5a_o.png
Thanks Aral. Very useful!
Whats all this about though:
The latest Flash Player version is 9,0,115,0 (on Windows 95/NT it is 7,0,73,0).
?
Hey Guy,
Thanks! That’s just a summary of the latest player version info from the About Flash page.
I think it’s been done a few times. I was reading the SWFObject page yesterday. And the page for testing express install includes a link to a similar page.
http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/flashversion.html
A group at Carnegie Mellon has a page that shows a variety of stats on plugins and media support:
https://odin.web.cmu.edu/~jar2/detection.html
Yes i figured that much, just wondered why it was telling me about Flash Player on Windows 95/NT, when its a legacy player and will no longer be upgraded and im on a Mac
Hi John,
I had the Flash Player version on my site for ages too buy I feel that having a site dedicated to it, with an easy to remember URL will be helpful for people (I know it will be for me; I’ve felt the need on many occasions).
@Guy: That would be because it’s a tiny bit of static text typed in by the monkey behind the keyboard (me!)
0.0023s
I have never faster bookmarked a site.
Thanks You!
Nice project man. I’ve got IE 7 and it works really fine. I guess many people will find it useful. Keep up the good work.
Regards