How to set up Firefox for application users

Users can use the Mozilla Firefox browser on Windows workstations to access applications that are designed and developed to be cross-browser compatible. (In contrast, the Designer Studio, primarily accessed by application developers, works only with Microsoft Internet Explorer.)

Compatibility is designed for Firefox 2 or later, though the experience is best with version 3.6.

Configuring Firefox

Most configuration takes place in the Firefox Options window. To display this window, select Tools > Options.

Enable pop-ups

PRPC uses pop-ups. In the Options window, select the Content tab Firefox content . If you uncheck the Block pop-up windows checkbox, any sites you visit may open pop-up windows. A better alternative is to leave the checkbox selected and to click the Exceptions button related to the block-pop-up checkbox. In the form that appears, specify the URL of the PRPC system you are working with and click Allow. On the main screen, click OK.

JavaScript

PRPC uses JavaScript. In the Options window, select the Content tab Firefox content . Check the Enable JavaScript checkbox. Click OK.

Cookies

PRPC requires persistent cookies. In the Options window, select the Privacy tab Firefox privacy . Of the three choices in the History drop-down menu, choose one of these two:

Remember history. Firefox keeps cookies from web sites you visit, including PRPC applications, along with remembering your browsing, search, download, and form-filling history.
Use custom settings for history. If you choose this option, checkboxes appear that allow you to fine-tune how Firefox manages your online history.
1. If you check the Accept cookies from sites checkbox, Firefox keeps cookies from web sites you visit, including PRPC applications.
2. You can choose to uncheck the Accept cookies from sites checkbox, and instead to click Exceptions. In the screen that appears you can specify the URL of the PRPC application you will use. Firefox then rejects cookies from all web sites except those specified in this screen.

When you have made your choice, click OK in the main screen.

ActiveX controls not supported

ActiveX is the mechanism by which Internet Explorer (IE) loads other applications in the browser. Firefox uses the Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI), which performs functions similar to those of ActiveX.

Because Firefox does not support ActiveX, application users are unable to make use of functions that rely on ActiveX controls when they access a portal through Firefox. These functions include:

AttachAScreenShot
EmbedWordTextareaSet

Browser Plug-ins

PRPC users need one or two free browser plug-ins from Adobe Systems Inc.

Depending on their Windows and Firefox settings, users at workstations with World Wide Web access can download these plug-ins quickly upon first use. However, in some Windows configurations installation of the plug-ins require a Windows Administrator log-in (not a Windows log-in that has administrative privileges).

Flash Player — Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher plug-in is required to use interactive charts in the Monitor Activity workspace, interactive charts in your application, and other displays. This plug-ins available as a small download from www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer.
Adobe Reader — The Adobe Reader plug-in is often used in accessible applications. See PDN article 25265 Adding browser plug-ins to accessible applications.

Checking for cross-browser compatibility

To assess how well your application can be displayed by all supported browser types, run the Browser Compatibility report (> Application > Tools > Browser Compatibility Report).

This report checks the value set in the Browser Support option for all the harness, flow action, section, HMTL, control, and HTML fragment rules in your application and analyzes the calling relationships that are invoked at runtime. For each harness and flow action, it displays a percentage value that represents how cross browser-compliant the rule is based on the value of its Browser Support option and that of the rules it references.

To learn about using this report, see the PDN article 25240 How to Run the Browser Compatibility Report.

	accessibility, Active X, Flash Player, open authoring
	Understanding ActiveX controls and PRPC How to set up Internet Explorer 7

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