Install process, why does it not re-open to previous page?

[br...@earthware.co.uk]

Hi

The plugin is fantastic, thanks Google. However the install process is
not as nice as Virtual Earth 3d mostly because it requires and browser
restart and loses the page the visitor is on, instead taking them to
the default google earth browser plugin page.

This is a really big issue as the user may not even know the address
of the page they were on!

Brian Norman
www.earthware.co.uk/vscapes

[IDEVFH]

Hi Brian,
One of the types of development I actively code toward are application
BHO's for Microsoft's I.E. 7.0+.
I am considering placing the Google Earth Plug-in, within a left side-
pane, with associating to the right, a hosting of any website within a
single browser view .

Would this scenario provide an answer to this issue?

Respectfully,
IDEVFH

[br...@earthware.co.uk]

Any official word on this, its the only reason we cannot use the
plugin commercially at the moment as its just too much to expect users
to know the web address they were on?

Brian Norman
www.earthware.co.uk/vscapes

[ManoM]

Hi Brian,

I'll mention it to the team. But at this point, can't people hit the
back button to get back to you page?

Mano

[DougH]

Once, when I was trying out the plugin on another computer, I thought
was returned to the original page after the restart, but I tried it
again after uninstalling/reinstalling, and now its back to the default
plugin page.

Did that functionality appear and disappear, or was I imagining it?
This is why a revision history would be nice.

If it did work, and still works for some people, do I need to make
sure cookies are enabled? Do I need to make sure the browser keeps the
history for a specific period? Do I need to make sure the Temporary
Internet Files folder isn't emptied upon closing the browser?

Will an install and restart work on a separate window, like a popup,
leaving the original open? Or do all windows have to be closed?

ManoM suggested using the Back button, but when I restart my browser,
I don't get a Back button.

This may seem minor, but it would be less confusing if the install
process ended by informing the user that the browser had to be
restarted, and then provide buttons to close or not, but not reopen to
a page that is intended for programmers rather than the page they were
on in the first place.

[Roman N]

> Once, when I was trying out the plugin on another computer, I thought
> was returned to the original page after the restart, but I tried it
> again after uninstalling/reinstalling, and now its back to the default
> plugin page.
>
> Did that functionality appear and disappear, or was I imagining it?
> This is why a revision history would be nice.

The functionality has been improved for Firefox and we are working on
improving the installation flow for IE as well.

> If it did work, and still works for some people, do I need to make
> sure cookies are enabled? Do I need to make sure the browser keeps the
> history for a specific period? Do I need to make sure the Temporary
> Internet Files folder isn't emptied upon closing the browser?

The installer doesn't rely on these settings, so it shouldn't make a
difference.

> Will an install and restart work on a separate window, like a popup,
> leaving the original open? Or do all windows have to be closed?
>
> ManoM suggested using the Back button, but when I restart my browser,
> I don't get a Back button.
>
> This may seem minor, but it would be less confusing if the install
> process ended by informing the user that the browser had to be
> restarted, and then provide buttons to close or not, but not reopen to
> a page that is intended for programmers rather than the page they were
> on in the first place.

Like I mentioned earlier, we are working to ensure that end users have
as smooth of an install process as possible.