function getFlashVersion(){
	  // ie
	  try {
	    try {
	      // avoid fp6 minor version lookup issues
	      // see: http://blog.deconcept.com/2006/01/11/getvariable-setvariable-crash-internet-explorer-flash-6/
	      var axo = new ActiveXObject('ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash.6');
	      try { axo.AllowScriptAccess = 'always'; }
	      catch(e) { return '6,0,0'; }
	    } catch(e) {}
	    return new ActiveXObject('ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash').GetVariable('$version').replace(/\D+/g, ',').match(/^,?(.+),?$/)[1];
	  // other browsers
	  } catch(e) {
	    try {
	      if(navigator.mimeTypes["application/x-shockwave-flash"].enabledPlugin){
		return (navigator.plugins["Shockwave Flash 2.0"] || navigator.plugins["Shockwave Flash"]).description.replace(/\D+/g, ",").match(/^,?(.+),?$/)[1];
	      }
	    } catch(e) {}
	  }
	  return '0,0,0';
	}