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';
}