plug-in "application/octet-stream"

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Level 4

1,390 points

plug-in "application/octet-stream"

Hello all,

All of a sudden on eBay everytime I go to a list of items page - but not the individual item itself - I get a pop-up that says plug-in needed "application/octet stream" and leads me to a page full of plug-ins that is pretty much incomprehensible to me. I thought an octet stream was something that applied to PC/Windows things. It happens on all the computers, so it can't just be the one. Anyone have any idea what's going on? Have I missed something? Is eBay quitting support for Macs?

T'aint all bad, though; it makes it so cumbersome to use eBay I'm sure to save money.

Thanx.....Jon

Posted on Oct 29, 2005 2:12 AM

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Answer 1

Ron JACKLE

Level 7

33,451 points

Oct 29, 2005 6:48 AM in response to Jon Smith

Jon Smith...

I looked over ebay's "source code" and suspect ShockWave isn't installed or isn't loading in properly. You may be getting an incomplete error if IE is getting low on memory and or starts to get flaky on you. 😉 (IE and its quirks)

BTW Flash and ShockWave are different so double check macromedia.com for needed plugins.

...Ron

PS... I have a backup browser like WaMCom handy for those just in case situations. http://wamcom.org/

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Answer 2

Jon Smith Author

Level 4

1,390 points

Oct 29, 2005 12:35 PM in response to Jon Smith

Hello Ron.

And thanks for your response.

The problem struck all four computers last night about 1 A.M., some with Flash, and some with Shockwave plug-ins. (The plug-in that says Shockwave Flash is apparently just Flash) All the Macs have enough memory to choke a horse, including that assigned to IE. (you'd think 100,000 K would be enough)

Further investigation this morning reveals that iCab struggles with the whole eBay site - which it didn't used to do, but finally displays everything except the flashy (NPI) headers and without asking for more plug-ins.

Haven't tried to download WamCOM and attempt that yet..

But - most interesting - mule #2, an old desktop I keep around for testing weird stuff, went right to the pages and displayed them properly, without problem. Turns out - at least so far - that as long as I go to eBay as a guest, and delete cookies that recognise me, eBay displays properly, without asking me for plug-ins.

Curiouser and curiouser !!

I suspect eBay is just trying to wring more and more information out of its customers.....and will finally get too greedy and destroy a good thing. But then, what do I know.

Thanks again.....Jon

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Answer 3

Oct 29, 2005 1:58 PM in response to Jon Smith

This just began happening to me on e-bay yesterday also. I normally run OS 9.2.2, but tried OS 10 and have the same thing happening there as well. I'll be following this thread with great interest!

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Answer 4

Jon Smith Author

Level 4

1,390 points

Oct 31, 2005 8:17 PM in response to Jon Smith

Hello again all,

Well, as of today the offending pop-up perpetually asking for "application/octet-stream" plug-in is gone from eBay - vanished like a diaphanous spectre in the bright sunlight. Amen!

Got in touch with eBay and they responded twice, and reasonably promptly (which sort of surprised me - considering earlier experience). Have no idea if that had anything to do with it, but - no matter - the spirit is gone.

Now, back to business.....jws

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Answer 5

Nov 1, 2005 3:42 PM in response to Jon Smith

Exact same thing here, Jon... went on e-bay yesterday (Monday) morning and no more alert windows about octet-stream. Good ridance!

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