[html5] Accessing the user's installed fonts

[Oliver Sartun]

Hello Bjartur,

2013/7/27 Bjartur Thorlacius <svartman95 at gmail.com>:
> On 07/24/2013 03:02 PM, Oliver Sartun wrote:
>>
>> for all I know it's not possible to retrieve a list of all fonts a
>> user has installed on his system via JavaScript. Is that correct?
>
> AFAIK, yes.
>
>
>> Is a solution to this problem in the making? Or hasn't this been
>> addressed yet? Or does a solution already exist that I'm not aware of?
>
> AFAIK, no.

Thanks for the answers.

> There are technical details that should be given some thought
> before an API to system fonts is implemented, such as the fact that the
> exact set of font that you have installed might be unique enough to
> effectively identify you, and thus track you.

Yes, I know that a lot of things have to be considered before adding a
new feature to the webplatform.
Concerning the traceability: It's still possible to achieve the same
thing via Flash. So, if someone wants to access the user's fonts it's
already possible.

=========

I already got answers from Jeffrey Barke, but our conversation
happened outside this mailinglist.
So, for completeness' sake and with Jeffrey's consent I'm posting our
conversation here:

2013/7/24 Jeffrey Barke <jeffrey.barke at jeffreybarke.net>:
> What's wrong with using Flash? I mean, I hear you that it would be nice to implement this completely in JS, but check out the following:
> <http://hasseg.org/blog/post/526/getting-a-list-of-installed-fonts-with-flash-and-javascript/>
> <http://hasseg.org/stuff/fontList/example.html>
>
> Will this not achieve what you're trying to do?
>
> Jeffrey

2013/7/25 Oliver Sartun <osartun at gmail.com>:
> Hey Jeffrey,
>
> thanks for your answer.
>
>> What's wrong with using Flash? I mean, I hear you that it would be nice to
>> implement this completely in JS, but check out the following:
>> <http://hasseg.org/blog/post/526/getting-a-list-of-installed-fonts-with-flash-and-javascript/>
>> <http://hasseg.org/stuff/fontList/example.html>
>
> That seems to be a practical solution. However, I'm looking for an
> open webstandard kind of way.
>
>> Will this not achieve what you're trying to do?
>
> I probably should have explained what I'm actually working on: I'm
> developing an experimental prototype of a webbased document editor for
> my bachelor thesis.
> The thesis is also about exploring the possibilities and limitations
> of the Open Web Platform (apart from evaluating architectural design
> approaches and other things).
> And as my understanding of the Open Web Platform only includes open
> web standards and Flash isn't specified as one (to my knowledge), I'm
> leaving it out.
>
>> I mean, I hear you that it would be nice to
>> implement this completely in JS
>
> So, I assume then, there is indeed no JavaScript way available so far?

2013/7/25 Jeffrey Barke <jeffrey.barke at jeffreybarke.net>:
> Hi Oliver,
>
>> So, I assume then, there is indeed no JavaScript way available so far?
>
> AFAIK, there is not. And I don't think any of the various "HTML5" proposals, extensions, APIs and what-nots address this issue. :(
>
>> That seems to be a practical solution.
>
> Yeah, it's far from ideal, but if this were client work and it's "get it done" time, that Flash solution is what I'd do.
>
>> And as my understanding of the Open Web Platform only includes open
>> web standards and Flash isn't specified as one (to my knowledge), I'm
>> leaving it out.
>
> Yerp, Flash isn't one and should be left out.
>
>> The thesis is also about exploring the possibilities and limitations
>> of the Open Web Platform (apart from evaluating architectural design
>> approaches and other things).
>
> Good luck with the thesis! This should definitely go in the current limitations column.
>
> Jeffrey

2013/7/25 Oliver Sartun <osartun at gmail.com>:
> Hey Jeffrey,
>
> This is great! Thank you very much for these answers!! :)
>
> Oliver