ItDoesntWorkIsUseless. Post the full applet tag, the Java code that tries to retrieve the parameter values, and describe what is happening when it's run.
The page can be a JSP/PHP/ASP page, where the parameter value is inserted dynamically on the server; I wouldn't call that "hardcoding". Or is this an environment where server-side processing is not feasible?
So how are you using getParameter, and how is it not working? Or are you no longer using that at all? TellTheDetails
If this page was generated on the server, you could check the cookie there, and put an appropriate value in the param tag. I'd consider that more reliable than using JavaScript.
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a bit of art, as a gift, the permaculture playing cards