1. A method in a client of launching a software component, the client having an execution environment, the method comprising: receiving from a user a request to launch the software component; sending to a server a request to launch the software component; in response to sending the request, receiving from the server a launch page that includes code to determine whether the software component can successfully execute in the execution environment of the client, to determine parameters of the execution environment of the client, and to request downloading of the software component configured based on the determined parameters; under control of the code of the received launch page, determining whether the software component can successfully execute in the execution environment of the client; when it is determined that the software component cannot successfully execute in the execution environment of the client, reporting an error to the user; when it is determined that the software component can successfully execute in the execution environment of the client, determining parameters of the execution environment of the client; sending to the server a request to download the software component, the request indicating the determined parameters; receiving from the server the software component configured according to the determined parameters; and launching execution of the software component; updating the received launch page to include code to continue to detect parameters of the execution environment of the client; and under control of the updated launch page, detecting changes in a parameter of the execution environment of the client; and when a change in a parameter is detected, notifying the server of the change to the parameter so that the server can effect the re- configuring of the software component.