Whilst both of these solutions work for Netflix, particularly using Chrome, there will be occasions where users will also want to access other ondemand streams for which neither option will work.
For instance, here in NZ we have two national TV broadcasters which both appear to use different settings with flash, meaning Chrome may work for one, but not the other. The same goes for with HAL | FreshPlayer | compholio, etc...
I have found the best ondemand all-rounder is to use Windows Firefox under wine (potential security risks noted).
The easiest way to do this is...
Playonlinux provides an intuitive front-end to wine. Once installed and opened, you can go to the Internet tab and choose to download and install the latest Windows version of Firefox. You can then watch any ondemand service that currently works within Firefox for Windows. It'll even offer the opportunity to download an install both flash and shockwave for Firefox (you need to click yes to both).
For my own convenience, I've renamed the Windows version of Firefox to 'TV OnDemand' and placed it in my favourites menu and on the panel. I've also installed a Firefox speed dial as my homepage with all the ondemand services I access.
So I use Windows Firefox through Playonlinux for all ondemand services, incl. Netflix, and native Firefox for anything/everything else. Cool, eh?
Hope this helps someone like me end this struggle.