View Full Version : flash driven websites
C Yau
7th July 2003, 11:58
what are the opinions of flash driven websites ? do you love or hate it ?
James
7th July 2003, 21:03
My view is that there's a time and place for Flash. If your site is about content, then avoid it. If it's about showing off graphic design ability, it's tolerable. Having said that Macromedia are working hard at making Flash the answer to everything.
James
Anonymous
8th July 2003, 11:06
I like flash but as James says there is a time and a place for it. As an intro (with skip button) its ok and probably for other features like product demos where the user is aware of it I dont mind so much. A site made completely out of flash Im not that keen for a number of reasons. Its not as user friendly as a html site and some sites have printing issues where you cant actually print the content.
I would recommend against using Flash anywhere on your web site except where it is absolutely necessary and then make sure the visitor is warned a Flash page will open if they click the link.
1. Although some search engines can now see some Flash, most can't so you may not get the site well placed on the Search Engines unless you use other indexing techniques.
2. There are a lot of people who don't have fast connections (especially those living outside major cities). Some even have a DAX box (thanks BT) which limits them to a maximum of about 28.8! Subject these people to Flash is, in my view, bad manners.
Flash, therefore, should never ever be used on the index/home/default page.
I will quite often leave a site rather than wait for the Flash movie to open (only got ISDN here), unless the site has something I am extremely interested in. I always click the Skip link on those sites as well.
As connection speeds get faster, then I think Flash will become acceptable. Until then, use something else.