FLASH - To use or not to use?

[jdessel]

I am interested in finding out what everyone thinks about using Flash in their sites. Do you use it? If not, why? Compatibility? Do you think it poses too many issues to bother?

Thanks!
Jackie

[astericks]

I did not use it for most of the sites I've done since the sites were designed for 56k users mostly.

If i were to make a site for high speed intnet users, i mmight consider using flash for certain small parts of the site...certainly not the whole thing...not my kind of style.

asT.

[Megs]

I think that the answer to this question is that it depends. Depends on the type of site, the target audience, the message involved etc. etc. IMO, using flash on a site that is primarily information-based is not a very good idea. It might be alright to do a little animation on a logo or something (that would stop within a few seconds). Same for business sites or e-commerce.

Flash can be good, though for an artistic or entertainment site, that is really more of a visual experience than an information repository. Of course, the rules of usability still apply - a lot of people seem to forget that.

Oh, and don't use flash if you're not very good at it. Poor quality Flash is way worse than poor quality html/grapics IMO. Using flash for something that could be done just as well with html/graphics is also a bad idea. As is using flash for a navigation menu without providing a text-based alternative.

As for the accessibility issue - I don't think it's a huge problem given the above constraints and the fact that something like 95% of people have flash installed. If the information contained in the flash is important then of course it is important to provide an alternative. I also don't think that download speeds are a major contributing factor per se. I mean - it's not impossible to create Flash that works via 56k.

[bbolte]

i agree with megs, it's not a simple yes/no answer. it depends on the content and the user base. i especially agree on the "poor quality Flash comment" megs made. nothing looks worse than cheesy flash graphics...

[iTec]

well said megs

[Scud]

Originally posted by Megs

Oh, and don't use flash if you're not very good at it. Poor quality Flash is way worse than poor quality html/grapics IMO. Using flash for something that could be done just as well with html/graphics is also a bad idea. As is using flash for a navigation menu without providing a text-based alternative.

couldn't have put it better

[Frozentoast]

The only time I use flash is to design banners and interactive content in sites such as games and quizes.

Andy

[Manores]

Originally posted by iTec
well said megs

well said iTec

[Megs]

Thanks I actually came across a flash intro recently that was a white background with a red circle aimlessly bouncing around. Then there was some black, Times New Roman text sliding horitzontally across (or vertically, I forget). Why don't you just say "Hello, this is my very first flash animation."

A word to Flash beginners: your very first flash animation should never be seriously used as part of a site. Unless, of course, you want people to make fun of your lack of ability.