Flash: WHY!?!

[qwallis]

I see more and more jewellery sites being authored in Flash (Adobe).
Why?!!

It's mainly because designers (web) like playing, and they like to be paid to play.
Flash is not all evil, but there are a few things that you may not know, and probably won't be told when thinking about commissioning a site.

Why bother?

You may find pages that load in an "animated way" interesting as a form of expression: but remember most visitors will get itchy fingers if they are forced to wait while something happens.

Arty menus...

Site navigation should be intuitive NOT conceptual !!! You understand it because the designer has sold you the "idea" but don't expect your visitors to get it.

Mouse wheel...

Ever been irritated by a windows' refusal to scroll when you inadvertently wander over a Flash element? Yeh me too!

Pop-up blockers....

Having to "Allow" pop-ups on a flash site just so you can see the content?! (Even worse on a site that then also has pop-up Ads... Makes one think more than twice about "allowing" it next time....

Finally...

There have always, and probably always will, be problems indexing Flash content. This basically means that your content suffers from being stuck in a cupboard that no-one ever opens.

There are some things that Flash does well: video etc.. But do think twice before paying a straight out of collage graduate, who likes playing with his action script.

[marcusmarguillier]

Sorry, but I do not agree with that statement.

Personally I prefer visiting a Flash site.
In my opinion it adds to the content and makes a site more accessible. The difference is like between an newspaper and a glossy magazine.
I must admit that I did not have to spend money for my own site since I made it myself, but if you have a regular HTML site made by a professional, it will cost you too. So no matter if its Flash or HTML, if you don't do it yourself you have to pay, and Flash designers are no more expensive than others.

Also it is no problem to open a Flash site without permitting pop-ups, if you don't overdo the animations the pics will take no longer to load than on a HTML site, and there are simple ways to make search engines recognise and find your site.

In my opinion, it is not so much the the platform (HTML or Flash or other) that makes a site interesting, but in the first place its content. Flash is just an other way of displaying that content. It evolved a lot since the beginning and I find it a great way to promote my work on the net.

PS/ I am no computer guru. I know very little of HTML or other web languages, I only learned Flash (basics) because for me it is a form of expression.

[qwallis]

There have recently been some improvements in indexing flash, but they are only improvements.
I still wouldn't expect flash to stand up against text/html as far as being indexed is concerned.
When was the last time you saw [Flash] against a result when you look for something on Google?

Any Flash images will not get indexed.

I don't know what browser settings you use but I often have to "allow pop-ups from someflashdomain.com" just to "see" their content on flash site (very annoying as a user )

Google and Yahoo have been "given" (by Adobe) some tweaks which help shorten the gap, but I think there is still a gap.

Flash can be very absorbing to play with, (I have developed in Flash before I "saw the light"): but one tends to be easily diverted into adding effects which please the developer, but just become an irritation to the user.

When was the last time you landed at an HTML site and didn't "understand" it?
When was the last time ..... ...and it was a Flash site.

Flash is often not used to serve the user, but to stimulate the developer. That's my point.

EDIT:
Maybe It would be better to see ....

This is a quote from your web site (which I had to type myself as I can't highlight the text (it isn't text!)):
"as a young man I studied graphic design, classical ballet and"

This is a quote from YOUR page on the HCJ Project site:
In my work I am always searching for simplicity. A piece maybe complex in his creation

First we make sure your site is in Googles index: site:www.marcus-design.eu
Yes it is....

Then we search for the text I typed from your Flash site: "as a young man I studied graphic design, classical ballet and"
No results. Remember your site IS in Google's index, so the fact that it doesn't offer your site as a result is because the "text" is within a Flash file (i.e. it isn't text).

Then we search for some "text" of yours on an HTML page (this site): In my work I am always searching for simplicity. A piece maybe complex in his creation
Bingo!

[marcusmarguillier]

Well, I do not agree, but I respect your opinion.

[qwallis]

I'm not trying to convert people to any particular view point.

I started the topic because I know allot of people will trust a web designer to make the right choices for them.
There are issues associated with any choice: it is better to be informed or at least aware that there may be problems.
That way one can ask more informed questions and hopefully get something that is better suited to their needs.

[marcusmarguillier]

I agree on that.