Q: To Flash or Not To Flash
Many clients ask: "should my website be built with flash animation and interactivity?" The answer is not always so black and white. Using Adobe Flash can help to capture your customers' attention (which might keep the user on your site longer or entice them to interact with your site's content). On the other hand, flash animation can be intrusive (ie: slow loading times) and is less accessible to the mobile device market as a whole. Your developer must always consider your project's end-user accessibility and how well the chosen technology can be maintained or updated to keep pace with your competition.
Flash vs. JavaScript
Developers may choose either Flash or JavaScript (and HTML5) for animation and interactivity. While Flash is far less accessible (via mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad), JavaScript libraries (like JQuery) provide more limited animation techniques. These differences will become less clear in the coming years, as proponents of both methods work to overcome their respective limitations.
Below is a list of interesting articles / blogs on the subject matter:
- Flash vs. JavaScript, Pros and Cons - March 2009
- The Future of Web Content, HTML5, Flash & Mobile Apps - February 2010
- Steve Jobs' Thoughts on Adobe Flash - April 2010
- Replace Flash with Jquery: Tutorials - April 2010
- Adobe Continues the Flash Fight... - March 2011
Got some information or comments to contribute, or, need to consult an expert about your website project, Contact SCI Here
