To Flash or Not to Flash - That is the Question!

[Brian D]

Hi,
Would like your opinion concerning using Flash in a FrontPage 2003 Website.
I was inititaly turned off to it as like most of us we got hit with a big
full screen "Intro" pages on some websites. But I understand it can be used
to design smaller animated graphics.

Is this a substitute for Java or J++ Applets? Anyone have any strong likes
or dislikes to Flash especially when using Front Page. I was wondering if it
is just geared to Dreamweaver Users?
If I Flash in a public website will I get arrested
Brian

 

[Jim Cheshire \(JIMCO\)]

Hi,
Would like your opinion concerning using Flash in a FrontPage 2003
Website. I was inititaly turned off to it as like most of us we got
hit with a big full screen "Intro" pages on some websites. But I
understand it can be used to design smaller animated graphics.

Is this a substitute for Java or J++ Applets? Anyone have any strong
likes or dislikes to Flash especially when using Front Page. I was
wondering if it is just geared to Dreamweaver Users?
If I Flash in a public website will I get arrested
Brian

I think Flash is like any other tool for Web design; if it is used
appropriately, it can enhance your Web site. What does "used appropriately"
mean? To me, it means the following:

1. Don't develop the entire site in Flash.
2. Don't have a Flash intro page.
3. Don't have large Flash graphics.
4. Don't have moving animations all over your page.

There are likely many others. I supposed what I'm saying is that if you are
subtle, Flash is a great and powerful tool for enhancing a Web site.

--
Jim Cheshire
JIMCO

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[Kevin Spencer]

Flash is a tool. It provides a set of functionality. If that functionality
will improve your web site, use it. Otherwise, not.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Neither a follower nor a lender be.

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Really has nothing to do with using FP. However user has the ability to block Flash, especially
users of Windows XP SP2.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Murray]

And, 5. Don't make your only navigation elements from Flash (I'd prefer
that you not make any from Flash).

There's a whole different side to Flash that hasn't even been mentioned
here, and that's Flash remoting and Rich Internet Apps. It makes a GREAT
STUPENDOUS front end into a database. If you have not seen this you really
should go look at the tutorials on the Macromedia site - very nice....

 

[Jim Cheshire \(JIMCO\)]

And, 5. Don't make your only navigation elements from Flash (I'd
prefer that you not make any from Flash).

There's a whole different side to Flash that hasn't even been
mentioned here, and that's Flash remoting and Rich Internet Apps. It
makes a GREAT STUPENDOUS front end into a database. If you have not
seen this you really should go look at the tutorials on the
Macromedia site - very nice....

Oh yes! The latest Flash version has support for powerful databinding (XML
as well as databases) and also support for XML Web Services.

--
Jim Cheshire
JIMCO

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[Murray]

IN case you would like to see these applications in action, here's a link to
Pet Mart (a fictional store) that is done with Flash remoting -

http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/blueprint/

In addition, here is a link to an excellent tutorial on how to develop an
application with Flash remoting - in this case for a fictional car company,
Trio motors -

http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/trio/

Finally, here is a link to a host of tutorials and files that can help you
understand more about this cool stuff -

http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/topics/sample_apps.html

 

[Bob Lehmann]

Or Firefox. On any OS.

Bob Lehmann

Really has nothing to do with using FP. However user has the ability to block Flash, especially
users of Windows XP SP2.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Jim Cheshire \(JIMCO\)]

Or Firefox. On any OS.

Bob Lehmann

Users have the ability to block cookies, images, and almost any other
content as well. The question is, do they? When it comes to Flash, most
users don't.

--
Jim Cheshire
JIMCO

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http://www.jimcoaddins.com
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[Thomas A. Rowe]

Flash is implemented in IE via ActiveX, and doesn't SP2 block that by default? I have customized my
settings, so I do remember.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Jim Cheshire \(JIMCO\)]

Flash is implemented in IE via ActiveX, and doesn't SP2 block that by
default? I have customized my settings, so I do remember.

Nope. It will prompt you to download the control if you don't already have
it, but that's no change from before SP2. It just does it in a different
manner.

--
Jim Cheshire
JIMCO

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http://www.jimcoaddins.com
=======================================

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