Aviod Flash My Ass
I am sick and tired of reading web related articles and seeing opinions offered to young designers and developers that tell them to avoid flash. What the hell is that all about? I understand there is a movement towards purist web design and with that no third part plugins or leprechaun magic should be used, but come on. Live in the reality that is all around us. We shouldn’t narrow our view to a certain set of technologies, instead we should strive for a balance of the benefits that each technology might provide. Then the next step which seems to be a lost art, think about your approach and match the best technologies to achieve your goals.
I’m tired of seeing “magic pill” books and articles about creating better websites in 10 easy steps. It’s bull! Design is a craft despite the media that has only one rule. Thought. After that it can go in any direction.
Don’t get me wrong, I think its great that we have web standards and I do my best to follow them when its appropriate. But sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to force all ideas and concepts down a narrow set of parameters. That’s what makes the web so great. We have a plethora of options. If we used the internet the way it was “intended” there would be no e-commerce and well would all still be playing zork through a command line.
I understand there is a lot of bad content and horrible web experiences out there. Both HTML/CSS as well as flash. But why as “opinoin-ists” do so many people feel the need to cast Flash aside? It’s obviously popular. People have been using it for over a decade and the development community has been growing in droves year after year.
Instead of fighting over the proper technology lest instead put our passions towards a better experience and continue to push the bounds of what the technologies were “intended”. Thats when something truly great happens and the world is changed.
Tags: ActionScript, Flash, HTML, Web Standards
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I am one of those who avoids Flash like plague. (sorry for using a cliche… or, beating it like a dead… nevermind!) Fortunately, wonderful designers like Daniel Mall (http://portfolio.danielmall.com/) travels the country trying to fight the good fight as you are for keeping Flash within the web process. He gave a fantastic presentation at An Event Apart Boston entitled “Flash + Web Standards, Getting Along on the Playground” where he explained that flash could help enhance the designer’s page beyond HTML/CSS limitations.
I went into that presentation thinking of flash like an 80+ year old would a lecture from their great grandkids teaching them how to use a blackberry (ok, not completely, but still) and left there feeling like a fool for writing it off. I’m sure he’s started some sort of movement… you should reach out to him and join it! The rest of us just might convert and join the crusade…… maybe.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Tim Thanks for the comment.
It’s funny that you say that. I met Dan last year at FlashPitt 09 and we had some great conversations about the Web, Flash, and just other random stuff. He’s a great guy and he’s super talented! I’m so glad he’s out there in the community spreading the love. There can be some good things if flash is used properly and for the right reasons. Which I know sounds like the same thing, but they really are two different things.