Re: Flash In The Pan

From: Matt Bateman <bateman_m_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Tue 02 May 2000 16:38:39 MDT

One of the issues that has to be addressed is that the
quality and functionality of a Flash multimedia
presentation is dependent on the developers and
designers, NOT the technology. Many people fail to see
that multimedia holds great potential when utilized by
competent designers and developers. Flash has somehow
attained a reputation of being simply a toy in the
hands of people who do not understand their customers
or their business. I strongly disagree with this
preconception! Flash - like anything else - can be
used inappropriately, however, to assume that using
Flash is inappropriate, is ignorance. People NEED
entertainment! Perhaps a site dedicated solely to
business people who only wish to get their information,
place their orders, and leave does not require
multimedia, creative graphics and a visually pleasing
design, and in this case I encourage the _K.I.S.S._
technique (keep it simple stupid). However, any site
which plans to deliver information, products, etc. to
consumers and citizens cannot turn a blind eye to
having a thoughtful layout, entertaining graphics,
enlivened content, and why not an introduction! The
Internet is not simply an encyclopedia anymore! It can
utilize entertainment, "sensory candy" (anything which
pleases the senses), AND useful content. The degree to
which each one should be used is a function of the
audience. This is where developers make mistakes and
media seems out of place. Thorough planning must be
done before the production of a web site. During this
phase, developers must identify when, where and how to
entertain users depending on the nature of the site.

The Internet is notorious for being sluggish, sometimes
to the point of boredom and frustration! Many people
have fallen into the trap of thinking that Flash
inflates this problem. The bad rep that Flash has
received has come from the unfortunate instances where
developers add unnecessary media simply for the sake
of it. However, if you are presenting thought out and
beneficial media, Flash is currently the quickest way
to do it. Denying that media plays a large role in
winning customers and attracting visitors will mean
quick demise for many web sites (there is the exception
when PURE business is necessary, as stated in the
above paragraph). Therefore, if a certain degree of
media is necessary for the majority of sites, and Flash
is the most efficient way of presenting that media, it
is clear that Flash is a tool which can in fact be
used to speed up a users web experience.

BRAD JENSEN WROTE:
> I consider the use of multimedia on a business site
> as a warning that the people don't know anything about
> the internet, and the site is run by goofballs.

The Internet is the same as the rest of the world. It
is simply a community of people (whether business or
_non-business_) and people enjoy being entertained. If
anyone disagrees with this statement, please take
television as an example. If media can draw people
like television can, why should it not be used for
businesses who_s sole purpose is to attract customers?

BRAD JENSEN WROTE:
> I've noticed that the high-authority sites are
> going to no frames, white page, minimal java.

Perhaps this is true for high-authority sites, but only
because authority sites are mostly, if not wholly
information/content driven. Business sites, however,
recognize the usefulness of media. Proof that media
(even in it_s simplest form_ the picture) is widely
used can be found at
http://www.coolhomepages.com/static/Corporate/1.html I
realize that pictures are not the same as Flash
animation and movies, but they amount to the same
thing when used correctly. If sensory stimulation in
general is beneficial to corporations, then why not
provide it quicker and (when appropriate) with more
power.

Happy Developing and Marketing,
Matt Bateman

------------------------------------
Matt Bateman
Mana Studios
Project Coordinator/Lead Developer

Phone: 1+780-418-0120
Email: bateman_m_at_hotmail.com
------------------------------------




Received on Tue May 02 2000 - 17:38:39 CDT