[WEB4LIB] RE: Applications of Flash on library web sites...

[Tripp, Tim]

I really hadn't intended to start a debate on the evils of animation, though
I must say I'm not surprised that one broke out.  I'm well aware of the
dangers of bad design, and how funky tools like Flash tend to promote it.
I'll even buy Jakob Nielsen's assertion that 99% of Flash utilization on the
web is bad.  

My question, largely the same as it was originally, but slightly rephrased
in light of the Neilsen column, is, "Can anyone point me to that 1% that is
GOOD?"  Now THAT would be helpful.

As always,

Tim


--

Tim Tripp 
Clinical Decision Support, Project Manager
University Health Network
Suite 201, 700 Bay Street
Toronto, ON Canada M5G 1Z6
http://www.uhealthnet.on.ca/
Voice : (416) 340-5266
Fax : (416) 340-3391
Work : tim.tripp at uhn.on.ca
Home : ttripp at sympatico.ca
http://www.timtripp.com/


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Thomas Dowling [SMTP:tdowling at ohiolink.edu]
> Sent:	Thursday, November 02, 2000 10:09 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	[WEB4LIB] RE: Applications of Flash on library web sites...
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nancy Sosna Bohm" <plum at ulink.net>
> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 1:39 AM
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: Applications of Flash on library web sites...
> 
> 
> > He's right, of course, and I'm about to stick my foot in it again, but
> it's
> > late and I can't resist:
> > Doesn't "flash encourages gratuitous animation" sound a little too far
> > right?
> >
> 
> Jakob Nielsen doesn't get paid to offer wishy-washy opinions.
> 
> I believe that 99% of all animation on the web is both gratuitous and a
> detriment to usability and accessibility, so I have no problem with
> criticizing flash for encouraging more of it.  Where a case can be made
> that animation is the one best solution to a clearly defined problem, and
> where a case can be made that flash is the one best source for that
> animation, different rules apply.  But then, that wouldn't be gratuitous.
> 
> 
> Thomas Dowling
> OhioLINK - Ohio Library and Information Network
> tdowling at ohiolink.edu