[WEB4LIB] Re: Flash vs HTML

[Pinkham, Lida]

We have a site where Flash is used pretty pervasively - at least 50%, but we
felt it was the best tool to reach our goal - multimedia stories and
activities for kids. Have you seen storyplace? http://www.storyplace.org

We also just developed a tour of our services using Flash:
http://www.plcmc.org/multimedia/default.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Dowling [mailto:tdowling at ohiolink.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 10:14 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Flash vs HTML


At 08:58 AM 4/8/2002, Jeremy Foster wrote:
>...The same thing is found with any product, technology or service. Why 
>would we need a 5 Star hotel if we only wanted what a 3 star has to 
>offer?...There will always be advances in technology and there will always 
>be earily adapters, mainstream adapters, "if I have to" adapters and then 
>those that say..
>"What's wrong with still using Netscape 1.1N?".


These statements reinforce a misconception that Flash is, in some way, a 
step beyond HTML, something better than HTML, something that performs the 
same function but at a 5-star rather than a 3-star level.

That is not true, and this sort of argument is what raises the hackles of 
web designers who have to field "let's make a Flash version!" 
requests.  Considering that accessibility requirements alone [ought to] 
require developers to duplicate a Flash site with a parallel, gracefully 
degrading HTML site, Flash development is often more effort than people 
realize.

A technology like Flash has its purposes in specific, tightly defined 
applications.  IMO, it seldom or never should be used pervasively across a 
site.  And we would all do well to look at open, non-binary alternatives 
such as SVG and/or SMIL (yes, I know that those are not yet support one 98% 
of all browsers, or whatever figure Macromedia claims).



Thomas Dowling
OhioLINK - Ohio Library and Information Network
tdowling at ohiolink.edu