To flash or not to flash is the question....

[hostnuclear]

I come across many websites using flash media or flash opening type movies and similar drawn out opening scenes.

the truth is I have cable connection and sometimes even with the speed I don't bother to watch them.

In Australia we have a 1 gig limit on our normal cable internet connection and we have to watch our downloads, apart from this is the fact many people I know are still using 33k modems and I know how long it takes to download even 250 kilobytes with that, when I use frontpage it has a handy feature that tells you as you build a page how long that page would take to load using a 56k modem.

this makes me aware of how many and what size graphics I can use on any page, let alone an opening movie.

So the question is do you use these movies when building your websites?

Or now I have mentioned this does this make any difference to whether you would include them in your next production?

[Crabby]

I have a few acquaintances at a large web design house (90+ employees) in Baltimore (some of them do volunteer work at our school). The firm does major sites for national organizations. A small site to them is 20,000+.

They only have one Flash Developer out of 90 employees. That should tell us something about the general use of Flash. :wink:

[BloodlessPharaoh]

I do not use Flash.

It slows down the load.

If your customers on hight-speed internet access, then it's okay. But if not, then don't use that. People will go away.

If you see on the survey. People do not wait more than 6 seconds to see a page to load.

After passing 6 seconds, they leave and never come back. :)

[Crabby]

Also ...

Flash is not yet "Search Engine Friendly" - no text to be indexed as content...

[Omni]

Crabby is right 8)

Also, forgot where I got it from, someone mentioned that about 80% of the Internet users are on low-speed connection :idea:

[smidwap]

I would say it depends on the introduction; how long it is, what kind of graphics are used, etc. If it's a simple Flash intro with some text and music, it could be worth a 5-15 second wait for some people. Also, you should have a [Skip Intro] button in your Flash param if you do use it, and/or have a Non-Flash link in your site. Just some tips from the professional :lol: .

[hostnuclear]

So guys maybe at the corporate end of the scale they use it, but what would you use as an opening page for a website?

nice picture with all white around it?
index to the site?
well laid out combo of small pics and text?
some kind of media presentation?

opinions please!

hostnuclear

[smidwap]

Yeah, I guess you could ask for opinions, however it's kinda hard for me to give an opinion. Simply because it really all depends on what kind of site you have or what your expected audience is.

In my opinion, because I sell virtual hosting, I would have to go with the index to the site. (I think this just means showing your main page first.) I wouldn't fool around with all kinds of fancy introductions to a hosting site.

If you do have a introduction (welcome) page, I suggest setting a cookie in the user's computer stating that they have visited the welcome page and should always skip to the main page. Just my thoughts.

[billofwrites]

I think the main reason for Flash is to impress the boss. I just don't think anyone who wants to get information or do business wants to stop to watch a Flash blurb. Even if it is amusing the first time, you hate it by the third time you visit the site.

This is why we record TV shows and fast-forward past the ads.

[billofwrites]

Still a lot of people want Flash on their site and are willing to pay people to do it. It is kind of like a necktie. It serves no practical purpose, but we all feel we must have one. Hope I've not offended any Flash fans--just my personal opinion about being Flashilated.

[hostnuclear]

oh

[hostnuclear]

Yeah, I guess you could ask for opinions, however it's kinda hard for me to give an opinion. Simply because it really all depends on what kind of site you have or what your expected audience is.

In my opinion, because I sell virtual hosting, I would have to go with the index to the site. (I think this just means showing your main page first.) I wouldn't fool around with all kinds of fancy introductions to a hosting site.

If you do have a introduction (welcome) page, I suggest setting a cookie in the user's computer stating that they have visited the welcome page and should always skip to the main page. Just my thoughts.

smidwap

that was a good opinion for a person who finds it hard to give an opinion. lol.

as to setting cookies can you recomend a utility to do that?
hostnuclear.

[smidwap]

smidwap

that was a good opinion for a person who finds it hard to give an opinion. lol.

as to setting cookies can you recomend a utility to do that?
hostnuclear.

Nice double post, BTW.

You know you can use javascript to do this. You can probably find a javascript to set a cookie at www.javascriptsource.com. However, I am sure you'll need to know a little bit about javascript to set some variables, etc.

Another alternative is to use a php or cgi script. You could make index.php or index.cgi under httpdocs (or whatever it is) and have the program set a cookie and print out the html code for your introduction.

If you would like for me to create a simple script for you I would be pleased. Just drop me an email or PM.