[LINK] Microsoft's Flash

[Ivan Trundle]

On 04/08/2007, at 11:10 AM, Howard Lowndes wrote:

>> Take a look at Apple's American website for how it's possible to  
>> implement lots of useful (and not so useful) - and flashy - code  
>> without resorting to Flash/Silverlight.
>
> ....it uses a Quicktime plugin - which is proprietary - so where is  
> the advantage?

It does to display movies, but the UI and navigation no longer relies  
on Flash, or any other plugin.

Try http://www.apple.com/mac/ as an example. Clicking and beginning  
to type in the search box gives dynamic search results, hovering over  
right-sidebar gives instant display. All using CSS and javascript.

The point that I was trying to make is that it's possible to enhance  
the user experience without resorting to Flash or Silverlight.

How well does Flash/Silverlight work for those who don't have/don't  
use plugins? Or for people with handicaps? From my experience in web  
delivery and UI development, Flash is a nightmare with inconsistent  
results and unpredictable in function and output. It also confuses  
the hell out of anyone over 30. But it's great for packaging some  
games, or mindless eye-candy.

iT