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Is there any way around this? Like maybe merging two flash files for each page? (i.e. the page template with navigation is merged with the content, thereby appearing as 2 file accesses in the website's log)
Another question I have is, when using a 100% Flash website, what are ways to reduce the filesize? The website will have dozens of pages (including games and embedded video), and it wouldn't be ideal to load the entire site all at once...
Also, is it a good idea to have a 100% Flash website with no HTML-only alternative?
Finally, I'd like to be able to link directly to subpages within the site. Are there any alternative methods to implement this, other than creating specific Flash pages for each URL?
Responses are greatly appreciated.
Apologies that your post went unanswered for so long!
statistics on website usage
AFAIK, if you use one big movie for your site then all you will see is the number of visitors that accessed your site (or that file). No details of where they went in that movie.
However, if you request files (text, other swfs etc.) from that movie in different sections then that will be recorded and you can use it to track navigation around the Flash site.
when using a 100% Flash website, what are ways to reduce the filesize?
There are many ways of doing this (take a browser through the Forum here!) - however the one that I would say is to make sure that you images are optimised as much as possible and that you use (non-vector) images sparingly! The same goes for audio etc.
Also, is it a good idea to have a 100% Flash website with no HTML-only alternative?
No. I strongly recommend that you have an HTML alternative. Why? Search engines, users with special physical and sighted needs and low-bandwidth users.
So, don't be shy - add your thought! ;)
like most things it depends on your target market... if its a case of a portfolio site or a site which needs cutting edge design then yes its fine, if its a corporate then no...
We design 100% flash sites and you can bookmark parts of your site so the back button on the browser will go back to a marked point, not sure how a stats package would interpret that?
As for search engines if your calling in external text or xml just make sure a link to that file appears in a hidden div at the top of the page, the search engines can then spider it. Worst case place all the text in the flash file in a hidden div (display=none)as above, works fine for both screen readers and search engines.
Remember reading somewhere that flash can now be read by screen readers if certain actions are taken during site construction, see if i can dig it out later...
Is there any documentation on that feature of IE?
