Navigation javascript image rollovers

Is their time coming to an end?

[korkus2000]

I'm really tired of javascript image rollovers. I never really thought they helped usability of a site. The cursor changing to a hand should be enough of a visual clue that something is a link. I also never understood why it was worth the bandwidth to load more images then are needed to produce the gui.

I know many here probably use them. I also know many sites that use them that are large successful sites. I just don't think you get enough good for all of the bad. In Flash producing rollover effects is easy and doesn't really way down the load time (Hopefully you would have secondary html navigation for both Flash and image links). If you really want effects then I think this is where Flash can really add to your site. Javascript rollovers can't produce the animation experience a Flash navigation can.

So really what is the need? To me rollovers are just as bad as spash screens. As we move into a better web more and more people will be translating web pages. Image links can't be translated. Rollovers spawned the mystery meat navigation. I just don't really see the need. With CSS being able to effect states of text links I think the reason for image rollovers is diminishing.

So why keep them? What is the point? How does it enhance design?

[hakre]

it does enhance anything if javascript is not available in your browser or not enabled. it never did.