What happens if Flash takes over the net.

Sure, there are drawbacks to it now but...

[Conscientious Reject]

I think about it all the time flash is so cool looking and easy. One thing that keeps me from using it fully is that it's not very browser friedly - sort of on it's own program. There really isn't much that remain practical withit but can anyone foresee this being fixed? And if so why the heck do I continuelly bang my head up against a wal trying to understand languages like JavaScript?

[netchicken1]

I think Flash will never do more than provide glitz. The reason is hyperlinks in it can't be indexed in search engines nor can text.

Until then it will be just another addon to a website, to be used sparingly, if google manages to overcome those issues THEN its time to learn a new tool as it will really take off.

Its also a bugger to download on 56K

[larryhatch]

I think Brittney Spears will take over Spearmint Gum before Flash takes over the net. -Larry

[Bernard Marx]

And if so why the heck do I continuelly bang my head up against a wal trying to understand languages like JavaScript?

Because everything still needs to be scripted. For basic bahaviour, if you don't want to learn Javascript, you can get a package like DW to write it for you. Similarly, the Flash package will do things for you, but if you want complicted behaviour in Flash you will have to start scripting it - in ActionScript, which is ECMA Script too.

[bedlam]

I think Flash will never do more than provide glitz. The reason is hyperlinks in it can't be indexed in search engines nor can text.

Google has been able to access some parts of flash-based sites for almost four years since it was first reported here [google.com]...

-B

[Conscientious Reject]

To tell you guys the truth. I am just a little intimidated. I love javascript, but it is not easy. I guess, I am worried that one day I will finally start getting this stuff, but by that time I'll be competing with third graders who know Flash. Right now, I think scripting languages are so hip, because you can tuck them neatly inside your melon, without being dependent on software. Knowing these things makes us more mobile, so to speak. That is why I think programming is so cool. But what if that is totally taken away. I mean, wouldn't that suck. Being stuck at home because you can't take the game to the road, and still win.

[Conscientious Reject]

still, with so many innovations like php, rss, and other languages that all branch off of the basics. I do think Flash sites have a long way to go. But maybe Flash could diversify. Imagine ... giving us the abilitity to create a basic but dynamic template at home with the new software. But giving us the ability to access every thing in it using scripting languages, without having to use the actual software.

[rocknbil]

I think Flash will never do more than provide glitz.

This is soooo untrue. The only reason you have this impression is because this is as far as most developers take it. "Woo hoo I can make things blink and move, I'm a superstar . . . ."

Flash is an EXTREMELY rich programming environment that does things no other web app can do. It can connect to external or local data sources; it can compile it's own functions and programs; the resources used by it can expand and contract on demand (i.e., import two images or 100;) it can use shared resources, and export it's own resources for sharing by other applications; it can pass data both directly to and from a server AND communicate directly to a page via Javascript. Basically you have a rich programming environment very similar to Javascript with a complete vector-oriented graphic interface. The possibilities are endless.

Also, C. Reject, a correctly build Flash can do exactly what you ask in your last post - accept external parameters to perform an internal configuration. An example is someone wanted a slide show with fades and such, but didn't want to buy Flash, and wanted the ability to change his own pics without paying me each time (sound familiar? :-) ) So I build an upload system with a Flash object that imported the data on demand. Haven't heard from him in months and he changes the pics weekly. :-)

The problem is that it's greatest application seems to be using it to replace tools and widgets we already have, tools that function just fine (such as navigation systems, graphics, etc.) Like the original sin of web movement, the animated gif, Flash as been grossly abused in such quantities as to totally mislead it's purpose and abilities. Neilsen's recent top ten list at alertbox even simplifies the accusation by saying Flash is Bad. Period. Well, he's wrong, IMO.

But it will never take over the 'net for precisely the reasons mentioned above: the majority of designers have neither the patience or moxy to go any further than making things move across the page, so the majority of it's applications will be trite at best. But Flash is a gem in the rough, in the right hands.

[Bernard Marx]

..that does things no other web app can do

I'm sure there's a couple, rocknbil, but I can't think of any right now.