Simplicity In A Flash

I like to keep things simple. In fact I don’t know anybody that doesn’t, though I wonder why the government doesn’t get that concept? A lot of times you will hear people say, If it works, why break it? To me that’s just being lazy. I say, If it works, how can we make it better? or easier?

There are some people who would not touch Flash for anything in the world. They would rather stick to their tried and tested methods, which is perfectly fine. It took me quite some time before I started to learn HTML/CSS, as I had my start on the web with Flash. But I’ve always kept a passion alive for doing stuff with Flash, because sometimes it was just simpler to do.

When you’re working with Flash you don’t have to think about cross browser issues, virtually everyone can see it and, best of all, adding eye candy was just a few tweens or fade ins away {I know you are all pro’s today and would only use AS to do such things :-) }. Plus, there wasn’t the extra step of adding JS libraries or special markup to make things work in IE. So at times Yes, Flash is the simpler solution. But the web still depends on HTML and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Also, there is the fact that if you want to edit Flash content/design you either need to have the program itself or make sure your developer builds a really good admin area that you can control as any other CMS out there. Some of the Flash CMS offerings out there really don’t compare to say Drupal or WordPress for instance.

But, I am seeing more and more awesome things being done with Flash on a daily basis that just blows my mind. Usually it’s the simple applications of the software that work the best. Do you think YouTube would be as huge as it is if it showed videos with Windows Media Player? I can’t even begin to imagine that scenario.

How many FlashDenners here do more than just Flash? Or do you prefer to just use Flash for everything as it’s simple for you to build in?


11

Comments

Hyder

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  • Longhorn555 says:
    February 5, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Flash for the win!

  • SimplyDo says:
    February 5, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    I prefer flash over anything.
    A flash contact form for me is better than php contact form!
    I use flash in everything, I even used it for school and university presentations. I didn’t use powerpoint! The result was breath taken and ofcourse A++

  • Jurgenv says:
    February 5, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    I also do css/html and php/mysql. If I need to use a database I almost never make a website completely flashbased. It’s much easier to just write php code directly in your html than having to add a php page as an extra ‘middle man’ between the database and the flash app.

  • SimplyDo says:
    February 5, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    However
    i find dealing with flash/ php/mysql better.
    ok i get the point that it is easier to use php directly into html.
    However in flash it is easier to deal with the information in a more complex way!
    I build systems in flash that use php to extract and write into a database.
    Then in flash i build complex systems with ofcourse the glamor of flash (amazing animations with few codes).
    The result is a great website!

  • SparkyFlash says:
    February 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    I use HTML/CSS but my favor is certainly Flash and AS3.Its a great way to express yourself!

    Besides, I’m really glad there’s Flash Lite and hopefully Apple will allow Flash for iPhone as well. I just wish Flash would take over the web one day:)

  • FlashJunkie says:
    February 5, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    I am also fluent in PHP and using mysql and xml. But for front end i only use flash. i know very little html, the only html i know is the html i need to know as a flash developer. :)

  • CypherScience says:
    February 5, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    I use HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP/MYSQL, but ever since I got into Flash/AS3 it’s been my favorite. The variety of visual effects you can create blow JavaScript and all the rest out of the water. Obviously it isn’t suitable for everything, but it’s a massive boost to any web developer’s skill set.

    Similarly, understanding of HTML, JavaScript and PHP can be useful to a Flash user. In combination, you can create some really amazing things.

  • VF says:
    February 5, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    Flash is the best for frontend and also some times Flash-XML based apps saves a lot of time on light backend needs.

  • MSFX says:
    February 6, 2009 at 5:41 am

    I agree to really harness the web you need to know more technologies than Flash as the true power comes from integration..

    BUT I would only use those as back end and always have Flash on front end.

    I used to develop sites within PHP, testing in FF. Open in IE and it looks gash. With Flash you have more control over your content than any other language on the web… why would you say no to that?

    Its also got a higher % than anything else installed…

  • Tungsten74 says:
    February 7, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    If you will happen to study programming languages, you will realize that hundreds or thousands of them exists. Why so many?.. because each has its own specialty and intended use:)

  • mitomane says:
    February 10, 2009 at 7:59 am

    “When you’re working with Flash you don’t have to think about cross browser issues”

    regarding this, I always thougth it was true, but now I’m working on a new flash web site, entirely done in flash.

    I’ve tried to see the web page from a friend’s Mac using FireFox and Safari too, but I’ve seen that something is not working… At the moment I’m too busy to check it out, but I’ll do it soon…

    I have a preloader loading an external swf, but I’m not initializing correctly the swf file that I’m loading.

    This thing really surprised me.

    :P