Introduction to Flash

The Adobe Flash Player is a plugin for web browsers that will allow you to see Flash content. Adobe Flash Professional is the web designer's tool for creating Flash based content.

In order to see Flash content you must download and install the Flash Player which will then add it's functionality to your browser. The Flash Player is available as a free download more Adobe's web site and can be found on the cover disc's of all popular computer magazines.

The majority of those who use the internet will have Flash installed on their machine. Most machines come with Flash pre-installed along with your web browser. The problem is that if people don't have Flash they will not be able to see you site.

Download the latest version of the Flash Player

Advantages of Flash

• Flash is a vector based program which is ideal for creating very small files.
• Smaller files load fast.
• Flash also allows the use of more colours, and smoother gradients.
• Text and logos will look sharper.
• Flash is perfect for adding animations and effects for buttons.
• Flash is a very small download (at this time the current version is somehwere over 200k - which will download in just over a minute).
• Flash can incorporate photographs, movies and sound.
• By using Flash to produce streaming video you can reach a greater audience than if you were using QuickTime or Windows Media files.

Disadvantages of Flash

• Web site's which rely on Flash for most of their content/navigation may find they are very inaccessible to disabled users.
• If your target audience lack knowledge of computers or the internet then the process of downloading files and installing them may be frightening.
• People may have an older version of Flash installed and may not wish to keep upgrading to the newest version.
• Large complex animations can mean people have to wait while your site loads. While you page loads people may be tempted to go elsewhere.
• Whole web site's designed in Flash make the browser's navigational buttons (back, forward, etc) ususable.
• Flash content will not be detected by search engines.
• Content in flash is not  very ccessible, even though there have been a number of improvements over the years, if you provide a flash-based item you usually have to include some alternative form of content.
  

What is Shockwave?

The Adobe Shockwave Player is best thought of as being the bigger brother to the Flash Player. Shockwave is a bigger download, but is more powerful and can create more advanced web animations/CD-ROM multimedia presentations.

Download the latest version of the Shockwave Player

Summary

Flash can make your site stand out from the crowd but should be used carefully.

Some designers will use nothing but Flash for their webpages, and often this means you only have one page, which holds the flash file. A common trend was to have a flash or 'broadband' website alongside a standard HTML site. This allows for search engines and people without flash to browse your content while people with flash get so-called 'special 'treatment.
We believe flash should be integrated into an existing website and used only where appropriate.

Many sites use Flash for their homepage or entry page. This usually means that you must watch their animation before you can enter their site.
This can help you lose potential customers who don't have time to watch any lengthy introductions.

Flash is still a very powerful and exciting technology which allows your web site to do things not possible with simple HTML code.