Quick Links: May 12, 2005

Netscape redesigns portal using all Flash
How the "Gamer Generation" is reshaping business
Cool Pepsi/Nintendo promotion in Japan

Comments

[chan]

I've already said all this in email, but this has become one of my crusades lately & I'm curious if this will get a comment thread going. :)

I think choosing Flash for a portal redesign/entire site design is deeply flawed thinking, and indicative of the disconnect I see growing in marketing.

The flash version of their page takes my machine 8-11 seconds to load (best case) every time I visit. All to load standard html pages into an "improved" interface (bevels & animations).

Want to bookmark a story, or forward to a friend? That's touch & go - the flash URL don't change & right clicking a link in the flash UI tells you about Flash 7.

I maintain that Flash is well-suited to 'experience' sites, and that there are few cases that benefit from an 'experience' (online learning would be one).

I sent this link via email as well, but just to post:

http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2001/nt_2001_09_24_fast_download.htm

I agree with the gist of this article: the public uses the net for information, not experiences. Those that are most interested in experiences are the designers and marketers themselves. It, honestly, seems like marketing vanity to me.

If marketers want to reach the public, they're better served finding ways to provide valuable (*and attractive, *and usable) information to their consumers rather than looking for ways to add extra whiz to their bang.

/rant.

[David Grant]

Agreed. Poor usage of Flash.
And everything that won't fit in their little Flash-wrapped content area pops up in a new window.