As a designer, I love the idea of Flash. An environment made for the Web. Complete control over the user's visual experience (well, as much as one could realistically hope for). It all sounds fantastic.

The problem? As a user, I just don't like it.

Why? I've been trying to pinpoint the source of my distaste for sites designed entirely in Flash, but so far I'm left with (the admittedly infuriating) 'I just don't.' When given the option I will always choose the non-Flash version of a site. Note to self: Are there numbers on this? Do companies assume people who choose non-Flash are doing so because they don't have Flash player or don't know they have Flash player or don't understand the choice...?

Perhaps it's because even the most professionally designed Flash sites still manage to fall victim to some of the obnoxious Flash-specific pitfalls. I think that's part of it, but no, there is something else...

Something to think about.

At any rate Flash is still an invaluable tool for some applications. For instance, illustrating a concept that is difficult to grasp using just words or static images or showing how something works. Which reminds me: Every company that produces a complex end-user product should be building online instruction manuals in Flash. A literal show and tell.

Dec. 15, 2002