I've come up with two concrete reasons behind my dislike of Flash since I last visited the topic:

1. Bookmarks only work on the machine you're using. I should note that I am far -- far -- from being a Flash expert, so it may be possible to make Flash bookmarks work universally, but I've yet to come across a Flash site that actually works this way. Linking to information on Flash sites is a burden if not impossible. And you can forget about sending URLs to friends, family, coworkers or maybe even yourself without detailed instructions on how to navigate to the intended information. (This can be quite a burden for inexperienced users.)

2. It seems to have a problem working on Mac OS 9.2 (what we're using at the office). Flash MX applications will not load. We (not sure if it's a problem on every machine but several for sure) get an error message saying we don't have the right plug-in along with a link to a plug-ins page that has no plug-ins. I've searched both Macromedia and Apple sites for the plug-in. Nada. Searched the Web. Found many other people also searching for this mystery plug-in, but no plug-in. After re-installing the Flash reader (from the Macromedia site) TWICE and still nada, I finally just gave up and now I go to Flash sites I NEED to use on the PC and the others can fall off the face of the earth for all I care, because I always have about a hundred more important things to deal with.

Granted, this may be a problem for only a small percentage of your users, but still I find it unacceptable to offer information only in Flash format -- ESPECIALLY on news sites. Even the absolute worst HTML site design will render for all users. It may not be available in the most accessible or most dazzling manner, but users can take away the information if they really need it. Even black text on black in a totally funked out table could eventually be read by highlighting the page or viewing source... if the Flash won't load, that's it. Game over.

UPDATE: An unusual set of circumstances forced me to revisit this problem today. After re-installing both explorer AND the Flash reader, Flash applications will finally load. I'm not sure if Macromedia actually updated the reader download or if it was the combination of re-installs, but I stand by my original conclusion. How many users will return to Macromedia to try again when the install doesn't work the first time? For that matter, how many will even know it's Flash which isn't loading? The error message doesn't say so. I suspect many will just assume the problem is with your site until they experience it over and over again on a number of sites. 4/2

March 31, 2003