First Blog

Meredith Helms

Subject: Flash from the Past, Helps Predict the Future

The article I found and read is called “Vision of Flash-based Web raises doubts”, and the subtitle “Flash Macromedia is lobbying for designers and Web-application developers to create entire pages in Flash. But detractors say such an approach could stifle innovation.” Explains the general gist of the article. Its an older piece, written April 1, 2002 by David Becker. Not the most recent of course, but I feel it is still relevant because it shows what was going on in the past, as compared to now days.

The article shows different opinions about the idea of creating entire flash-based webpages. Many people thought it would be a great idea, to eliminate having to refresh pages constantly, like it says “easier-to-use transaction sites with content that, through Flash-enabled browsers, can be updated selectively rather than having to redraw the entire page every time new data is submitted. Another pay-off is video clips that don't require a separate browser window.” But others disagreed.

I found it interesting all the different arguments. The strongest one I found was against the idea, saying
"If the Web becomes dependent on closed standards, be they Flash or RealAudio or Windows Media Player, then it becomes difficult for new browsers to be created, it becomes difficult to place the Web in embedded appliances, it becomes difficult to have any experience outside what those companies define," said Bruce Perens, a co-founder of the Open Source Initiative.
Which made sense to me. However, seeing as there are flash based pages out there, obviously somebody in a position to make such decisions thought it worth pursuing.

It goes to show that Flash, though a creative tool, is also a business, and has to be concerned with furthering its usage, to maintain its longevity. It’s a different perspective from the arguments of mainly creative standpoints; of whether it’s a good program, the best out there, and personal preferences. From a mainly business point of view, Flash is very successful. Seeing as in 2002, Flash was “Installed on more than 96 percent of PCs connected to the Internet, Macromedia's Flash player has become the de facto standard for running Web page animations, which in turn are generally created by Flash-conversant tools.”

All I all, Flash is a very useful and innovative program, and though not a recent event, I found this article interesting, a little flash into the past, if you will. It shows the growth and business behind the program. I have a feeling that Flash will always continue to grow and expand its presence on the web.