Flash Tip SWF in a Web Page

Flash Tip SWF in a Web Page

Flash is a powerful tool that offers developers huge capabilities. Until recently, developers mostly utilized Flash's strengths to create complex animations or fast-loading movies. However, the most recent versions of Flash offer developers power that's far beyond the tool's original scope.

With the advent of Flash MX, we've seen that developers have the power to create web applications with more sophisticated client- and server-side interactivity. When integrated with sophisticated server-side software like ColdFusion Server and JRun, Flash delivers the power and flexibility to become a serious contender in the web application space. Recently, we've been studying web applications that truly highlight Flash's benefits over traditional HTML-based applications. Web applications often involve users completing a process, or a series of steps to get something done. Among Flash's greatest strengths, we've seen that it offers users the ability to view all of the steps in the process in one visual display. Flash also enables users to attack the application steps in their own order. These strengths dramatically enhance the user experience by giving users control and understanding of an application that's not possible with traditional HTML. Displaying the Big Picture In our research, we've seen that Flash is a great tool for displaying a web application's user workflow. With HTML, users typically must access multiple screens to complete a web application process, with little to no control over the order of these steps. With Flash, developers can display all of the users' necessary steps on a single screen, giving users a "big picture" view of their workflow. To illustrate, Volkswagen's web site lets users configure their own car using the Build Your Own Car function implemented in HTML. Users can specify the type of engine, the color of the car's exterior and interior, and optional features. To configure a car, the interface requires users to click through five different screens. The problem is that users can't see how many steps are ahead of them. Users also don't know if they can easily go back and change their specifications. Choosing an interior trim that costs extra might be acceptable early in the process, but when a more preferable option comes later, users may want to change their interior again to reduce costs. What are Web safe fonts? Practically every personal computer has a set of fonts installed. These fonts are usually put there by the computer manufacturer or are the default sets of fonts for the operating system that computer is using. It's possible to install additional fonts on your own. However, not all font sets are created equal. Different computers can have very different sets of fonts installed, and most casual computer users never know the difference. As a designer, do you know where your work really fits in the process of design? We all love Web design. Looking at a blank white box on a computer screen and using only your mind's eye, a mouse, and a keyboard to transform it into a living, breathing Website is no minor feat, and there is undoubtedly a creative rush when it comes to doing something like this. Web design can be a strong artistic outlet and it inevitably brings with it the joy that comes with looking at your finished work and presenting it to others.