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Previous: Things that need to STOP | Main | Next: Amazon's "Kids & Family" list
June 1, 2005 12:03 AM
Broken: Flash fascism
Dmitry Nekrasovski points out a marketing communications company called McMillan that has the following get-lost message on its website for those rebellious users that don't use the latest version of Flash:
"We've detected that you simply aren't flashy enough to view this site. Please download the latest version of Flash so that you too can view the site that has changed the lives of millions of people forever."
Funny thing is, the company's slogan is... "McMillan listens."
"changed the lives of millions of people" .. but it doesn't say for the better or worse !
Personally I'm getting fed up with Flash sites that allegedly offer an HTML version only to find that it's out of date or incomplete..
Oh, and to add to the discussion about how bad this is:
In some environments, it's not even possible to install the latest version of Flash-- such as in a public computer lab where the plugins folders are writable only by administrators, for instance.
At least McMillan actually managed to detect that I have the latest version of Flash. I've seen some sites that couldn't even accomplish that.
Screw them. I'll just go to another website that doesn't force me to use Flash just to view their website. Definitely broken.
This may be a technique for screening customers. McMillian may not be interested in working with anyone who does not or cannot use the "latest technologies." They may also be trying to weed out the "anti-flash" crowd. (namely, us). I don't think this is a very sound business practice, but it certainly will help define their customer base.
what's so bad about flash? i can think of several good sites off the top of my head that use flash. and, i don't really see anything wrong with this you-don't-have-flash page.
weeding out the customer base? you can download it right there! with that get flash button!
anyway, everyone is talking about how flash stinks, and i don't really understand why. lots of sites make you use flash.
'McMillian may not be interested in working with anyone who does not or cannot use the "latest technologies."'
More to the point, they may not be interested in customers who prefer information over zowie sfx. Getting customers who are busy, discriminating and savvy would not be good for their business - wouldn't want anyone finding out that Macmillan is all about sizzle and not about bacon...
'McMillian may not be interested in working with anyone who does not or cannot use the "latest technologies."'
More to the point, they may not be interested in customers who prefer information over zowie sfx. Getting customers who are busy, discriminating and savvy would not be good for their business - wouldn't want anyone finding out that Macmillan is all about sizzle and not about bacon...
"what's so bad about flash?"
Flash is not bad; Flash allows bad developers to make bad websites easily.
"i don't really see anything wrong with this you-don't-have-flash page."
Then you're *really* in the wrong place!
"anyway, everyone is talking about how flash stinks, and i don't really understand why. lots of sites make you use flash."
That doesn't make it not bad, that means there's lots of bad developers out there.
I was going to list the hundred zillion reasons why Flash promotes suckingest web design, but there's really no point: Google this: "Why Flash Sucks" you will find hundreds of reasons why flash sites built with Flash are terrible.
Simply put, Flash has a place, and in its place, it does what it does very well, but it's abused beyond all sanity.
On a related note, sometimes when using Firefox the browser asks you to install a plugin to view a site. This is all fine, except that the plugin fails to install and downloads to an install program instead, which, when you run it, does not give the option to install the plugin in Firefox...
Arright, DaveC84586. I guess you're right. We've already seen terrible flash (Sr. Incenpr was Flash, wasn't he?)
Maybe i'm brain-dead, but can someone explain to me in monosyllabic words what's wrong with this picture? (gimme a break!)
Bob, the site may not stink, but this flash-detection page does. Specifically, the language and tone of the page.
Telling someone they are not 'flashy enough' to use their site is not the way to get people interested in their company. So, it will tick off customers who may not have Flash installed, and it will drive those customers away from their site...both broken experiences.
I might add that while Flash penetration is (claimed to be) rather high, on corporate computers, Flash is often not installed or prohibited. And since this company ostensibly markets its wares and services to corporate clients, this is just plain bad business.
Build a robust HTML alternative, or at least provide a No Flash page that is not rude.
Oh, is that it? I thought the 'Not flashy' thing was not a particularly good pun, but not that bad. Alright, i understand now.
I always use Flash for my website, but just because it's great with animations. I never thought people hated Flash so much...
"I always use Flash for my website, but just because it's great with animations. I never thought people hated Flash so much..."
This is where Flash does its thing - discrete, animated spots WITHIN a page.
Designers who use it to build any major part of the their site are just asking for big trouble.
Jello, people don't hate Flash, per se. They hate broken user experiences.
Unfortunately, Flash is often implemented in a way that results in a broken user experience.
The more powerful the tool, the more careful the implementation should be. Unfortunately, Flash is often implemented without much consideration for the end user.
To those who do hate Flash: used properly, it can provide an extremely positive user experience that might be impossible to recreate in straight HTML. As an example, see http://www.becominghuman.org
These people need to pray for humility. If they ask for it sincerely, God will give it to them. He's very generous that way, and it could only help their business.
I've had the same problem with .pdfs and internet cafe computers.
Or how about an insane site that complains that I don't have flash--when in reality I have a version of flash more recent than what the detector expects.
I think that what I most object to is the snotty tone of the message. If you want my business, you treat me with at least a minimum of respect. Being "cute" with a potential customer who doesn't appreciate it is a sure-fire way of losing a sale.
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Previous: Things that need to STOP | Main | Next: Amazon's "Kids & Family" list
Agreed. Requiring Flash and having no fallback path is broken. The sense of humour of the person who wrote that message is also broken.
Posted by: Steven at June 1, 2005 12:34 AM