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[18/12/2009] What is flash and what can I do with it?
Adobe Flash (earlier Macromedia Flash) is a multimedia rich browser independent vector-graphic animation technology. Flash was actually designed and developed under the name of FutureSplash Animator by FutureWave Corp. It was acquired by Macromedia in 1996 but is currently marketed under Adobe.Flash is the most preferred technology used to create animations, advertisements and various other Flash components such as buttons, menus and integrating videos into webpages. Flash works on manipulating vector and raster graphics and works in a cohesive manner with bidirectional streaming of audio and video. A Flash presentation can grab the attention of the prospect in quite an interesting manner. This can be mixed with perfect visuals and audio experience to make the presentation's message to be deep and leave a lasting impression in the minds of potential customers.
Flash also consists of ActionScript, a scripting language used to control various aspects of the components. Flash files are usually in SWF(ShockWave Flash) Format. These files can be flash movies or flash games. Flash videos generally have .flv extension and can be played in any flv-conscious player such as VLC, QuickTime and Windows Media Player.
In the hands of a right visual effects designer Flash can create pure magic in whichever manner it is used. Let it be creating multimedia such as Flash animation for your website or creating a small movie which passes a message to the audience, you name it and Flash is capable of presenting the information to the user in a more appalling manner.
ON the webpages, Flash is generally used to created Logos, Banners and other visually appeasing components. Flash when embedded in HTML web pages can add more color and life to a dull and static website. Information can be passed on to the clients and customers in the form of visually appealing charts, striking diagrams or images using Flash.
Flash, if used in a right perspective does provide enthralling experience to the viewer or audience. But, placing Flash components unnecessarily does deviate the attention of the viewer. The interactive features which were actually supposed to serve the audience would ultimately become a nuisance if Flash is done excessively. If in the wrong hands, it can degrade the value of the website and well as the brand image of the company.
Many web designers and web masters are extremely cautious in the usage of Flash on their websites. The loading times and repeated display of the same graphics to the regular visitors are often considered to be a hinderance. So, most of the flash presentations or splashes on the home page of the websites are often attached with a "Skip Intro" button to enable the visitors to cut down on the flash visual presentation and move on to the content.websites
