Increasingly, as more and more people surf on broadband connections, I think Flash sites and animations will gain greater acceptance. For surfers on broadband, I think Flash will enhance their surfing experience.

hehe thats true. I really dislike them too. I think you really dont need those pictures moving everywhere dancing singing and making the webmaster think he has done some thing great. I only like to wait for online flash games, not for a website waiting for that bar to go on to 100 %. But flash can be handy if used wisely like some of you have already said. But sites dependent totaly on flash really piss me off.

well you need flash playe for most things like games so must of the time you will already have Flash Player installed. The thing about coping if good and bad. It means people can't steal your work without having to type it out but you ahve to type it all in yourself is the main problem.

flash sites that load forever are not good even though they can be good, dynamic sites. Splicing the site would cut down on some loading time.

i think it's a good way of designing a webpage... you say it takes forever to load.. but when it's fully loaded u don't have to wait for nothing more... php and html.. and all codes in general take fewer time to load ONE page... but it would take "forever" to load teh entire contents....

that's why full flash sites are good for company sites (not so many information cantained in it).. making it enjoyable to see (even if is dull data).. jeje

These sites a very good for artists pages... u can take full advantage of media settings...

in general. For each necesitie there's a solution.. full flash sites are not meant for every need...

Right on, right on! The first thing that interested me in flash was its ability to animate!! Sure, it's great for graphic designers, but what about those closeted animators? Homestar Runneris all flash!! If only there were more like that out there... To limit Flash to measly intros is so stifling, I think!

Flash IS accsessible to anyone..it is a free download!

The main advantage to flash that I think will only make it more and more popular as more and more people get faster connection is this:

When you create an application for the web or for windows (linux, ect) you have three main layers. 1)Presentation layer 2)Application Layler 3) Data layer.

Let us say that I have a guest book. I can view the guestbook, and I can post to the guestbook. As the owner, I can edit the guestbook.

When I click on the veiw guestbook button, the application layer goes to the data layer, pulls up the data, parses it and then sends it to the presentaion layer for display. Same thing happens when I add an entry. Presentation, Application, Data, Application, Presentation. Each of these is a call to the server.

In flash, my presentation layer and my application layer are contained in one single flash file. Once it loads, it is loaded and all of the application calls are run from the client side rather than the server.

thnk that flah sites are cool if they don't have too much stuff, personally i think they an be hard to navigate.. and i like to have flash /html veiwing options.

Here is my opinion on the use of flash sites and how i feel about visiting them, for what its worth.

Flash is a good program. But it does have more uses to it than the construction of a completley visual-oriented site that takes forever to load. If you have a faster internet connection, and/or a few minutes of time, it does look nice. From a viewers perspective, It is more or less impressive and professional looking. It seems every fashion designer site is using flash extensivley (http://www.robertocavalli.com). I'd recommend an all-flash site for someone who has little content, but more pictures and sounds. But if you're trying to reach a broad audience with information, I'd advise using less flash. I find that a flash site is more annoying to update, even using macromedia.

Personally, I like to combine flash with html and other scripts. It is quicker loading, it allows the presentation of more information and content than a full flash site, and still could have the professional look and feel to it.

If you guys want to see a really cool site entirely developed in flash - and boasts some really snazzy flash effects, try this:

http://www.eye4u.com

Once you are there follow the links till you get to their main menu and THEN, check out the SHOWCASE they have - these guys have designed the flash sites for some BIG companies around the world.. Their showcase is worth spending HOURS ... they display some innovative blend of technique and colors..
Have fun