Apparently now Google can search into Flash files. No news on other search engines being able to get under the hood in flash but it seems to be an indication of good news.
Very much a 12 hour decision but I think I’m going to change the proposed development and delivery platform to Adobe Flash Light. See: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashlite/
Reasons. I know flash and how simple it made rich media on the Internet and have confidence in the company. Its about leveraging existing technology. Flash is installed on 98% of consumer desktop computers (Adobe Flash Lite 2.1 datasheet)
Next, Flash is simple to code as any web developer will tell you. Its a build one and deploy to any platform technology and that means its potentially got enormous potential for market penetration while maintaining low development costs.
Negatives appears to be less current impact on the mobile gaming market but this may also work for our game as we’re ready to run with a new technology and may be able to gain first mover advantage.
Anyhow, here are some of the quotes.
Flash Lite 2.x supports loading and parsing of external XML data in Flash content using the same XML handling methods as Flash Player 7. Adobe Flash Lite 2.0 FAQ
Flash Lite 2.x supports the ability to locally store and retrieve relevant, application-specific information such as preferences, high scores, usernames, etc. This provides a much more robust development environment. Adobe Flash Lite 2.0 FAQ
Flash Lite 2.x enables dynamic loading of multimedia content such as images, sound and video, based on supported codecs available on the device. This includes loading and handling XML data and SWF content. Flash Lite 2.x also provides video support and external multimedia support. This includes in place video as well as image loading (gif jpeg, png w/ transparency) and audio loading. Adobe Flash Lite 2.0 FAQ
Flash Lite 2.x enables users to modify text color, size, and other properties at run time, providing improved display and handling of fonts. OEMs can also choose to embed vector fonts into their applications which is used to render text. Flash Lite 2.x also supports rendering of text in right-to-left languages such as Arabic and Hebrew. Adobe Flash Lite 2.0 FAQ
CIO FLASH in the Online PLAN: “Because more US consumers are accessing the Internet with broadband, e-commerce Web sites can make the most of Flash and Ajax and other technologies to make sites more engaging and easier to use. Those technologies can also help increase sales. To see how three leading-edge companies – Timberland, Ikea and Manheim – are doing it, go ”
I used to own one of these dot com companies once upon a time. Rich Internet experience like using flash was great for creatives but its a line that needs to be walked carefully.
I remember when we lost the Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race website to another developer who delivered the whole thing in Flash, a single downloadable file measuring around 1 Meg in size… Unfortunately in 2002 widespread broadband was just a glint in the eyes of the telcos and the new site was obviously going to be a flop, we came in and reworked our last years stuff to get something happening for Telstra but it taught me a valuable lesson… be selective about rich technology.
Our Sydhob site had basic news reports, skeds (yacht positions), some data on each yacht like pictures and crew, and an interactive map showing current (well actually recent) position. Most of that content was better served as strait old html pages, the interactive maps were the special thing that needed to be interactive with web users.
Anyhow, have a read of the article, its not something I particularly agree with but thats nothing new.
Refs:
Levinson, Meridith.; 5/Apr/2006; Flash in the Online Plan.; CIO Magazine.; Viewed 24/Mar/2007 at http://www.cio.com.au/index.php/id;505696748;fp;4;fpid;4Â
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