Slashdot

I, and others, continually harp on the use of Flash on the intertubes. Everything, it seems, now must use Flash. Even if you're showing one picture, you have to use Flash. Jpeg, gif, bmp, tiff, all are verboten.

Now, for some unknown reason, my mutual fund company has decided to make their opening page essentially Flash-only. Go to www.janusfunds.com and see what I mean. If you have Flash, disable it or uninstall it before going there.

Now, as a normal investor, how am I supposed to be able to get to my account? I can't. There is no link available for me to use. I must use Flash, with all its known security issues, to get into my account.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

As of this date, I will henceforth work towards the destruction of Flash on all web pages. For all you uber-web designers who think you're being hip and cutting edge for using Flash on the front page of a web site, think again. You're morons. Read my lips: Flash has absolutely, positively, no use being the only way to access a web page. It is utterly backwards and imbecilic to think that people should have to sit through an animation when all they want is a link to whatever.

Yes, I will be writing to Janus and letting them know how utterly pathetic this new change is and what an insult it is to everyone who simply wants to click a link and get about their business. What about people who have sight problems and have to use screen readers? Congratulations Janus, you've just prevented them from getting into your site.

Flash must die. Now. People better hope I never get into a position where I can dictate policy on web design because the first words out of my mouth will be: If Flash is used as a means to access information, you will be fired. No exceptions.

Flash is the new blink tag and must be treated as such. It must be excised from every page when possible. Hackers of the world unite! Kill Flash in all its incarnations. Bring down the servers, burn the buildings, crucify web designers who use Flash! Go now my minions and do my bidding!!!!! (Note how ticked off I am by the use of five exclamation points)

end rant