Comment Re:I agree (Score 1) 522
I do agree with you that Flash is not the ideal technology for document and data distribution
But, the "web" is not just a document distribution system. It is THE interface to the internet for 99% of the populace. Also, the average person does not want to have to download and install software.
The web creates an environment where you can update your software without having to have people return to your site and download the updates (or write complex self updating code). Your data can be live and people can interact with a community of individuals. There are so many benefits to writing applications in a browser. I feel like most web developers will understand this, and I am not going to go into every one of them right now.
I entered my professional life as a Client/Server C++/Oracle developer. As time went on, I realized that the browser (and consequently, the web) is a great replacement for traditional Client/Server technology. I looked into many technologies and, at the time, found that HTML and scripting languages were the only viable solutions at the time. They left me wanting more, since no longer could the interface be as dynamic and consequently it made the software harder to use than it had to be and the user suffered. I looked into Java: not enough cohesion between platforms; not enough client installs; too slow. I looked into Flash: (version 4) horriblke scripting environment; nearly impossible to incorporate dynamic data. And HTML and modern app servers improved. Now, Flash has greatly improved and with version 6, most of my concerns have been addressed. You can now actually build a piece of software in Flash that uses the browser, that most of the populace can get to and run fast, that is not limited by HTML, and therefore can present a better and more usable UI.
Also, Flash is not an animation tool anymore. It is an application developemtn environment. Building something in Flash does not mean "animation".
Of course if you are against "software on the web". Nothing I say will result in anything positive.
I hope you can read my response without feeling the need to attack me. I present an opinion that is just an opinion. I am not trying to personally attack you, just trying to get my thoughts out there.
Thanks,
Nate
As the programming world changes, you must adapt or you will be left behind.
But, the "web" is not just a document distribution system. It is THE interface to the internet for 99% of the populace. Also, the average person does not want to have to download and install software.
The web creates an environment where you can update your software without having to have people return to your site and download the updates (or write complex self updating code). Your data can be live and people can interact with a community of individuals. There are so many benefits to writing applications in a browser. I feel like most web developers will understand this, and I am not going to go into every one of them right now.
I entered my professional life as a Client/Server C++/Oracle developer. As time went on, I realized that the browser (and consequently, the web) is a great replacement for traditional Client/Server technology. I looked into many technologies and, at the time, found that HTML and scripting languages were the only viable solutions at the time. They left me wanting more, since no longer could the interface be as dynamic and consequently it made the software harder to use than it had to be and the user suffered. I looked into Java: not enough cohesion between platforms; not enough client installs; too slow. I looked into Flash: (version 4) horriblke scripting environment; nearly impossible to incorporate dynamic data. And HTML and modern app servers improved. Now, Flash has greatly improved and with version 6, most of my concerns have been addressed. You can now actually build a piece of software in Flash that uses the browser, that most of the populace can get to and run fast, that is not limited by HTML, and therefore can present a better and more usable UI.
Also, Flash is not an animation tool anymore. It is an application developemtn environment. Building something in Flash does not mean "animation".
Of course if you are against "software on the web". Nothing I say will result in anything positive.
I hope you can read my response without feeling the need to attack me. I present an opinion that is just an opinion. I am not trying to personally attack you, just trying to get my thoughts out there.
Thanks,
Nate
As the programming world changes, you must adapt or you will be left behind.
