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"Beyond
the Bells and Whistles:
A Practical Look at Macromedia's Flash and Its Usability for Libraries" Heidi N. Abbey, Art & Design Library University of Connecticut Libraries |
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July/August
2000
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Introduction
Multimedia applications have become pervasive on the Web. It would not be an exaggeration, in fact, to state that the Web is giving birth to an online multimedia revolution. This is due in part to the rapid development of better and faster computers, the increasing availability of high-speed Internet access, and the ongoing design of user-friendly software with which almost anyone---expert and novice alike---can quickly create and/or view a sophisticated and media-rich website. One of the most revolutionary multimedia technologies to take the web design community by storm in recent years has been Macromedia's Flash. When it first premiered in 1996, Flash was then an unknown program and plug-in called FutureSplash that enabled designers to add simple animated graphics to their websites. Today, renamed and redesigned, Flash has evolved into a powerful web authoring tool and application which is not only redefining the art of interface design, but also dynamically changing the online experience worldwide. As libraries and information professionals increasingly rely upon the Web to communicate with and educate users, Flash has the potential to facilitate the efficient and evocative delivery of web-based information and services.
What is Flash?
Macromedia, Inc., the owner and current developer of Flash's proprietary technology, defines its product as "the Web standard for vector graphics and animation." In other words, Flash is a tool that many web developers use to create still and motion graphics, more commonly called Flash files or Shockwave Flash movies.
Flash software consists of two important elements: 1) an authoring tool or Flash Editor, which enables designers to create a movie that can be synchronized with digital audio; and 2) a plug-in or Flash Player, that allows a web browser to display the movie to users. The native file format for Flash movies, created in the Flash Editor, is ".fla." But, in order to be viewed on the Web, users must have the Flash Player and Flash movies must be exported to the Shockwave Flash (.swf) format---not to be confused with another Macromedia file format called Shockwave, which describes the multimedia content created using Macromedia's Director.
Flash is an especially important multimedia authoring tool because all Flash content is created using vector graphics, one of the two predominant digital image formats found on the Web. The vast majority of web images are either bitmapped or vector graphics.
Bitmapped Graphics
Bitmaps or raster graphics (e.g., gifs and jpegs) are composed of bits and bytes, arranged in a set ratio of rows and columns, which form pixels. Bitmapped images often require large file sizes, more time and bandwidth consumption to download, and are not easily manipulated without impacting their image quality. These images can be combined in a specific sequence thereby simulating animation, and these are known as animated gifs. However, again, file size dramatically increases with this format. All of the images on this page, including the ITIG Logo, are examples of bitmapped graphics.Vector Graphics
By contrast, vector graphics consist not of pixels, but of mathematical formulas or equations which represent colors, lines, and curves. File sizes for vector graphics are typically small and very web friendly. Thus, Flash movies are quite compact and quick to download. When compared to an animated gif file, an animated Flash movie can be as much as ten times smaller in size. (For a real-time example of the difference between a simple Flash animation and an animated gif, visit Joen's Flash Study at StreamingMediaWorldOnline.) Vector graphics are also scalable or easily modified without any loss in image quality.
Although perhaps unfamiliar to many users, vector images are not new or unique to the Web; graphic designers have been using vector images for many years. Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW are two popular examples of graphic design software which can create vector graphics. Two notable examples of websites which are incorporating vector graphics, specifically using Flash or "flashed content," are Volkswagon's Turbonium site and Disney's homepage.The Flash Player
Despite their popularity within the professional design community, vector images have not made a quick or an easy transition to the web environment. Currently, there is still not an accepted web standard for vector graphics, although the scalable vector graphics (SVG) format is under development by the World Wide Web Consortium. Therefore, in order to view a Flash movie in its native Shockwave Flash (.swf) format online, users must have the Flash Player or plug-in installed on their computers. This fact alone has created some controversy among web developers and is seen by some as a hindrance to its widespread use. However, Macromedia claims that Flash is being used by over 500,000 web authors (Macromedia, August 2000); and furthermore, that the Flash Player is now available on nearly 92% of all web browsers (NPD Research, June 2000).
Is Flash Evil?
Regardless of Flash's penetration in the online marketplace, web users and designers seem to fall into two different groups regarding the use of multimedia applications: they either love it or love to hate it. Often the latter is more commonplace. Why? Perhaps because many users---including librarians and other information professionals---still consider animated graphics, sounds, and videos on the Web gratuitous and annoying. Flash has even been described as evil (Dack.com, April 2000) and as a "cancer on the Web" (Flazoom.com, June 2000).
Certainly some of Flash's numerous critics are justified in their assessments. Multimedia web applications like Flash have indeed been misused and abused by designers and have contributed very little to a site's overall usability. In many instances, Flash has literally earned its name, adding not useful content to a site but flashing animations, less-than-intuitive navigation buttons, "bells and whistles" or jarring sounds and background audio which cannot be turned off, and pop-up windows which cannot be closed.
However, an abuse of the technology does not justify discarding the software altogether. It is the author's opinion that the Web is not only a communications tool but also a design medium. Therefore, as a multimedia application, Flash is poised to help redefine how the Web is experienced. From at least one perspective, Flash is an inherently beneficial web design tool; and, if applied judiciously and intelligently, it can improve website usability while at the same time exploit the aesthetic impact of the Web.
Beyond the Bells and Whistles: Flash's Strengths and Weaknesses
Regardless of one's web design perspective, Flash has undeniable strengths and obvious weaknesses. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to use Flash is that its movies are browser independent. This means that a Flash movie will look the same to an end user whether or not it is viewed in Netscape (version 2.0 or later) or Microsoft's Internet Explorer (version 3.0 or later). Flash also enables designers to control the colors, fonts, and resolution quality in their web designs, another important consideration for usability. But, considering that many users are still accessing the Web via phone modems and suffering with terribly slow downloads, the most beneficial aspect of using Flash-enhanced websites is a significant reduction in overall file sizes without having to compromise on design quality. Flash movies, unlike bitmapped or raster graphics, can also be scaled to virtually any size without affecting image resolution. They can be animated, interactive, and easily combined with audio (e.g., MP3s) to create memorable web experiences. And, like so many other Macromedia web publishing products available today, Flash software is very powerful, flexible, well-supported, and frequently updated. Compared to the degree of functionality that will result, it requires only a moderate investment in training.
Flash, however, is not the easiest application to learn. Other than the fact that a plug-in is still required to view Flash-enabled websites, the learning curve for Macromedia's Flash is perhaps its most salient weakness. For inexperienced web designers and those new to multimedia applications in particular, Flash will present a definite challenge. For example, users must learn new concepts and jargon, such as Flash's timeline and stage, layers, motion tweening, symbols, and instances. The interface is also not very user-friendly or intuitive for non-designers. However, with the much-anticipated release of Flash 5.0 on August 24, 2000, the GUI is supposedly much improved.
How Can Libraries Use Flash?
Libraries, like other public service organizations, have yet to realize the full potential of the Web as a communications and educational medium. By adopting Flash as a multimedia application for their websites, libraries have the opportunity to:
Several academic libraries are already using Flash to enhance the online experiences of their users. One of the most noteworthy examples is the highly interactive and creative information literacy online tutorial, known as TILT or Texas Information Literacy Tutorial. Created by staff in the University of Texas System Digital Library, the TILT site incorporates animation, colorful graphics, and sounds. The homepage for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries is a great example of minimalist Flash design. It includes simple interactivity and a lot of information in a very user-friendly, compact and straightforward interface design. Another academic library that is using Flash to deliver a compelling yet useful homepage is the Art & Design Library at the University of Connecticut Libraries.
Learning Flash
There are a myriad of resources available for those interested in learning how to create Flash movies. The Macromedia website is by far the most up-to-date and important place to start. Several other independent websites contain tutorials, discussion boards, free flash movies and source code that can be downloaded, tips, and tricks. The following is a general list of recommended websites:
Of course, nothing quite compares to learning by example. Locating Flash-enabled sites can be challenging, however, since many of the major search engines do not recognize the Flash format. HotBot is one of the few major Internet search tools that, using the "Advanced Search" option, enables users to specifically search for webpages that include Shockwave files or files with the extension .swf. In order to find other Flash-enabled sites, two specialized search engines can be used, including Flahoo, which is an excellent site, and Quintas Flash Index.
Further Connections...
The Official Macromedia
Flash Website http://www.flash.com
Web Graphics File Formats from About.com http://graphicssoft.about.com/compute/graphicssoft/cs/formatsweb/index.htm
Heidi
N. Abbey, M.A., M.L.S.
Art
& Design Library Assistant
University of Connecticut Libraries
Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1005
heidi.abbey@uconn.edu
Comments Welcome!
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