One big complaint about Flash content is that it isn't indexable. Although this isn't entirely true, Macromedia has come up with a solution:
Macromedia Releases Flash Search Engine SDK. It is a C++ toolkit that lets search engines like Yahoo and Google fully index Flash SWF content.
Prior to the release of the XDK, Flash developers could publish their Flash content so that the text within the Flash SWF file was included in the HTML Meta tags on the page that contained the Flash content.Furthermore, you could already use Google's :swf option to search for SWF files.
However, my argument for some time has been that Flash content isn't the type of stuff you necessarily want to index. Does anyone complain that GIFs aren't indexable? SVG afficionados will point out that SVG is laden with metadata. One pointed out that you could serach for red clip art using SVG. I don't know anyone who ever wanted to do that.
Likewise, there are complaints about not being able to use the browser's Back button in Flash. Again, this isn't entirely true. Developers can set up Flash SWF files that will work with the Back button. Nevermind that some database-driven sites don't work with the browser's Back button. Nevermind that it isn't always clear where one would want to go back to in a Flash-type presentation. What does it mean to go back to a page when that page isn't static?
Anyway, I see this as Macromedia's response to zealotry, which they've always been pretty good at deflecting and adapting to. Maybe it will remove one more unfounded prejudice against Flash.
Does it matter if Flash content is indexable?
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Web
Comments (2)
Read More Entries by Bruce A. Epstein.
Well my response to byamabe is that one of the enjoyable characteristics of Flash is the way the content is brought to the user in a single window vs multiple windows. Granted Flash may not be the best way to Shop when trying to compare prices and information as you may actually have to open a new window yourself by using your mouse and clicking on your browser exe icon. One draw back to Flash is that since these sites are created by both Artists and Programmers, they all offer non-standard browsing features and site navigation which will vary between one Flash page to the next meaning, if you go to www.ohno.com, the navigation will be different than if you go to www.Ihavetousemymouse.com which will offer a completely different interface. There is no "standard" format for what people like or prefer therefore flash will continue to be the anti-pizza drug of choice for the web as it offers a different perspective and experience dependent on the developers imagination. You also have to think, Adobe Flash isn't just reserved as a website language, its an animation technology and you should know that and realize what you are viewing and appreciate its architecture vs knocking it because it didn't look like the last HTML page you read.
The Back button
Your statement, "Developers can set up Flash SWF files that will work with the Back button." May be true, but even Macromedia breaks the web paradigm (and the Back button) in there use of Flash. What if you wander around there site and navigate using there Flash model and you see two or three products you would like to investigate. I usually would right click and open each of the products in a new window. Can't do it. Okay, I'll click on a product then go back after I've done my investigate. Can't do that either. I don't know enough about Flash to know if this is a Flash limitation or an implementation limitation, but I do know that the guys who created Flash can't get it right.