Re: Unilever pull out of using Flash after paying for a Flashed Web site

[chris thorpe]

Hi all


In response to Andrew's earlier e-mail which was prompted by our appearance

on The Net on BBC2 last night, here is the slightly more full picture..


The original Unilever In:Site intranet which we developed used Flash and

JavaScript heavily and was built for Netscape3 only. After a trial period

we found out that there were problems with reaching some portions of the

network with streaming media, and the decision was made to recreate the

intranet so that Flash areas were optional, they haven't been removed, you

simply elect whether or not to use them. CHOICE a vital part of electronic

communities, the ability to decide what is most suitable for your needs and

connection.


Unfortunately the short sound bite on television and e-mail conversations

with friends have led to only partial stories getting out... Unilever and

NoHo are still committed to Flash, we have simply been going through a

process of deciding what in life is most important within the constraints

of bandwidth, whether it is better to have an intensely televisual

interface, or better information design and content that people can see

swiftly and without fear of exclusion due to network latency, machine or

browser standards, or even levels of technical competence in installing

software.


We chose content, like any sane sensible group of developers who are

interested in developing information systems for our clients. I think Flash

is wonderful, but it must be used judiciously yet in situations where the

information is mission critical rather than the aesthetics of the

interface, and clearly information is what an Intranet is about, then it

may need to be sacrificed in order that the clients needs are carried out....



after all that's what design is, providing an elegant and most suitable

solution to fit with the needs of the client.



NoHo is still a committed Flash developer, Unilever is still a committed

Flash customer, I am still a committed Flash user, and I'm just off to

strangle people who misquote me and blow things out of proportion by only

giving a half-story for journalistic reasons. If ever anyone asks you to be

in a fly-on the wall documentary, tell them to f~*k right off, all they'll

do is make you look fat on camera and tell half truths about situations,

leading to embarassing moments like this on an open mailing list where you

know that representatives of your client are present



best wishes all


chris







chris thorpe


senior creative (advertising)




http://www.noho.co.uk


< p > 0171 299 3407 	direct






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