But no one hiring seems to respect these skills

[alfreda89]

The top ten most hated features and problems of web sites:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/designmistakes.html

I don't build flashy web sites. I go to a web site for information--to buy, to inform, to get ideas for later purchases. The only thing I like better than a button that says "Skip Flash Intro" is NO FLASH INTRO!

But my long-time clients tell me every time we talk shop that they get so many compliments about their web sites--that they are easy to use, that all the info the client wants is right there--

Sigh. I don't think I'm staying in this biz much longer--I need to take about six classes just to answer ads anymore. But I don't think I need to add flash to my own site, when I build the new version.

I want to offer words for thought, not pyrotechnics.

I'll save the fireworks for July 4th and New Years... ;^)

Comments

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with those points! I can't tell you how many times I've been annoyed by those exact flaws.

[janni.livejournal.com]

I feel like I've been on that edge of "I need to update my skills or shift my focus" for a bit now.

Still, no matter how much updating I do, I'm not going to start adding flash animations to pages. Not unless it's a site for someone who does animations for a living, and needs to display them for potential clients to see. (And even then--not on the opening page, before users even get oriented to the site.)

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I agree. You need a very relaxed lifestyle to be able to sit through tons of Flash at every web site you visit.

[jacardie.livejournal.com]

If I'm really bored and have nothing better to do, I might kill time with Fash sites if friends have recommended them, but in general I hate Flash with a passion. It annoys me a lot that people blithely assume everyone has high speed Internet service. Hello? I could have it if I was willing to pay $40 or $50 (or more) a month for it, but that's not ever gonna happen. So I'm stuck with slow dial-up service. *sigh*

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Precisely. Something like over 50% of the country are still on dial-up! I'd be on dial-up is W didn't want full cable, but he uses the various TV options, plus dialing into work, so he has a good reason for it.

I try to make sure pics are small, etc. so folks CAN download quickly.
Grumble Grumble Flash...