RE: Flash 4.0 vs. Java?

All,

how accessible is Flash 4.0 to people with disabilities?


Sincerely,

Mike Burks

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hwg-theory(at)hwg.org [mailto:owner-hwg-theory(at)hwg.org]On
Behalf Of Christopher Higgs
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 1999 3:18 AM
To: Jeffrey Frazier; hwg-theory(at)hwg.org; sephi678(at)telepath.com
Subject: Re: Flash 4.0 vs. Java?


G'Day Jeff,

At 01:05 18/07/99 -0700, Jeffrey Frazier wrote:
>I just got myself a copy of Flash 4.0 today. 

I've only toyed with version 3 - if that affects my viewpoint.  But I want
4!! :)

>My question is, has Flash now surpassed Java? Is there any reason to use
>Java, now that Flash has developed decision making and event handling
>capabilities? 

An interesting question!!

I'd say both "yes" and "no".  How's that for a politically correct 
answer :-)

>A vector-based way of creating "smart" animations and
>movies? Now that a Flash calculator can download in a fraction of the
>time of an equivalent Java applet?

Forget about "time" constraints, I see "compatibility" as a bigger issue!!
As Java has developed, the browser support for the individual advances is
tied to upgrades, unlike the Macromedia that have opted for OS level
interfacing as well as browser distribution.  Macromedia has already made
deals to package shockwave with NN and IE. 

I predict Flash storming home as the only winner in this field.  IMO there
is no alternative for (let me stress this) web based interaction!!   

However!!!  If you want anything more than a "front end interface", then
you will need to look deeper, and that is where Java will really show it's
power - with it's "write once, use anywhere" slogan.  I see Java really
making it's mark in the servelets field and for proprietary software.  But
then, that's just my opinion :-)

>Everyone complains about how slow Java is. I despise it myself. I have
>to grit my teeth and wait everytime that little "Starting Java..."
>message appears in the Netscape status window and shanghais my browser.
>Could this new technology be the answer to the long Java waits??

Most likely - Flash is optimised for interactive web presentations, while
Java is really only a generic programming language.  In the end it will
come down to "horses for courses".


Chris Higgs <c.higgs(at)landfood.unimelb.edu.au>
Institute of Land and Food Resources
University of Melbourne
http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au

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