>I wouldn't be surprised if Google is working on its own competitor to Flash/Silverlight.
Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
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Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
Could you elaborate? Maybe it's not convenient for developers, but the result is better for users than an ad hoc mix of old web technologies that is seriously lacking in features and plagued with compatibility problems.
It appears that AJAX cross-browser compatibility problems can be solved using infinite money. Besides video, what compelling Flash features aren't available in JS+HTML?
Flash is useful for single player, little games, that you can play in the browser without installation.
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#13>I wouldn't be surprised if Google is working on its own competitor to Flash/Silverlight. http://gears.google.com/
That's not a competitor to Flash/Silverlight.
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
Could you elaborate? Maybe it's not convenient for developers, but the result is better for users than an ad hoc mix of old web technologies that is seriously lacking in features and plagued with compatibility problems.
From the Google Webmaster Central Blog: "Try to use Flash only where it is needed... this makes you[r] site accessible to a larger audience, including, for example, blind people using screen readers, users of old or non-standard browsers, and those on limited low-bandwidth connections such as on a cell phone or PDA." http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2007/07/best-uses... I can think of a few good examples of…
> However, Flash normally seems to be used for displaying pointless, obnoxious splash screens which add no value for the user.
How is that relevant to this discussion?
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I can think of a few good examples of web sites which use Flash effectively Youtube!
But why not use Flash for the entire site rather than just the video player?
because flash isn't always cross platform. those of us on linux had to wait 2 or more years (I really don't recall) for adobe to roll out a flash 9 from flash 7 for linux. It took another year after that to get it stable.
Also if you are blind how do you view flash websites? it has serious problems with usability for those who are disabled.
it also has usability problems for those who aren't disabled. I don't like flash websites because I can never find my way around. I can't run them through translator's either (an artist I like, who's native language is spanish, website is in flash, I can't read or translate the spanish because of that, and the english version has been coming soon for 2 or more years).
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#16Google uses Flash for their charts in analytics and finance.
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#17Google revolves around information accessibility, using Flash for anything besides the presentation of graphics is a big step back in that area.
Youtube may make good use of Flash, but even they limit it to areas of absolute necessity.
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#18Google revolves around information accessibility, using Flash for anything besides the presentation of graphics is a big step back in that area. Youtube may make good use of Flash, but even they limit it to areas of absolute necessity.
Why can't Flash be improved to make information accessible?
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#19Google revolves around information accessibility, using Flash for anything besides the presentation of graphics is a big step back in that area. Youtube may make good use of Flash, but even they limit it to areas of absolute necessity.
Why can't Flash be improved to make information accessible?
Ask Adobe?
Re: Ask YC: Why doesn't Google use better technology to build its services (e.g., Flash)?
#20> I wouldn't be surprised if Google is working on its own competitor to Flash/Silverlight.
Microsoft has big problems getting Silverlight off the ground, although it is imo technically superior to Flash. I don't think it would be easier for Google to launch a competing platform. I personally think that they will bet on HTML5 through their partnership with Mozilla.