As Adobe Flex gains some attention recently with it’s beta release of it’s latest version, Flash builder 4 and new Catalyst applications, it becomes more apparent that we need to define the proper use of these new technologies in the real world.
Here at Pinion Media we strive to develop on the leading edge of available technology. But when customers come to us requesting technology, we are often faced with the task of tutoring them (initially) so that they understand – the advantages (they probably are already well aware of since they’re requesting the technology; The disadvantages; and the side-effects of the project using various technologies.
So, when we find ourselves tutoring quite often, it’s time to write it down and let our customers tutor themselves on our suggestions. The request for Flex has reached that point.
Flex is the latest addition to the Flash development family by Adobe. For the end-client, it should really only mean two things. 1. Flex is really only an SWF Flash file in the end. 2. That Flash project can be exported as an Adobe Air project that can be played from a desktop rather than a browser.
So when it comes to Flex, the same rules about when to use Flash or not, still apply. And our opinion is that the first and foremost consideration is regarding search spider accessibility.
Here is our opinion about where Flex works well:
User interfaces and data display.
Administration tools to site back-ends connected to a database.
Desktop widgets.
Site widgets for bits of data display.
Anything that you want to keep search spiders out of.
When to use Flash rather than Flex:
Any project that requires a timeline
Any video or animation
Much of the same interactivity and user experience can be obtained using Javascript libraries like jQuery. And the advantage to this is that all of the content is indexable by search spiders as well. So, if the content must be on the front end of the site chances are you should choose jQuery.
This is the quick run down for now. We will write more later… stay tuned.