Flash, Is it a NEEDED skill for the web? Options

[DigitaLink]

Browsing around a lot of help wanted ads, I notice that almost ALL of the website-related jobs seem to list Flash as a requirement to be hired.

Once upon a time, when the world was wow over all-flash websites, I guess I could understand it. But in today's world of the web, is it still a needed skill to be a webmaster?

Why do I ask? I'm looking at my future options as I sense a self-prescribed career change in the next 2-5 years. I think I'd LOVE to do websites full time, but I'm just not willing or able to strike out on my own and start my own company to do it. I like the security (what exists anymore anyway) and benefits of being an employee with someone giving me a paycheck for showing up to work and doing my job every day. Having a family to support changes your priorities a bit I guess.

10 years ago, I might have considered striking out on my own. Back then, I LITERALLY had nothing to lose. I didn't own anything that could be taken away. Except my computer that is. I think 10 years ago, right around now, I went from a 386 SX to a Pentium 120. LOL MAN that machine was blazing fast with that wicked Win95 on it. (upgraded from Win 3.1 don't ya know!)

Personally, I don't think you need to know a lick of Flash to create a great, usable, interactive, visually appealing website. Almost anything that can be done with flash can be done other ways. And with some of the javascript/ajax tricks materializing, Flash seems like a bit of a throwback to the 90's to me.

What are your thoughts on places requiring Flash skills to hire a web guy? I guess I could understand it if they have an existing all-Flash site, but if it's just used for some little animations or something ... well, there are other ways to achieve that.

[bytech]

I've been designing websites for 10 years, getting close to 11. While I picked up some Flash along the way, none of my final sites have it (had one project where some Flash was used, but the Flash portions got nuked before the final).

Having said that, Flash is really not a requirement for employees at 9/10 web design companies that I deal with. I think that if you start thinking of web design as a marketing method first, and techy second, you get a pretty good picture of the the industry as it should be and what skills are needed to be part of it. You, with your marketing background, and the techy know how, wow, should be cake for you to get a job in this sector. I know some web designers that are blind when it comes to good looking and professional designs, yet they are working 12 hours a day and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars doing so... not because they make pretty designs, but because their sites sell.

[DigitaLink]

One would think that, but it's scary just how many list Flash as a requirement. Found one that didn't list it required, but as an asset ... West Palm Beach, Florida I think it was. Sounds nice to me. If I can find a quick way out of my mortgage. LOL Damned home ownership ... I KNEW it was a bad idea 6 years ago, still is today. My kingdom for a decent 2/3 bedroom apartment!!! LOL

[kbba04527]

Flash is great in some areas, those nice portfolio sites... Selling a house etc, but in my line of work eCommerce, flash is still a sticky subject. Not least due to the search engine friendliess, but also because of the % of people still running a Windows 95 machine and not having flash... Remember every sale is a sale!!

So, I'd say its nice to know a little, but when I hire people I tend to teach them a little, great if they know more, but usually its remains unused.

[bytech]

Yup, flash would be great for those companies that build trophy websites, and not marketing vehicles. Hollywood needs Flash, and a mom and pop shop should avoid it like the plague.

[DigitaLink]

"Every sale is a sale" ... my thoughts exactly. Now, there are a LOT of times when it doesn't make a difference if you have a little flash item on the site if it's not required to run the site or do something on the site. I played with flash a few years ago, and couldn't find a compelling reason to really use it beyond making something look ... well ... flashy!

Simplicity wins the web. Substance over flash.

[bytech]

At a chance of repeating myself, the bells and whistles should be saved for optional info. Nothing crucial... which is where Flash fits, into the 'nice to have, but not necessary'. If you're on a budget, there is no room for Flash.

[shannonlp]

A thought on this subject. While I agree that flash lends nothing to SEO. I personally started with Flash and have since moved strictly to xhtml, php and css style sites. Has anyone seen some of Adobe and their use of Flash within their help guides ant tutorials sections. They do look nice. I am in the bot development business now and Flash is around the corner for being scraped.