tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post3928099784575144229..comments2024-03-16T02:39:39.781-07:00Comments on eLearning Technology: Beginning of Long Slow Death of FlashTony Karrerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408035995182843336noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-65117541376750667742010-06-11T09:44:12.563-07:002010-06-11T09:44:12.563-07:00I agree that Flash is on its way out. We avoid fl...I agree that Flash is on its way out. We avoid flash for developing elearning, but we do use Flash for activities within our courses.<br /><br />This is a little off topic, but does anyone know of any good authoring tools that support SCORM, that publish HTML/JS?Matt Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12470903749594408640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-78296115198861171962010-06-07T06:12:36.277-07:002010-06-07T06:12:36.277-07:00I think apple is a little in love with itself - If...I think apple is a little in love with itself - If apple allows flash to play and crash on its devices, enough people will complain (to adobe, not apple) to the point where the flash player is reconfigured to work properly - nothing lights a fire under your ass like customer complaints. When my computer crashes because CS4 is full of bugs I don't blame Dell.. people just aren't that dumb... Apple can keep their manopoly on the app store and keep thousands of quality flash developers out, but like others have said those developers and consumers will go to one of the many other service providers to get their flash content. On the other hand i understand Apple's desire to keep the weeds out - they want to represent a quality product with quality content.. but this is the internet.. if i want to look up low quality content on my high quality device that should be my choice, and i reinforce that choice by using my toshiba netbook! (which kind of sucks, but at least it plays flash).<br /><br />-Eric Bort<br />Flash developer for 12.5 years and countingEric Borthttp://www.clearlytrained.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-26752306425107006452010-06-03T11:09:32.798-07:002010-06-03T11:09:32.798-07:00The presumption here is that HTML5 is somehow in t...The presumption here is that HTML5 is somehow in the same league or will be in the same league as Flash is for content development and presentation. It's not. It is nowhere near being so. It never will be because HTML5 depends upon a consortium of browser and technology developers to maintain a baseline of cooperation in which each ultimately produces an engine responsible for handling more than content.<br /><br />HTML5 (or its descendants) will never be as efficient a delivery platform nor will it ever approach the level of efficiency of content creation capable within an engine-specific environment designed for this purpose.<br /><br />Stephen Jobs will inevitably eat crow. The question is how long will it take for his ego to become shattered once again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-55373907278182908332010-05-21T21:52:48.428-07:002010-05-21T21:52:48.428-07:00Is HTML5 mature enough now?Is HTML5 mature enough now?Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04339741516968672048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-88518093488522090932010-05-11T08:30:07.305-07:002010-05-11T08:30:07.305-07:00Scribd is slow with HTML5, the source code is a me...Scribd is slow with HTML5, the source code is a mess, phones get a mobile version and not the HTML5 version. So if that site is an example your title is a failure.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10199314705346086975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-14489792956801178222010-05-11T06:52:03.139-07:002010-05-11T06:52:03.139-07:00Hello TechCommGal! I'm a Walden Alumn myself ...Hello TechCommGal! I'm a Walden Alumn myself (PhD in Public Policy and Management). <br /><br />The best strategy here is to learn both Flash and HTML5. You can put your Flash skills to immediate use while HTML5 is still evolving and then when HTML5 is a mature and robust technology, you are ready to program in it. Once you have worked with enough technologies you start to realize that there are plenty of similarities that you can use to make acquiring the next set of skills easier. There isn't much difference in how to program a "for next" loop in many of the programming languages once you have the concept down.<br /><br />The title of this topic should be the "Beginning of the Long Slow Death of Apple." Seriously, how revolutionary is the iPad when compared to Droid? You can't run multiple apps, the Apple App store is counter-innovative, and it's a step backward in computing power compared to your common netbook.<br /><br />If you are interested in mobile learning, pick up this book - Beginning Smartphone Web Development: Building Javascript, CSS, HTML and Ajax-Based Applications for iPhone, Android, Palm Pre, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Nokia S60 by Gail Frederick and Rajesh Lal. Aim for tech that lets you be platform agnostic. <br /><br />A well-stocked toolbox with many tools is the key to success in many fields.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00815239887747838141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-8538904262248039122010-05-10T09:19:50.156-07:002010-05-10T09:19:50.156-07:00Sorry, but the HTML5 debate for the most part is p...Sorry, but the HTML5 debate for the most part is pretty short-sighted. Forcing people into a world without proper dev tools, 1998 style coding, cross-browser issues, licensing issues for video, and a world dominated by slow-moving standards makes me feel like Adobe and Microsoft still have the upper-hand with Flash and Silverlight:<br /><br />See why HTML 5 + Javascript sucks for developers:<br /><br />http://visualrinse.com/2010/05/08/does-html5-need-javascript2/<br /><br />and <br /><br />http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/05/is-html5-ready-for-elearning-development/comment-page-1/#comment-22539<br /><br />and<br /><br />http://elearningroadtrip.typepad.com/elearning_roadtrip/2010/05/before-you-get-too-twisted-about-flash-and-html5.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-59684757025042930252010-05-10T06:11:22.434-07:002010-05-10T06:11:22.434-07:00With Flash and ActionSscript you can create almost...With Flash and ActionSscript you can create almost anything you can imagine. More than what you can do with JavaScript. And as far as all eggs in one basket? Well you are correct in the JS is not big in my toolbox. I also do Photoshop, virtual worlds, Illustrator, interactive PDFs (JavaScript by the way), photography, video, and a host of other things that often tie into using Flash to distribute them (like conference keynote videos and interactions).<br /><br />To say it was foolish to do much in Flash is the same as saying JavaScript is the answer. It too could be replaced. It's a standard that could go by the wayside at some point (not likely, but the same was said for flash just 3 months ago).<br /><br />We have some simulations which involve multiple right mouseclicks (admittedly, we call JS to snag the mouse) and also involve dragging screen objects around.<br /><br />Picture a Home Depot type kitchen creator where you can drag cabinets and appliances around. We have similar interactions to that which reconfigure rooms based on what is being addded to them. When those load, they read XML files to set themselves up.<br /><br />Flash has its place and can do some things extremely well. It is a shame that Apple, who used to be the underdog, is now seemingly the corporate entity using their position for manipulation of the market (ie, it sure seems that Jobs has a stick up his *$##!).<br /><br />Apple has such a loyal fan base that they can push out any information and be believed. Like their claims to being environmantal. A quick look at Climate Counts show that Apple is far from environmental, despite their lovely self-portrayal on thier website. <br /><br />I hold out hope for Android-based tablets. <br /><br />It is amazing how quickly the global community simply says it's all over.subquarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11702449163382824605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-87601416234209338842010-05-09T23:52:48.775-07:002010-05-09T23:52:48.775-07:00In my opinion HTML5 will not replace Flash complet...In my opinion HTML5 will not replace Flash completely which Amy, Kevin and others have mentioned in their comments. I believe that in couple of years HTML5 will become an alternative to Flash for doing some very basic stuff (like creating banners etc.). <br />Here are my thoughts on why HTML5 is still not for eLearning development -<br />http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/05/is-html5-ready-for-elearning-development/Yogeshhttp://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-29463526882867098212010-05-09T20:13:58.468-07:002010-05-09T20:13:58.468-07:00I am rather concerned about Steve Jobs not adoptin...I am rather concerned about Steve Jobs not adopting Flash !, one of the reasons is some of the e-learning curriculum that we have spent time on developing makes heavy use of flash. <br /><br />At the same time not many of us are familiar with HTML5 at the moment. While I appreciate the seamlessness of the HTML 5 approach, what is the learning curve ? and most importantly would it benefit the students ?James @ online phdhttp://onlinephduk.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-33657191680721584892010-05-09T15:40:38.337-07:002010-05-09T15:40:38.337-07:00I am a Masters student enrolled in an Instructiona...I am a Masters student enrolled in an Instructional Design course with Walden University. I am kinda new to the field and this article intrigues me. Should I hold off on learning Flash... and focus more on learning HTML5? Or would it be best to learn both? I know a very little about Flash and made it a goal to learn more, but now I wonder. You imput is greatly appreciated.TechCommGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05985664715346019754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-31176653243945983442010-05-08T08:51:04.470-07:002010-05-08T08:51:04.470-07:00So how many of you use Colbalt or Pascal? Why not...So how many of you use Colbalt or Pascal? Why not? Because the mainframe large centralized computer was phased out while the PC/Mac were phased in. It took a long time.<br /><br />The questions is as Tony puts it, how fast will this happen and how can a company plan for the future? There will always be those that will need the older technology as it took a long time to phase out mainframes (my husband's organization finally got rid of theirs about 4 years ago). It seems that a company will need to look at their customer needs/resources/culture and see where THEY will be technologically in the future (next 5 years). Of course, they could also become a specialist in a "dying" technology until it finally is no longer needed. The last 10 years my husband's organization used one of the last contractors with specialty of UNIX systems. They had a monopoly on the market since others had lost that expertise years earlier.V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-4801496097146315402010-05-07T14:31:10.392-07:002010-05-07T14:31:10.392-07:00Here's the top 10 things we know:
1. HTML5 is ...Here's the top 10 things we know:<br />1. HTML5 is a long way from being standardized (3-5) years.<br />2. HTML5 Does not work on all browsers yet.<br />3. Even when standards are finalized, browsers still have to render that code.<br />5. HTML5 is a language. If you don't know it, there's somewhat of a learning curve<br />6. The Flash output file .swf is used in MANY third-party output software dev programs other than just Flash.<br />7. The web and mobile markets are changing and we're seeing new technologies and methods arise. There is still a HUGE market for Flash.<br />8. Whether you agree or not, folks in the eLearning industry are not programmers or developers. They're designers (instructional or visual).<br />9. In the fast-paced world of workplace learning, ID's use (and need) tools that produce their content on the fly and work in browsers and their respective LMS's. <br />10. HTML5 is a LONG way (if ever) capable of developing the type of interactions that can be done in Flash.<br /><br />Bonus 11. Garage animators submit thousands of entries to the Cartoon Network, WB Network, Nickelodeon, etc. every year for broadcast animation features & shorts. HTML5 will NEVER be able to that!<br /><br />In Summary I don't see Flash ever "dieing" off rather being narrowed into a few focused markets. Flash has never had a "competitor" until now. Just because a new player enters the scene, doesn't mean the current player gets tossed in the river.<br /><br />Oh, and a thought about Adobe's support of HTML5. They've been part of the W3C committee from the beginning and...they have a tool (Dreamweaver) that is designed for programmers to code web sites. It's a no-brainer that they'd continue to build the #1 web development program in the world to support the new standards. Why would they stop?<br /><br />The game is changing, yes. The game if far from over!Kevin Thornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00284893985221270893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-83508213650239163752010-05-07T12:30:04.873-07:002010-05-07T12:30:04.873-07:00So then you're in the situation where you'...So then you're in the situation where you've got to write javascript for each browser's interpretation of the standard and worry about what video plugins are installed on each user's system (assuming your prediction of how the different codecs will be handled is correct). HTML 5 is an immature standard and isn't even scheduled to be finalized for 10 years.<br /><br />If you want to sink your time and energy into all that cross browser morass, good on you. Please blog about it so I can benefit from your early adopter pain when I judge that the browser situation is good enough for me to consider a headlong dive into HTML 5.Amy Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10902594300072091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-20912381729784604192010-05-07T12:02:19.628-07:002010-05-07T12:02:19.628-07:00Amy, I think you're confusing two different th...Amy, I think you're confusing two different things, the HTML5 video object and the canvas element, a drawable region controllable programmatically to render 2D graphics. <br /><br />Video is rendered directly in the browser,and as you correctly note depends on what codec is supported. I'm guessing the vast majority will include H.264 at the very least, and other codecs will be included or available as plugins. <br /><br />Canvas, combined with javascript, is what is competing with Flash vector animation and/or SVG.<br /><br />I suppose one of these days someone will do an API port of ActionScript to JS...much as 280 North did a Javascript implementation of Objective-C to create their Cappuccino framework - Then things will start to get interesting!AJ Kandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214748531532225414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-59662850153547768202010-05-07T11:52:16.026-07:002010-05-07T11:52:16.026-07:00Just like regular HTML, your going to have develop...Just like regular HTML, your going to have developers that develop in HTML5 and javascript and produce poor websites. Visually poor and coding poor. <br /><br />Javascript has always done the same thing as Actionscript, except Actionscript takes it to another level. Plus you get a nice interface to develop with.<br /><br />I don't disagree about developing mobile pages with just HTML. It makes sense because it takes longer to load, but I don't agree about adopting one technology go forward for the next five years. What about the Apple SDK? Are you counting on developing in that technology? Seems to me if you want to get all of the mobile market you will have to be skilled in that code as well.Nathannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-7067949257403539682010-05-07T11:44:14.727-07:002010-05-07T11:44:14.727-07:00I think when people start seeing what the reality ...I think when people start seeing what the <b>reality</b> of HTML 5, in particular the Canvas tag, is, everyone will run screaming back to Flash.<br /><br />Right now, 60% of users hitting content across the web are on some form of IE, which does not support Canvas on any version. Rumor has it that IE 9 may not support it either.<br /><br />If I had to guess why MS is being so cagey about support of Canvas in IE9, I would suspect it is because of the fact that they want to make sure that video support in Canvas "just works." Right now, some browsers support the Ogg codec and some support H.264. AFAIK, none of them support both.<br /><br />MS may want to do both, but be unwilling to pay the license fees for its proprietary H.264 format.Amy Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10902594300072091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-6133157682710615322010-05-07T11:19:16.811-07:002010-05-07T11:19:16.811-07:00I cringe when I hear people say they developed som...I cringe when I hear people say they developed something in articulate. It's the same theory. Different tools do different jobs. The best part of Flash that no one else can touch is the fact that it has it's own player. Making it compatible with all browsers. With HTML5 you will run into issues with IE and Firefox when one browser doesn't display text or a style properly because they have different standards. It happens. <br /><br />The only reason we are worried about this is because Flash, and for all of you professionals out there Actionscript, is so big and dominate in the market. Every developer at some point has used Flash.<br /><br />Kevin Lynch was meaning they will adapt to the technology, not drop what they know all together. Apple has always done their own thing. Uh keynote (powerpoint) and pages (word) anyone? <br /><br />I love Apple technology, but everyone needs to calm down. Adobe will adapt. Right now HTML5 is a hot topic, but I don't know a lot of developers using this technology. <br /><br />By the way, actionscript is open source. So don't bring in the money issue.Nathannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-39673292130729652242010-05-07T11:01:35.610-07:002010-05-07T11:01:35.610-07:00"I am not sure I am ready to bet on the long ..."I am not sure I am ready to bet on the long slow death of Flash just yet."<br /><br />What does it mean to "place bets" on death of Flash?<br /><br />* Short Adobe stock?<br />* Make pronouncements in your blog?<br />* Argue about it?<br /><br />I don't actually care that much about these things.<br /><br />I do care about having to make technical choices that need to live 5+ years. I'm working on defining the technical approach for several startups right now.<br /><br />We need to deliver on mobile devices in the future. Reality is that we need that now, but at least we don't need to specifically design for it for now.<br /><br />Do we include Flex or Flash as a delivery technology?<br /><br />No.<br /><br />That's my bet.<br /><br />I'm not betting that Flash is dead in five years. I'm hedging by NOT betting on Flash. Instead I'm betting on HTML/JavaScript.<br /><br />That's been a relatively safe bet for many years.Tony Karrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408035995182843336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-1410465550257619262010-05-07T10:39:16.503-07:002010-05-07T10:39:16.503-07:00I am not sure I am ready to bet on the long slow d...I am not sure I am ready to bet on the long slow death of Flash just yet. There is definitely a wake up call for Adobe to evolve their platform quickly or loose their web dominance (which in the case of Flash I think they will)) and maybe even their dominance in elearning. Mobile is a space elearing has to play in - period. But I think Mathew is right, we as elearning developers have always had to be ready to expand the tool box(I go back to hyper card stacks)and as such we will always need to be ready to deliver our learning solution to the relevant "distribution" channel. Like others I am an Apple and Adobe fan. Am I going to stop developing elearning in Flash? Not yet. Are we playing with HTML 5? You bet.Stephen Whitehttp://www.boshalou.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-66473674742477954952010-05-07T09:34:56.927-07:002010-05-07T09:34:56.927-07:00Good morning Tony;
I think one of the problems her...Good morning Tony;<br />I think one of the problems here is that everyone is still trying to find the "unified theory of eLearning development", thinking that some platform or tool is a magic wand to produce the best content. Instead, various tools and platforms should be looked at as what they are, individual tools. The creation of the power screwdriver didn't eliminate the use of the hammer in home construction. <br /><br />It is rare that we as developers, have control over all of the possible platforms our learners use or even the technology of tomorrow that we can't forsee today. The best we can do is to create content that can be re-used on as many platforms as possible, while at the same time, providing the best experience as possible for each platform user. For some users in some situations, that may be a .pdf, for others, a rich Flash based application. <br /><br />Apple is only limiting her potential customer base by limiting app platforms. It opens up potential competitors to fill the gaps and provide similar devices that do more (can someone say Android?)<br /><br />If HTML is still around, I don't see Flash leaving any time soon.Matthew Nehrlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359473805222145988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-82797564585998357282010-05-07T09:24:02.279-07:002010-05-07T09:24:02.279-07:00Agreed, for example Raptivity is a great tool for ...Agreed, for example Raptivity is a great tool for quick and dirty flash interactions. I think google is on the right path to open the flood gates as far as future computing goes. They are great proponents for the development of truly open-source applications.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620700787080954130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-91129167659797879242010-05-07T09:17:14.173-07:002010-05-07T09:17:14.173-07:00C'mon guys. Saying Flash is going to die a slo...C'mon guys. Saying Flash is going to die a slow death is naive at best. These companies are not going to stand by idly and watch their platforms fade away. We're talking about highly competitive companies that reached their dominant status for a reason. There was a time when Apple was on the ropes and everyone was declaring the Mac dead. Clearly they were wrong – is there a bigger media and Wall Street darling than Apple? Another good example: Ninendo went from superstar to also ran to superstar by innovating with the Wii. This is what good companies do. This is what Adobe and others will do.Jason Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10540323692081403703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-38442815541427668542010-05-07T09:13:20.493-07:002010-05-07T09:13:20.493-07:00Let Apple block flash. It isn't like HP isn...Let Apple block flash. It isn't like HP isn't coming out with the Slate, and even without the shiny outer case of the (single-tasking) IPAD, the kindle outperforms the IPAD on many aspects. Continue to let the DOZENS of apple users keep their "better than you" attitudes when in reality they are overpaying for under-performance.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620700787080954130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22055982.post-52687403603856903212010-05-07T05:24:09.546-07:002010-05-07T05:24:09.546-07:00@Vic - that's a good point that Android might ...@Vic - that's a good point that Android might force Flash on mobile. However, Android also supports HTML5. Makes it hard to bet on Flash.Tony Karrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408035995182843336noreply@blogger.com