[Sigia-l] Facets, Flash, and Fun

[Christopher Fahey [askrom]]

Me, then Ziya:
> > No DHTML is simple...
>
> This is a lot of exaggeration. In this example, if you eliminate the
> gratuitous drag&drop, you can do the whole thing in 
> HTML+iframes, just as fast as Flash, if not faster...

First you say my argument (that DHTML/Javascript/CSS is complex and that
the resulting download can be quite large) is exaggerated, then you
describe a non-draggable alternative in which DHTML is not used at all.
I was only pointing out that, contrary to David's assertion, it is *not*
easy to do *the exact same thing* in DHTML.

As to the other question, is the camera comparison interface better in
Flash? Considering that the point of the interface is not really to
_allow you to pick_ the correct camera, but rather to _make you buy_ one
of Canon's cameras (a subtle difference), I still think it's pretty
successful. Your iframe/pulldown menu counterexample would be very
useful for the sales representative talking on the phone to a potential
customer, but I'm not convinced it would be the best option for a public
site selling cameras to consumers. The user has to remember the name of
the camera they want as they use the pull-down menus - instead of just
selecting the picture of the camera they think is the sexiest. I have a
feeling that seeing the cameras, and indeed 'picking them up' and moving
them around, may be a more effective sales tool.

You also argue that there is no learning curve to your alternative
interface. To me, it actually sounds a lot more complicated than the
drag-and-drop interface. Drag and drop has certainly been proven
inappropriate in a lot of web interfaces, but we shouldn't treat it like
it is completely taboo. It's not like digital camera shoppers don't know
how to drag and drop stuff. Call me a heretic.

-Cf

[christopher eli fahey]
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