Dynamic HTML/ dHTML
Advantages:
Fast - dHTML loads content on fly. Your whole page does not loads but only the content part that needs to be altered, so saving the crucial time to make changes that need to be made allowing more time for the website to remain running.
Plug-ins - dHTML uses most of the features already present in the browsers, so there is no need to download any sort of Plug-ins.
Great Utility:- The dynamic features that dHTML has help web designers to create Web pages that have compact looks, downloads fast, have graphic effects, provides greater functionality and can hold much more text or content all at the same time.
Disadvantages
Cost of Editing tools: - although dHTML provides great functionality but the editors' available for that in market are pretty expensive. Examples of dHTML editors are Dreamweaver and Fusion.
Long and Complex coding: - dHTML coding is long and complex. Usually only the expert JavaScript and HTML programmers can write them and edit them with good degree of functionality.
Browser Support problems: - dHTML suffers from browser support problems for different browsers. For example, a code written for Netscape might not work in Internet Explorer. The problem arises due to the different features of browsers.
Flash
Advantages
Interactivity- Flash offers more intractable features than the other formats like games and feedback forms that will create a more interesting website.
Browser compatibility- Flash is compatible with nearly any browser which gives it a large scope of audience because it doesnt limit itself to any specific browser, the only issue that you will come across is that some browsers will require the latest flash player.
Disadvantages
Flash player- A lot of the creation in flash will require the latest Flash player but some people don't like to update their Flash player so it will remove some peoples opportunity to access your content.
Mobile devices- A lot of mobile devices cannot access flash content and the people that use mobile for browsing the internet also will not have access to your content this will have an effect on your target audience.
Shockwave /SWF
Advantages
Vector based- SWF is vector based. This means that the content can be scaled easily, so they can be zoomed in to or be able onto different size screens, and the file will look clear and play very smooth a unlike bitmap animation.
Fast loading- It was intentionally created small and light to display entertaining animations and could be run on a system which has slower network connections.
Easy and smooth compression- SWF uses a lossless data compression method known as DEFLATE.
Disadvantages
Compatibility- SWF's major disadvantage is compatibility. SWF cannot be played unless the person has Macromedia Flash installed on their computer.
QuickTime
Advantages
Streaming large files- Large files can start streaming before the entire file is downloaded.
Free players- QuickTime players are for the most part absolutely free.
Disadvantages
Stream issues- To access QuickTime files you have to stream from the host.
Bandwidth- The bandwidth that different users can reach will be a issue, as the user has to stream, poor network connection will stop access to your content.
RealPlayer
Advantages
Compatibility- RealPlayer is compatible will many audio files types like for example MP3s, WMA, AAC. It also support video files like MPEG-4.
Disadvantages
It can be subject to lag if the user's connection does not reach certain requirements.
There are other alternatives that take up less space and use less processing power.
Comparison between GIF and Flash
Flash is technologically superior to GIF it can animate more fluently due to the fact it can store more data this allows more frames, using tweening which will save the time of the animator, which creates the illusion of smoother animation. Also Flash can use a far larger range of colours than Gif as Gif is limited to only 256, also these colours have to be in larger blocks or it will struggle to run smoothly, where as Flash has alot more which allows more interactive design. Although Gif can load alot quicker on webpages and is more accessible to people with weaker internet connection, but Gifs biggest advantage is that it is accessible by mobiles which is a major issue with Flash so for websites that are designed for mobile web browsing will probably use Gif.
Comparison between QuickTime and RealPlayer
QuickTime streams because of this people with poor internet connection will struggle to access the files because you have to get the files from the host but on RealPlayer the files are yours after you have downloaded them and it just plays them. If the host's server goes down then QuickTIme becomes useless because you don't have any files but RealPlayer takes more processing power to use so they both have their advantages and their efficiency.
Depending on your project the choice of file format will be based on what you are trying achieve. If you wish to stream then QuickTime is your best option, if you wish to make a more complex and interactive animation then Flash is a good choice, if your market is on mobile browsing then Gif or dHTML will be the better option due to Flash's mobile limitations.
Advantages:
Fast - dHTML loads content on fly. Your whole page does not loads but only the content part that needs to be altered, so saving the crucial time to make changes that need to be made allowing more time for the website to remain running.
Plug-ins - dHTML uses most of the features already present in the browsers, so there is no need to download any sort of Plug-ins.
Great Utility:- The dynamic features that dHTML has help web designers to create Web pages that have compact looks, downloads fast, have graphic effects, provides greater functionality and can hold much more text or content all at the same time.
Disadvantages
Cost of Editing tools: - although dHTML provides great functionality but the editors' available for that in market are pretty expensive. Examples of dHTML editors are Dreamweaver and Fusion.
Long and Complex coding: - dHTML coding is long and complex. Usually only the expert JavaScript and HTML programmers can write them and edit them with good degree of functionality.
Browser Support problems: - dHTML suffers from browser support problems for different browsers. For example, a code written for Netscape might not work in Internet Explorer. The problem arises due to the different features of browsers.
Flash
Advantages
Interactivity- Flash offers more intractable features than the other formats like games and feedback forms that will create a more interesting website.
Browser compatibility- Flash is compatible with nearly any browser which gives it a large scope of audience because it doesnt limit itself to any specific browser, the only issue that you will come across is that some browsers will require the latest flash player.
Disadvantages
Flash player- A lot of the creation in flash will require the latest Flash player but some people don't like to update their Flash player so it will remove some peoples opportunity to access your content.
Mobile devices- A lot of mobile devices cannot access flash content and the people that use mobile for browsing the internet also will not have access to your content this will have an effect on your target audience.
Shockwave /SWF
Advantages
Vector based- SWF is vector based. This means that the content can be scaled easily, so they can be zoomed in to or be able onto different size screens, and the file will look clear and play very smooth a unlike bitmap animation.
Fast loading- It was intentionally created small and light to display entertaining animations and could be run on a system which has slower network connections.
Easy and smooth compression- SWF uses a lossless data compression method known as DEFLATE.
Disadvantages
Compatibility- SWF's major disadvantage is compatibility. SWF cannot be played unless the person has Macromedia Flash installed on their computer.
QuickTime
Advantages
Streaming large files- Large files can start streaming before the entire file is downloaded.
Free players- QuickTime players are for the most part absolutely free.
Disadvantages
Stream issues- To access QuickTime files you have to stream from the host.
Bandwidth- The bandwidth that different users can reach will be a issue, as the user has to stream, poor network connection will stop access to your content.
RealPlayer
Advantages
Compatibility- RealPlayer is compatible will many audio files types like for example MP3s, WMA, AAC. It also support video files like MPEG-4.
Disadvantages
It can be subject to lag if the user's connection does not reach certain requirements.
There are other alternatives that take up less space and use less processing power.
Comparison between GIF and Flash
Flash is technologically superior to GIF it can animate more fluently due to the fact it can store more data this allows more frames, using tweening which will save the time of the animator, which creates the illusion of smoother animation. Also Flash can use a far larger range of colours than Gif as Gif is limited to only 256, also these colours have to be in larger blocks or it will struggle to run smoothly, where as Flash has alot more which allows more interactive design. Although Gif can load alot quicker on webpages and is more accessible to people with weaker internet connection, but Gifs biggest advantage is that it is accessible by mobiles which is a major issue with Flash so for websites that are designed for mobile web browsing will probably use Gif.
Comparison between QuickTime and RealPlayer
QuickTime streams because of this people with poor internet connection will struggle to access the files because you have to get the files from the host but on RealPlayer the files are yours after you have downloaded them and it just plays them. If the host's server goes down then QuickTIme becomes useless because you don't have any files but RealPlayer takes more processing power to use so they both have their advantages and their efficiency.
Depending on your project the choice of file format will be based on what you are trying achieve. If you wish to stream then QuickTime is your best option, if you wish to make a more complex and interactive animation then Flash is a good choice, if your market is on mobile browsing then Gif or dHTML will be the better option due to Flash's mobile limitations.
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