When web browsers or languages reach their limits, plugins come to their help and support them with their own features. Adobe’s Flash Player is simply the plugin for all current browsers and pops up for installation as early as during the first web tour.

Flash is that widespread, because it brings movement to the table and enhances websites with animations, applications, audio and video. The degree of Flash integration is arbitrary. From a single navigational element to the whole content, websites can be implemented completely with Flash.

Opinions on Flash throughout the IT world are divided, but currently there is no real alternative on the market. Hence, operators can expect that the majority of today’s visitors are able to marvel at Flash content, due to its wide distribution and acceptance. Thanks to its multimedia advantages apart from text, Flash mostly serves as an eye catcher and is employed in almost all sites within the sector of product or image advertising.

Flash elements lend sites unimagined dynamics and provide visitors with interactive possibilities, which go beyond the navigation of new content and form entries. Whole applications or games emerge within the browser, online or offline.

Since Flash content does not follow a standard like the remaining source code does, an exclusive use currently happens at the expense of accessibility. In the best case, Flash should therefore be accompanied by a regular representation of contents, which ensures accessibility and coverage by search engines.

Text is and will be the domain of the interpreter of web languages, the browser, and should not be designed to a great extent with Flash, because users usually are prohibited from basic functionalities like zoom or copy.