PD Website - What up?

[weegegirl 2]

Anyone else having troubles with PD's website? It yells at me to install the latest Flash player... which I have... tries to redirect me... gets errors... and... grrrrrr. Just need to check something out. Anyone?

[josheezammit 0]

not working for me neither

Ahh, what a wonderful world.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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not working for me neither

Yeah, I ran into the same problem. Try restarting your browser completely. If that does not work, try restarting the computer. Flash 8 has been sketchy for me.

I hate when a site REQUIRES flash. I should be able to skip it if I want.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[weegegirl 2]

Thanks, Rob. But that didn't work. Restarted browser... restarted computer..... grrrr. I agree. I hate it when websites force you to have a plugin. But I do like PD's website a lot.

[IanHarrop 43]

I got in but I want to add my voice to those that do not like web sites that are high on glitz but require more software and more bandwidth to access.


Many companies seem to buy into their marketing department's high budget websites that do not cater to the customer but get big department budgets and more staff. As a person that has headed a systems department in an international company, I've seen this in more than just skydiving circles and it makes me wonder how budgets get approved. Sure the web site is a vehicle for sales but more than that it is a vehicle for information and that information drives sales. The executives making decisions all have high speed internet access and an IT department that makes sure that their notebook is loaded with the best and latest software, where ever they roam everything works great for them and so they assume that this is true for everyone, everywhere. Not true! They have not figured out that those who have trouble accessing their wonderful web sites are not getting the information and buying elsewhere. But the marketing department says they have a just html version for those people - idiots! Who looks for that extra link to click on in fine print at the bottom that gets you to second rate website. No one does! Everyone tries to get to the regular web site and those that have problems, give up and go elsewhere.

PD is not alone - the are others - off the top of my head another great offender is Aerodyne.



There - I feel better

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[Kris 0]

I refuse to go to websites that are flash only. I'll make the company spend more money by calling them directly and tying their staff up with my questions.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[GTAVercetti 0]

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I got in but I want to add my voice to those that do not like web sites that are high on glitz but require more software and more bandwidth to access.


Many companies seem to buy into their marketing department's high budget websites that do not cater to the customer but get big department budgets and more staff. As a person that has headed a systems department in an international company, I've seen this in more than just skydiving circles and it makes me wonder how budgets get approved. Sure the web site is a vehicle for sales but more than that it is a vehicle for information and that information drives sales. The executives making decisions all have high speed internet access and an IT department that makes sure that their notebook is loaded with the best and latest software, where ever they roam everything works great for them and so they assume that this is true for everyone, everywhere. Not true! They have not figured out that those who have trouble accessing their wonderful web sites are not getting the information and buying elsewhere. But the marketing department says they have a just html version for those people - idiots! Who looks for that extra link to click on in fine print at the bottom that gets you to second rate website. No one does! Everyone tries to get to the regular web site and those that have problems, give up and go elsewhere.

PD is not alone - the are others - off the top of my head another great offender is Aerodyne.



There - I feel better

PLEASE NOTE: Anything I say following is about a particular site!!!

I agree with everything you just said. In fact, a friend and I were having a similar conversation last weekend.

We were talking about flah intros on sites. He wanted to put one on his team site. I said that was cool. A personal site should and can be as artistic and flashy as one wants. But when I go to a business site, I am there to get information, not see some silly Flash movie detailing the greatness of their product. That does not sell me. At the very least, they should ALWAYS have a "skip intro" link so I can avoid it if I want.

Flash is great when used properly. It can be a wonderful interface for making web applications (fully developed pieces of software rather than websites), but unfortunately, the abuse of Flash is much more prevailant.

Its the "look how cool we are" mentality. And many are guilty, not just skydiving websites.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Viking 0]

jesus some of you people are to anal about the internet.

I got onto the pd site first try. and i really don't give a shit if a site has flash.

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[weegegirl 2]

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jesus some of you people are to anal about the internet.

I got onto the pd site first try. and i really don't give a shit if a site has flash.

well good for you. i'm so proud. now how does that help me? do you honestly think it's a good idea to create a website that keeps 1/2 your customers out? i'm not trashing PD... i'm just having trouble accessing their site. i have a brand new laptop with the latest version of flash, and i'm interested in purchasing a canopy. but, again... i'm glad you don't have any trouble. goosfrabba!

[GTAVercetti 0]

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jesus some of you people are to anal about the internet.

I got onto the pd site first try. and i really don't give a shit if a site has flash.

Yeah, I am so anal that I don't my bandwidth eaten by crap I don't need. And I am so anal that I want my site to reach as many of my customers as possible. This is what I do for a living so yeah, I might be a little anal about sites that don't work for as many people as possible. It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Glad you got in. Does not mean there is not a problem though. Glad you like to sit through flash intros when you don't really want to though. I don't.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[IanHarrop 43]

you can try Paragear - maybe this will get you the information you need...

http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachute.asp?group=35&t2parent=2&parent=9&level=3

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[Kris 0]

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jesus some of you people are to anal about the internet.

I got onto the pd site first try. and i really don't give a shit if a site has flash.

Good for you. Here's a cookie.

Now what about people that have low-bandwidth connections or aren't running Flash?

What if someone who's blind (like jumper Dan Rossi) wants to visit the site. Their text-to-speech software isn't going to work with flash either.

The world is bigger than you.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[weegegirl 2]

Thanks, Ian. Mmmm... new canopy.

[rasmack 0]

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Flash is great when used properly. It can be a wonderful interface for making web applications (fully developed pieces of software rather than websites), but unfortunately, the abuse of Flash is much more prevailant.

Its the "look how cool we are" mentality. And many are guilty, not just skydiving websites.

Couldn't agree more. Most often it is only used, because some half-taught webdesigner couldn't be bothered to leave his WYSIWYG cradle and learn some css. Many many flash sites could have made do with some decent css programming and standard compliant html.

HF #682, Team Dirty Sanchez #227
“I simply hate, detest, loathe, despise, and abhor redundancy.”
- Not quite Oscar Wilde...

[Mike111 0]

me, trying to researchm the silhouette but need that damn plug in!!!

[hookitt 1]

Just click no when it asks you to install it.

I opened the Silhouette link but it was rather slow.

Here's a direct link.

http://www.performancedesigns.com/silhouette.asp

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Viking 0]

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Yeah, I am so anal that I don't my bandwidth eaten by crap I don't need. And I am so anal that I want my site to reach as many of my customers as possible. This is what I do for a living so yeah, I might be a little anal about sites that don't work for as many people as possible. It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Glad you got in. Does not mean there is not a problem though. Glad you like to sit through flash intros when you don't really want to though. I don't.

I think its anal to avoid a site simply b/c it uses flash.

also intros don't bug me and if i don't care to watch them........i click the skip link....It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[Viking 0]

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Good for you. Here's a cookie.

Now what about people that have low-bandwidth connections or aren't running Flash?

What if someone who's blind (like jumper Dan Rossi) wants to visit the site. Their text-to-speech software isn't going to work with flash either.

The world is bigger than you.

mmm thanx for the cookie dude i knew you would have one around somewhere

as for low bandwidth..........oh god an extra..........minute to load!!!!! the world is gonna end!!!

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[popsjumper 2]

I won't repeat the rant, but Ian, you hit the nail on the head....

kinda like customer no-service, eh? Not to mention the waste of $$$.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[jsaxton 0]

And of cource, some of us are runninf Xnix and only have a flash 7 player available. :(

Guess I'll have to by an Icarus canopy.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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Yeah, I am so anal that I don't my bandwidth eaten by crap I don't need. And I am so anal that I want my site to reach as many of my customers as possible. This is what I do for a living so yeah, I might be a little anal about sites that don't work for as many people as possible. It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Glad you got in. Does not mean there is not a problem though. Glad you like to sit through flash intros when you don't really want to though. I don't.

I think its anal to avoid a site simply b/c it uses flash.

also intros don't bug me and if i don't care to watch them........i click the skip link....It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Tell the person that has a visual disability about using a site with Flash. It does not make 508 compliance easy. ANd that is the main point. Flash is NOT accessible by everyone or even the majority. Most people do not have broadband yet. So what do they do when whole sites are done in flash?

And if there is a skip intro then fine. Not every site has one.

And just so we note it, I was not the one who said they will not visit a site just because it has flash. But it does piss me off. Especially those flash popup ads. With sound is even worse.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[bob.dino 1]

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And if there is a skip intro then fine. Not every site has one.

My favourites are the sites that have a Skip Intro link in the Flash movie. It's so much fun downloading 3MB of junk over a dial-up link just so you can click on Skip Intro.

Oh, and when it comes to Flash, PD aren't the only offenders. Aerodyne are pretty awful too.

[IanHarrop 43]

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Yeah, I am so anal that I don't my bandwidth eaten by crap I don't need. And I am so anal that I want my site to reach as many of my customers as possible. This is what I do for a living so yeah, I might be a little anal about sites that don't work for as many people as possible. It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Glad you got in. Does not mean there is not a problem though. Glad you like to sit through flash intros when you don't really want to though. I don't.

I think its anal to avoid a site simply b/c it uses flash.

also intros don't bug me and if i don't care to watch them........i click the skip link....It really is not that hard to do....you just have to not be lazy.

Some sites like Aerodyne's are built on flash, not just the intro. Yes they have an html only version but it is not fully functional, by example you can't get to their on-line store unless you use the flash version.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[smiles 0]

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Couldn't agree more. Most often it is only used, because some half-taught webdesigner couldn't be bothered to leave his WYSIWYG cradle and learn some css. Many many flash sites could have made do with some decent css programming and standard compliant html.
---
Titties 'n' Beer

My world opened up when I purchased Flash 4--
(webdesign not on my mind)


I am a self taught graphic designer who works in CorelDraw 09 as a recreation and Flash inspired me due to it's ability to import my CorelDraw custom graphics.
(draw capabilities in Flash are for toddlers) I have just downloaded a free trial in Freehand 10 and taking some tutorials as thinking of upgrading to Flash8 this winter.

I still enjoy the hell -outa Flash 4
(inspiration)

and using it's "publish" feature regardless of any knowledge of: WYSIWYG, css,...or standard compliant html--(leaves more time for my creativity.)

1 of my many creations is a Skydive website under constant construction since 2000- all Flash.
http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/index.html
If you have the time I would luv some of your contructive critizism- re: Can this flash site be built with decent css programming and standard compliant html.??? Regardless that it's the "look how cool we are" mentality....wow....we have a wuffo ability to use flash----I can design a image gallery!! ...and have a riot doing it!! http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/image.html
or...build a little vault to display skydive graphics designed in flash:
http://members.shaw.ca/skydivegraphics/skydivegraphics.html

...am I abusing Flash or what??? I am NOT into webdesign, just into learning the features of a program.



SMiles

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Quote

Couldn't agree more. Most often it is only used, because some half-taught webdesigner couldn't be bothered to leave his WYSIWYG cradle and learn some css. Many many flash sites could have made do with some decent css programming and standard compliant html.
---
Titties 'n' Beer

My world opened up when I purchased Flash 4--
(webdesign not on my mind)


I am a self taught graphic designer who works in CorelDraw 09 as a recreation and Flash inspired me due to it's ability to import my CorelDraw custom graphics.
(draw capabilities in Flash are for toddlers) I have just downloaded a free trial in Freehand 10 and taking some tutorials as thinking of upgrading to Flash8 this winter.

I still enjoy the hell -outa Flash 4
(inspiration)

and using it's "publish" feature regardless of any knowledge of: WYSIWYG, css,...or standard compliant html--(leaves more time for my creativity.)

1 of my many creations is a Skydive website under constant construction since 2000- all Flash.
http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/index.html
If you have the time I would luv some of your contructive critizism- re: Can this flash site be built with decent css programming and standard compliant html.??? Regardless that it's the "look how cool we are" mentality....wow....we have a wuffo ability to use flash----I can design a image gallery!! ...and have a riot doing it!! http://www.vancouver-skydiving.bc.ca/image.html
or...build a little vault to display skydive graphics designed in flash:
http://members.shaw.ca/skydivegraphics/skydivegraphics.html

...am I abusing Flash or what??? I am NOT into webdesign, just into learning the features of a program.



SMiles

Yes, all that stuff, save for the swirly intro, could be done with css and be standards compliant. In fact the only reason Flash could ever be standards compliant is because the standard applies to HTML first and flash works within that realm. The site is pretty simple and Flash seems unneccessary. I would have just used Dreamweaver if I wanted WYSIWYG.

That being said, I have seen MUCH worse abuses of flash. The site is pretty lightweight. It works for you so go with it.

Like I said, I don't have a problem with Flash. I only have a problem when a business makes their site revolve around a HUGE flash file. Flash, when couple with a database CAN be quite powerful and useful.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.