It seems that some people have quite strong opinions concerning Flash content on websites.

How do you feel about Flash?
Do you have any favourite Flash applications and games?
Any really awful examples of how not to use Flash?

Personally, I wish Flash was used more sparingly. I think it's a great tool for complex interactive content, but should never be used for stupid animated adverts!

I see it as a last resort.

There are very very few applications that I actually think work well, and it's the best option.

If executed well, it's fantastic. The downside is the iPwn doesn't support it. Not sure if the other phones do or not but IMo given more people are using their phones to surf the net, I think this is an important consideration.

Sparingly and appropriately.

It does strike me some developers and designers - those who create really annoying advertising, I'm looking at you - use it inappropriately.

I used to be an immense Flash advocate. I used to use it in web design work. Now I've realised my folly, and although Nick won't appreciate this, I can do the same things Flash used to do with JavaScript.

this website is an example of Flash hell

this page is perhaps the worst on the whole site, once its loaded (takes about a minute) try using the Flash-based product selector with task manager/appropriate CPU usage monitor open

it causes 100% CPU usage even on the system in my sig, which tbh is utterly appalling.

I've never been clear on this - do the Apple devices support JavaScript but not Java applications, or neither, or both now?

I have to say, generally I'd use Java or JavaScript before I'd use Flash. That's mostly because the development tools are free, but also because I find it a lot less confusing. I haven't actually used Adobe since MX, and I don't have it installed at all any more. To be honest, I'm more likely to use magical unicorns than Flash.

Where is the poll option for
"Ah-ah, saviour of the universe!" ?

http://theflashblog.com/?p=1703

I have a strong dislike for websites that are heavy with flash. Games are ok because you generally expect a little time to download, but websites should be instant.

I tend to avoid sites built on flash - if it is used for streaming video, fine, but any more than that and I look elsewhere.

I don't know about iPhones and stuff, but the Mac OS has supported Java applications since the late 1990s. Don't forget Java and JavaScript are not the same thing.

The problem is the iteration of the Java engine on the Mac seems to be horribly slow and flakey. I turn it off because it's so bloody annoying.

It can be good when used appropriately. Games are fair enough, no excuse for videos IMO.
Sites designed exclusively in Flash are visually pleasing, but completely useless. I can't search them, they take up stupid amounts of RAM and CPU time, is the visual look so great that a lack of basic functionality is lost and my computer is paying the price for it? I don't think so.

EDIT:
It also takes a longer time to download than text (and therefore JavaScript), so JS is a better way to go. even I'll agree with that. (But you'll never get better than plain XHTML IMO)

JJ, iPhone support JavaScript, it would have been really stupid of Apple to have missed out on that.

'I usually have it blocked' - via NoScript, so I then decide if it'll run on a site by site basis...

'It should be used very sparingly and appropriately' - because some sites seem designed purely to appeal to those people that think Michael Bay is the greatest film director ever

It's good to see that most people agree with me

Anyone want to offer examples of Flash being executed in a good way?

I'll start with a couple of games which wasted many hours of my life:

http://iwakura-lain.mybrute.com/

http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/Game.asp

Possibly the best online game ever.