[webfunkin]

Hey,

I just had an idea and thought i should share it.

Wouldn't it be cool if there was a flash based forum software. It would be completely diff than all these php based forums. Something completely new, a breath of fresh air!!

These days, internet speeds are going skywards while prices are going the opposite side.. So i dont think the loading time will be a concern. On top of that most of the marketing sites use flash and many ad banners do the same. So does youtube, so most computers should be having the flash player installed.. So that shouldn't be a prob.

But, do you think it is feasible to make such a forum software?

If you are interested in working with me on something like this them mail me at webfunkin@gmail.com

Meanwhile, do post your thoughts here.

[d*d]

Loading speeds aren't the reason websites (including forums) aren't flash based, your idea lacks a basic grasp of web technologies

[webfunkin]

I know that loading thing was kinda lame... But this idea just struck me, so i was like, why not share it with you guys and see if it is feasible.

So can you pleas tell me if it is. I am pretty sure it can be created. But does it make sense to create it. These php based forums are kinda boring, interface wise, and a flash based thing would be pretty interesting. What say?

[herkalees]

Flash is meant for CDs and banners. And Youtube.

and... no, that's it.

[iblastoff]

flash based forum??? dumbest idea i've heard today.

[webfunkin]

Plus forums are supposed to be engage the user. They are supposed to be highly interactive. Obviously php has no problem in fulfilling the latter part. But, on the engaging the user front, i feel a lot of work can be done.

Imagine being able to see if someone else has posted a reply to a topic while you are replying to it. Or chatting with the creator of topic, and that conversation being added automatically as a set of replies or something like that. The interface can be more intuitive and help in doing things quicker than normal forums. As for the user interface, one can easily make the people go ga ga over it.

I really feel this is an interesting idea...

[sub]

Originally Posted by webfunkin

I really feel this is an interesting idea...

I say go for it. Once you're done post it up here for comments.

[webfunkin]

Have you heard of pandela? That is a web hosting company who have a flash based control panel, which is extremely cool. So, its not exactly used only for cds or banners or youtube. You might have heard of that flash based online photo editor(cant recall the name) too. That thing is too amazing. And ever heard of web apps and flash widgets. And then there is goowy, which is web mail service that uses flash... So as you can see, flash is used for many things..

[webfunkin]

Originally Posted by sub

I say go for it. Once you're done post it up here for comments.

but its not exactly an easy job. I will need help. Lots of it! And i think keeping it free and open will be a better thing... So lots of volunteers will be needed...

[sub]

Good luck with that.

[webfunkin]

Thanks!

So, is anyone interested in helping. I would also appreciate it if you could post constructive points, supporting or otherwise, for this idea.. Thanks.

[herkalees]

I'll give you a hand when I'm done with this sandwich... I'll let you know.

[seen.to]

I'll give you a hand

Seriously, not a great idea. Very much doubt you'll find anyone to help you with it but hey - come back in a year and prove us all wrong!

[Limbo]

I reckon you are all miserable old gets.

If it was done well, and could be integrated easily into flash sites of course it could do well.

Just be a total ballache - and not something I'd want to try and build - it'd have to be proper beautiful, and customisable.

Couldn't flex could handle the data?

[Larixk]

yup using flex would certainly add productivity.

Start out with something, launch that, open source that, submit that to the larger web-dev web logs, and watch the people flock at your project.

Don't expect for a open source project to take off from the start without an alpha, or a prove of concept even.

[freelancr]

It's been done before, and it wasn't so much loading times that were an issue, it was just a pita to use.

As it was done in flash everything couldn't just appear, it had to fade in once it had loaded, and the inability to open links in new tabs/windows makes browsing hard work. Flash sites generally are annoying as fuck to use. These forums aren't that busy but I still hit new posts and open about half of them in new tabs.

I assume the Adobe store uses flash and/or flex (sorry don't have a clue about this sort of stuff) and it annoys me how I cant look at several products at the same time by opening a link in a new window... and don't say just open another window because I would have to start from the beginning again to get to where I was to select the other product. Also it is really slow to use.

[pontypete]

Im sorry I havent read the full topic, However, No matter how much its AGAINST webstandards and things like that, I think a Flash based Forum would go down a treat! Little bits of animation here and there, I think if someone built a Flash based Forum like PHPBB (in flash form) this would be a Unique Niche which I think has a potential to be a big hit in the web industry, however I am not going to try and make something like this, but I would like to see it if it ever happens!

[MikeFalcor]

Originally Posted by pontypete

Im sorry I havent read the full topic, However, No matter how much its AGAINST webstandards and things like that, I think a Flash based Forum would go down a treat! Little bits of animation here and there, I think if someone built a Flash based Forum like PHPBB (in flash form) this would be a Unique Niche which I think has a potential to be a big hit in the web industry, however I am not going to try and make something like this, but I would like to see it if it ever happens!

Sorry, but I managed to come across this topic after googling 'Flash Based Forum.' I did read the entire topic and have seen nothing but disdain for a creation of this kind by the responders on this thread, save for a couple. That is such a shame...

For one, Flash web sites are SO much more appealing (if made correctly) than other other kind of site. Designers can make the UI much more interactive and can also make the entire site more like 'eye-candy' than any other type. Since word-of-mouth is more of a marketing tool these days than all else, having a web site that simply says 'WOW!' is the best way to increase traffic to said site. Flash accomplishes this...and then some. With Flash, if you, say, make a form, you can pass all variables without having to load any page outside of the Flash. You all should know what this means: You never have to leave the site or even go to another page to accomplish a task that would take multiple pages on any other site design language. This is only a small example too! I made an Flash-based online ordering system for a company a couple years ago that has increased traffic to the company's site more than 3-fold...all because the variables are all passed and confirmed along the way without the need for an additional page.

Secondly, now that Google is up with the times and is able to index Flash sites for better SEO, we no longer have to worry about being dropped down in G-ranks due to Flash site design limitations! So, why not use Flash?

Third, a picture says a thousand words, but motion says an infinite amount of words. Your PHP page may be cool and all, but nowadays, if it doesn't move or have a cool effect on it, your page is considered old-school. This, however, doesn't seem to apply to Corporate sites where functionality and reliability and held much higher than look and feel.

Now, back to the topic at hand: A Flash-Based Forum! If you Google for 'FlashBB' you will find that tufat.com has created a Flash front-end for phpBB/VBulletin. You may want to wander over to their site and have a look. It seems pretty cool, but would definitely need a redesign as it looks (1) too complicated for your average user and (2) a little harsh on the eyes.

Just my input.

[freelancr]

Originally Posted by MikeFalcor

Secondly, now that Google is up with the times and is able to index Flash sites for better SEO, we no longer have to worry about being dropped down in G-ranks due to Flash site design limitations!

Since when does Google index flash websites? It would have a job considering nearly all flash sites use javascript to embed it onto the page, and spiders ignore javascript!

If you want instant transitions between pages, then use Ajax... far superior to flash which is the king of loading times. Ajax is going to be just as quick, if not quicker than flash.

Flash for a forum would suck because it doesn't support stuff like tabbed browsing, being able to access certain sub sections of the forum via the url, doesn't support the back button, etc, etc, etc... I would go on but it has been done to death. A few pretty animations aren't going to make up for the fact that flash sites are a pita to browse.

Flash suits videos, music, galleries, games and microsites... making all your sites in flash isn't really a good idea.

[top_buzz]

being able to access certain sub sections of the forum via the url, doesn't support the back button

This'll help ya!

and there's this too.

Google reads Flash text, so optimize it