Top 3 Flash Chart Components

Today we could find plenty of flash chart and graph components for appropriate data visualization. We can name some of them.

FlyCharts (http://flycharts.net) – highly functional and easy-to-use flash chart component. It is interactive, scalable and flexible with external JavaScript interface and DHTML Grid integration.

Open Flash Chart (http://teethgrinder.co.uk/open-flash-chart) - is an open source project providing flash charts that can present data in a variety of formats. It has classes written in PHP, Perl, Python, Java, Ruby on Rails, and .Net.

FusionCharts (http://www.InfoSoftGlobal.com/FusionCharts) - A Flash based 3D and 2D animated charting component with a number of options including AJAX/JavaScript integration.

In fact, the list is almost endless and for sure can be added with such tools as SWF/XML Charts, AmCharts, AnyCharts, Google Chart API, etc.

The usage of just one of these tools are surely catches the visitor’s attention and make them feel and understand what is hidden behind the figures and not to leave the site thereby.

Top 5 Things Web Developers Miss Without Flash

Flash offers innumerable options for the web design and development. Those who ignore it lose very much.

1. Light Graphics of High Quality

Before Flash appeared the majority of Internet graphic content consisted of bitmap images. They were static, large and heavy to download. Besides attempts to rescale the image leaded to quality loss. As contrasted to it, Flash is based on vector graphics the advantages of which are small file size, no quality reduction on resize and little download time.

2. Attractive Animation

Flash can be used to create animation to enhance visitor’s impression of the website. Separate Flash clips or navigation elements such as buttons or menus are all Flash animation. With proper usage it certainly makes website catchy.

3. Interactivity

Static websites will never be able to offer the level of interactivity Flash has. It can automatically generate dynamic live charts based on the updating information. Numerous dynamic interface elements, interactive menus and buttons capable to react to cursor moves are also made with Flash. All these make it possible for a user to interact with a website.

4. Streaming

Online streaming video playback means that user can watch the file before it is downloaded in full. So beloved YouTube, Google video or MySpace video will be impossible without Flash as all they use Flash technology to play video and audio.

5. Sound

Although not a widely used feature, sound can be embedded into Flash elements either on background or as a synchronized component which matches a separate action or function. Flash can recognize a variety of audio file formats and provide restricted editing options.