Sometimes we seek out opportunities for growth, and embrace newfound knowledge gained with open arms. And sometimes we are dragged kicking and screaming toward growth opportunities we aren’t sure we want to take on. That latter scenario would describe me, the reluctant webmaster-by-default, attempting to learn just enough Flash and Javascript to update our company website.
Our company had a small web design and production department during the dot-com boom years. We have long since returned to our original print production roots, and like many other small businesses, we’ve been through some lean times lately. We’re hanging in there, though.
Unfortunately, that left me as the person most likely to be able to update the website, and one of my business partners as the person most likely to be able to design something presentable. He has actual design credentials and experience from his life before our company. I have zero credentials of any sort in web design or production.
The requirements for our design would be minimal for someone who had even a small clue about Flash. It was a little more painful for me, but I finally managed to finish our simple little gallery. I have had a major mental block about learning Flash. I’m usually a pretty quick study when learning new programs, and I’m pretty familiar with many other Adobe and Macromedia programs. Even with the help of well-regarded books and online tutorials, Flash has been kicking my ass. Hard.
The conditions weren’t really optimal for making this a great learning experience. The website redesign wasn’t of the highest priority, so there were many interruptions for other projects, and I found my train of thought getting derailed quite often. Even though the website update is just about ready to go live, and I have no real need to go near Flash again until a future redesign, I’d still like to be able to go back and make a better effort to learn the program. Why, I’m not sure, as I’m definitely not an advocate of Flash-heavy websites. I think I just want to say that I finally defeated Flash!
I’m with you on Flash! That and Dreamweaver stymie me on a regular basis. I need to buckle down and try harder on those.
After all, if I can manage to conquer Adobe Aggravater (Illustrator), I should be able to accomplish anything, right?
Good luck to you!
Right back at ya! That can be our mutual goal for 2009…. Flash is going dowwwwnnnnn!