FineTune - Finally Flashie For A Purpose

I admit, I have a love/hate relationship with Flash.  Flash used to illustrate a process, demonstrate a product, introduce a company, provide interactivity within a small space, etc. is all flash for good.  But, I frankly find flash for the most part used by uneducated 'traditional graphic designers' who think the web is the same size as their 5x8 postcard.  The gratuitous use of preloaders, disabling of browser controls, hard to read tiny rasterized type, the list goes on and on...it all leads to a BAD user experience.  Most of these types of designers have just been too lazy, or not smart enough to learn how to embrace a new tool.  People who subscribe to this type of web design (and you know who you are) are dying off because customers wont accept it anymore.

That said, I recently came across a couple new Flash based tools that are simply amazing.  Each demonstrates Flash used for good, and for a purpose.

the first is a product called FineTune
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Another music player...I know, who cares right?  This one is different and better. FineTune lets you immediately load and play music you like.  Using a 'cloud' style feed, FineTune suggests other artists you may be interested in.  There is nothing to download, and from the record company perspective, there is nothing to steal. Its got a little social networking value in that you can create and share your playlists with others.  You can also integrate this into websites, or blogs should you desire.  It's a nice tool to look at and a very innovative spin on something thats very trite and boring.
visit: www.finetune.com

the second is a website from an amazing interactive agency known as: RED
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I promise you will kill an hour figuring out this little world they have created.  Try navigating around, figure out the controls, and oh, by the way, learn about what they do and who they do it for.  Pretty damn amazing on all fronts.
visit: www.ff0000.com/universe

There you have it...Flash, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose.

Enjoy.

WBV