Hi Everyone,

Does any one know any site where I can find out how to build an entire Flash website with Joomla!?

I have just learnt about Joomla! and I have been searching on the web, unfortunately I have not come across any...

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you.

LLK

Hi Loo Kim Lim!

Well, I don't believe you will be able to build a "whole" web site using flash on Joomla.
There is so such integration between Joomla and Flash. Once you export your SWF files created from Flash they will be "locked" and non editable by Joomla.

You have the option to use bit and peaces of Flash in your Joomla web site. Joomla provides modules where you can insert custom code/content. You can set up modules with your flash animations and display them wherever you want in your web site.

Now, if you want to change your flash animation you will probably have to reedit on Flash and then export and upload to Joomla.

If you are not happy with this solution you can even make a dynamic flash animation that reads from a file. In that case you wouldn't need to import/export the flash animation every time you need a simple change, you would just need to change the file from where the flash is reading from.

Particularly I don't like entire flash web sites as they are hard to manage, non accessible, and also tricky to make accessible from search engines.

Hope have helped!
Good luck

Jose Soares

Hi Jose,

Thank you so much for your help.

Can you please advise how I can create this dynamic flash animation to read from the file in Joomla? How do I make reference to the file in Joomla? Where can I find the codes that make this work?

I'm sorry I have only learnt about Joomla 2 days ago and I am totally lost! I appreciate your help.

Loo Kim

Loo Kim Lim,

Flash animations that read from files is not a Joomla "thing". It just helps you to update for example text on animation without having to open it in flash and export again.

You can simply create an animation that reads from a text file using Action Script. Eg:
www.flashmove.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6448

Now, if you want to integrate the whole process on Joomla you will probability end up having to build a custom extension. Which required knowledge on the Joomla Framework as well as programming.

Let me know how you go.

I'd have to agree with Jose.

Websites built totally in flash do miserable in the Search Engine Ranking unless you are also serving an alternate html version of the site. Even then, you have to be careful to not show one thing to the search engines in html while another to your users in flash. This is frowned upon by Google and the rest.

I would consider only using small bits of flash to enhance your site. Also if you really want a flash intro page you can do that page only and then once they enter the site the rest is maintained by Joomla. But splash pages aren't all that in my opinion. Unless of course you have a huge marketing and PR budget to help send people to your site or your customer usability studies have shown some great need for a splash page or entire site in flash.

If you need an entire site in Flash then just just adobe. Search engines are getting better at reading flash but I don't think they are there yet and it's definitely not reliable.

Cheers,

Rich

Thanks very much for you advices, I appreciated that.

LK

No Worries, I think you'll find Joomla much more flexible than just using straight flash.