When you think about it, Flash has close similarities to AJAX– both took the web by storm and both present an interactive option to create the web interface. But what if we look at the eras when the two technologies reached their respective Golden Ages? In this match-up, which technology was able to “blow away” the web?
Macromedia Flash in 2000
The year 2000 was not only a turning of a new millenium but also the year when Flash was lording it over in the web. Flash was practically the killer feature companies would like to see on their websites. Name it– splash pages, navigation menus, interactive content, banner images, and even full websites– designers would incorporate Flash for visual appeal and, of course, the cool factor.
Flash sites that captured the web audience were primarily creative forces. Some of the sites leading the way were: (Screenshots from OrganicPixel)
AJAX in 2006
AJAX is such a buzzword today that you can hear the buzzing sound from the other side of the world. From a technology standpoint, this is not really something we haven’t seen before. DHTML was a virtual unknown when it entered the web development scene, but when it was rebranded as AJAX, that’s when things turned around for this Javascript-based technology.
AJAX applications addresses some of the interface limitations of XHTML while retaining some of the strengths of web pages. Here are some of today’s top AJAX websites:
Smack!
Going head-to-head, AJAX clearly had the advantage of being used for more productive applications relative to Flash. (I don’t think I’ve heard of a Flash-based office suite in 2000). AJAX also has its share of weaknesses, like heavy dependence on Javascript and lack of a good development environment.
But from a user experience standpoint, Flash has always had the muscle to create a more engaging enviroment when used properly. One knock against Flash during that time was the use of excessice animation. That resulted in making “SKIP INTRO” the most clicked link that year. 
Over-all, Flash in 2000 gave site builders a platform to exercise the imagination, but was ultimately hurt by the abuse of some designers. AJAX is enjoying strong support from the major players like Yahoo! and Google and will probably be a platform to be reckoned with… until of course a new buzzword technology supplants it.
