A Brief History of Flash
Flash is (was) a software much beloved by early web site creators and pretty ubiquitous in the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the late 90’s, early 00’s. Flash programming’s innovation was that one could use buttons to create interactive websites and games to be viewed in a Flash Player. Unfortunately, the Flash player is in part what led to the downfall of Flash. The need for a Flash player to display any site, the fact that hackers could easily exploit vulnerabilities, and Apple’s decision to not support Flash on the iPhone in 2010 as they felt it was not compatible with a mobile platform all led to the demise of Flash.
Flash players are now disabled in most modern web browsers, leaving viewers of Flash-only websites looking at a puzzling puzzle piece. Adobe will no longer support Flash at all starting in 2020.Unfortunately, some really amazing early websites were created using Flash. You can see some of them in this exhibit. Just be aware that you will have to activate your Flash player to view them.
*Update - It's now May of 2021 and the Flash player is no more. The kind folks over at ruffle.rs have created a Flash player emulator that you can install as a browser extension that will allow you to view the flash sites on ibiblio and elsewhere.
For more info about the history of Flash see here:
https://thehistoryoftheweb.com/the-story-of-flash/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Flash
https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/
Listed below are some of the Flash sites that we host, you'll have to allow Flash in order to view them. (*or the ruffle.rs Flash player emulator)
Ethnojournalism.org: multimedia literacy, empowerment and storytelling
Gnawa Stories - Somewhere in Morocco. Between African Shamanism and Islam. Between primitive traditions and modernity. At the crossroads of Globalism. You will find the Gnawa: Mystical Musician Healers from Morocco.
Internet - A brief history of the Internet, done as a multimedia Flash presentation
Preserving North Carolina Folk Arts is an integral part of the folk art tradition and shares the stage with crafting and fine-tuning the various art forms.
North Carolina Treasures - A site dedicated to the rich history of the state of North Carolina. This site was created by Piedmont Community College first year DEAT Students.
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, is a professional service organization composed of pre-law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials.
Remembering Casper - Tribute to fallen Cobra helicopter pilot, Major John M. Walsh, USMC
San Pedro de Atacama Multimedia Documentary - A multimedia documentary project on the culture, landscape, and people of San Pedro de Atacama, a small desert village in northern Chile.
'Sup online is a supplement to the quarterly print version of Chapel Hill's own music, art and film zine.
Travel - Exploring opportunities for college study and internships abroad, this site features photographs, interviews and links to organizations which offer travel opportunities.
Triangle NC IAF is a broad based, interfaith and ecumenical organization that uses the model of leadership development and community organizing of the IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation). Please visit the multimedia Durham CAN website - a member of Triangle NC AIF