Popup VS Full Screen

[J_Paul]

Maybe it's just me, but there is nothing worse than going to a Flash site that opens up a full screen browser that takes over your computer.

What do you all think about using Popups VS. Full Screen?

I personally think that using a full screen flash movie is intrusive to the viewer.

Let me know what you think.

[IWSTechHead]

My personal taste is towards functionality, if the site design dictates an immersive environment, and the interface pull this approach off, then full screen isn't so much an issue. I REALLY dislike pop-ups though I realize they may be a necessary evil sometimes. The sites that REALLY irk me are the ALL-FLASH sites that use a full screen approach even though they display the site in the center of the screen at 760px X 420px or smaller, what a waste of space.

[J_Paul]

I agree with your functionality statement, but if your designing for the web shouldn't your functionality be towards the browser rather than taking a full screen?

[IWSTechHead]

I think it really depends on the site. I would never initially suggest that a client use the full screen approach, though I wouldn't avoid it if I thought it might further hammer in a sales pitch.

I don't see the need for full screen if a site has more functionality than to sell a product or service. I've a few developer friends who are purists and would never work outside of the "intended" use of the web browser, I'm of the school that if you think you can pull something off with a particular technology, something the developers may not have intended, it does nothing but help your options for future development to try it.

[J_Paul]

Ok, your making me feel like jacob neilson here!

I think full screen can have uses, but I'd have to be wowed to keep the page open for very long.

Also, for some reason most full screen movies won't even open on either of my computers. I mean it'll open, but I can't "open" it to see it. Makes for an annoying feature.

BTW.. I like the imageworks site :)

[blastradius]

I would have to say I would rather the flash move just opened in the original browser window. But if I need to pick between the popup and the full screen I would take the popup. The full screen seem a little intrusive to me. The higher the screen res. the more intrusive it is. You just get use to sites taking up a fraction of the screen. What I hate even more is the popup full screen that removes all window elements. Hate having to look all over for the close window button so I can have control of my computer again.

[blastradius]

I would have to say I would rather the flash move just opened in the original browser window. But if I need to pick between the popup and the full screen I would take the popup. The full screen seem a little intrusive to me. The higher the screen res. the more intrusive it is. You just get use to sites taking up a fraction of the screen. What I hate even more is the popup full screen that removes all window elements. Hate having to look all over for the close window button so I can have control of my computer again.

[IWSTechHead]

When you say movie, do you mean quicktime, flash, or something else?

You using a Mac or PC?

It looks like we mostly agree then about the usage of full screen. I think if possible BOTH pop-up and full screen should NOT be used.

Thanks for the site comment, do you have any good ones you visit often or are impressed by?

http://www.homestarrunner.com has me in a trance right now.

[J_Paul]

I mean Flash movie... using a PC here.

I think we do agree on it with trying NOT to use it if possible.

No problems on the comments.. and yes I have tons and tons of Flash Sites that I'm impressed with.

You should subscribe to FlashNewz. I usually am able to post 2-3 really interesting Flash sites each week.

Here are some of my favs.
http://www.romiglia.com/esenciales/index.html
http://www.neostream.com/
http://www.blitzds.com ( This one needed a pop up I swear! )
http://www.propellerheads.se/home/frankfurt2003/frankpop.htm ( Best Flash and Music entro EVER )

Ok, for a new topic :) I'm going to repost this in a new topic....
Fav Flash Sites
http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=865

[IWSTechHead]

Fantastic sites! I realized who you were after I posted the question.

I guess my answer came down to Pop-up over full screen. HAH.

[IWSTechHead]

...and I was waiting for someone to say www.estudio.com
Those guys were so ridiculously ahead of the curve when the first version was released.

[J_Paul]

Lord do the pictures look that different? LOL

After all that to a pop-up haha

Yea estudio is one of my top 10.. and has been forever

[J_Paul]

I have a probably silly question, but has anyone been having trouble with users such as AOL and other programs that keep pop-up windows from opening viewing their sites that use pop-ups?

[citypublife]

We designed our site with a full screen. It looked better, it was bigger and most importantly our proper visitors, the public, did not complain at all.

However, we got so much crap from designers, we decided to give people a choice. I still prefer the full screen.

www.citypublife.co.uk/searchindex.htm

[ffloro]

Full screen doesn't bother me as much as the
design derivatives that are useless and meaningless
to the site's message. What's important is how to
get the users interested on what the site is all
about to begin with. Popups can be annoying
sometimes for they create problems like closing-
out-from-your-browser type of problem. But
they are useful if they are within the intended
design of the site's architecture. While "space"
is not much of an issue (because if you think
about it the only space is in actuality
the server space), a well-designed site can
be intriguing and keeps the users attention
where they're suppose to.

regards,

Francis

[seoimage]

You should give people a choice and take advantage of the splash page by using it for the Search Engines to rank.

Hope this helps!

[poodyglitz]

It is initially jarring to have a virtual explosion in your face when a window goes full screen. I feel like I've been taken captive by that kind of site. If I can't see my desktop, I've got a problem.