Those Web ads are simply everywhere. At least this one isn't promoting the newest laptop computer. Go ahead, take a look, and make our sponsor happy!

It's true. I am not an animated media oriented person. I don't even own a television set–by choice.

While comfortable working in the animated GIF format, I prefer to leave Flash (SWF) animation to others.

Don't get me wrong. With its efficient bandwidth utilization and smooth movement, the SWF format is an improvement on the GIF.

But it also requires a different way of working and thinking.

To me, using Illustrator^®, Photoshop^®, or a real brush and paint from a tube are variations on the same mental process. When I tried Adobe LiveMotion^TM animation software, it just didn't feel like my kind of thing.

Judicious use of animation can focus interest and add a new dimension to Web-based communication. But animation can also needlessly complicate the Web and make it less interactive.

Too often, I find, animation is incorporated into Web-based communication merely because it is possible, because it says "cutting edge".

As a user, I value the Web's interactive quality above its multimedia capability.

That's my rant against the excesses of animation. When it's well done–and not overused–Web animation can be wonderful, of course. For the most part, I am content to leave its creation to others.