Flash vs. the Iphone (need some advice)

[aracaris]

big edit:

So I've gotten to the point now where I have to start taking mobile devices into account when developing websites. Recently for example I had a client ask me to do some Flash, only for the client to realize later that Flash doesn't work on devices such as the Iphone.
Has anyone else here dealt with developing websites with mobile devices in mind?
What do you think is the best approach to make sure you end up with a site that is functional both on PC and Mac browsers such as FF, IE, Safari, etc...and mobile devices?

I know some people just make two separate sites, or just simplify their designs drastically, or just don't cater towards the Iphone and such. I"m not sure what the best approach is just yet.

 

[Vrecknidj]

As a user of both PCs and iPods, I recommend going with duplicates. When anyone navigates to your site, have some ability to send the user to the appropriate site (i.e. mobile or non-mobile) and have a non-flash alternative for the iPod user.

Eventually the Adobe v. Apple fight will be settled, but, until then, satisfy both client bases.

Dave

 

[RubberDucky451]

I know a lot of sites use a mobile version that will redirect the user to the specific page if it detects a mobile browser. It's probably best to make both and then have an option in the mobile version to be directed to the full version.

 

[aracaris]

Yeah, there definitely seems to be an Adobe vs. Apple/Mac thing going on, I can't help but wonder if Steve Jobs actually is sore over Adobe not sticking with being Mac exclusive.

Some people still expect all these rather limited devices out there now to function as well as a full blown computer for internet surfing, when the reality is there's a whole lot that those devices just aren't capable of. For example the iPhone is javascript handicapped, there's some rather basic javascript things that are just broken on it, making a lot of sites rather inaccessible to iPhone users, and then there's no java support at all...

It would be all well and fine if all of the users of "smart" phones, etc... realized the limitations of their devices (some do, and possibly to their disappointment since they may have had higher expectations). The impression I've gotten is many people expect for the internet to look and function in one consistent way, no matter what you are using to browse it, and of course that's not the case. It's starting to feel like we are drifting away from standards, back into the days of all sorts of proprietary features that only work on some particular device, in some particular browser.


I think the alternative site approach is good in some cases. My only concern is that it ends up costing clients more, which could be good for me, but also could be bad depending on the reaction of the client I'm dealing with.
In some cases I can imagine that I'd end up in a situation where I have to explain to a client just why it will take extra time and money to make a site work on something that they may think it just should work on anyways, and they may or may not be understanding of the issue.