There are many host sites and flash builder ones around the internet who offer a ready to go .fla movies.
It'll be a pain i the *, if you're going to build a flash website by yourself and you must know some actionscript in general, so I would recommend Macromedia Flash MX (yep, the common one)
good luck with your website

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quote:

Originally posted by 4am Sorry for the off topic question but this is where I hang out. I was wondering what application is best to build a Flash web site. I'd like something not overly complicated. I'm finally going to get some hosting and set up my artist site. Thanks and peace. -Heather

Macromedia Flash 8 (which is the successor of Flash MX 2004)

There are some other progs which can make Flash too, like Swish. But I would recommend Flash 8, I use it myself a lot (made some websites for companies).

Don't build your entire web site in Flash. Have an intro (with a "skip" button), a banner, even parts of your navigational interface in Flash if you really think that's necessary - but not the whole site.

I don't want to get into the whole argument again, but here are a few quick reasons why you should never do this:
1. Bookmarks don't work.
2. Browser navigation doesn't work.
3. Some people don't have Flash and don't want Flash.
4. Some people block Flash because of its use in intrusive ads and popups.

Sites made in 100% Flash just irritate viewers. You've been warned.

FYI, the only application that can make Flash elements is Macromedia Flash (surprise surprise).

___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
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and its a bitch to learn

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https://soundcloud.com/ghostea stuff

quote:

Originally posted by mysticalninja and its a bitch to learn

No, it's very easy to learn, that's the problem. It's just bad design.

___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut No, it's very easy to learn, that's the problem. It's just bad design.

thats a joke... its not bad design if its not flash only...

I hate flash sites...... css/xhtml....

___________________
"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"

I only hate flash sites that force you to sit thru long intros (no skip feature) and no sound off button. I hate sites that take a long time to load. But mine won't be that way.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut Don't build your entire web site in Flash. Have an intro (with a "skip" button), a banner, even parts of your navigational interface in Flash if you really think that's necessary - but not the whole site. I don't want to get into the whole argument again, but here are a few quick reasons why you should never do this: 1. Bookmarks don't work. 2. Browser navigation doesn't work. 3. Some people don't have Flash and don't want Flash. 4. Some people block Flash because of its use in intrusive ads and popups. Sites made in 100% Flash just irritate viewers. You've been warned.

I mostly agree on that one. When you develop a webpage, you should always keep your audience in mind when developing a personal homepage. If you want everybody to be able to enjoy it, make two versions. One HTML and one Flash version.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut FYI, the only application that can make Flash elements is Macromedia Flash (surprise surprise).

That's not correct. You can develop flash-pages with many other programs. Some even has built in templates, so you just fill in the text and voila. Done!

Personally I wouldn't make any of my pages in Flash due to some of the arguments diginut pointed out. On the other hand, Flash has a couple of advantages. It's based on a standard. It WILL look the same in any browser and it's more interactive than DHTML can ever be.

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IMO unless your super serious about flash authoring, Macromedia Flash MX isn't really the way to go. it is quite hard to get your self up and running when your new and its also quite expensive!

Use swish..

http://www.swishzone.com/

Made for the newer user in mind, very powerful and much cheaper (about a 1/3 of the price) than MX!

I'm surprised everyone's saying Flash is hard etc. Flash is one of the easiest things to learn and the interface is intuitive as hell. Besides, it's great fun, limitless possibilities, you can go as far as your imagination.