Expert: Andre Hickman - 9/30/2004

Question
Hi,

My supervisor would like me to do some research for a tool that is similar to the Microsoft Outlook "Office Assistant" animated email tool, where the tool would become active if a user hovers over certain webpages elements (i.e., links, images, audio, video elements) providing an animated image that is clickable to provide online help related to the web element that the mouse if hovering over.

Do you know if there is such a tool that exists as shareware/freeware or for purchase? Would this be something that would have to be created in Flash by the web developer? Do you think this is a good solution to build for the web?

Answer
Hello Dennis,

I do not know of any software that will directly do what you are wanting. But just because I'm not aware of it doesn't mean it's not out there.  I believe that you are going to do exactly as you stated, get a graphic animator and a flash developer to create the effect that you want.

As to whether it is a good idea or not...Well, I think it really depends on your audience.  If the site is for kids under 13 years then it might be a pretty clever thing. However, someone my age (29) might think it is cute, but when I am going to a sight for information, I'm not necessarily looking for entertainment, and so I would strongly urge you to consider the audience that the sight is for. The flash pop-ups may only need to contain text if the site is intended for a more mature or professional audience. As far as those assistants in Microsoft Office go...they annoy me after a while and I turn them off.

Cheers,
Andre'