# Flash sparks Charitycards.co.uk debate in Guardian

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/1999/10/28/flash-sparks-charitycardscouk-debate-guardian/
- Published: 1999-10-28T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Last week’s letter in The Guardian Online concerning charitycards.co.uk’s use of
Flash technology on its Web site has spawned a reply on the supplement’s letters
page. Gordon Stevenson retorted that “the original web designer of charitycards 
was correct to use Flash, since 69.78% of all web browsers now have Flash player
installed.”
Mr Stevenson wondered “and what about the other 30.22% of lost customers?”
His answer – “why didn’t they simply install the free Flash player?”

So, the customer is wrong and needs to get the right technology to buy a charity
card online? That is hardly a customer- or indeed donor-focused approach.

Mr Stevenson’s argument that the technology is out there so use it is not uncommon.
However, charities sticking to it are likely to annoy donors and even more importantly
potential donors.

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