My bf did some contract web stuff for a friend of 
his.  He knows Flash and he wanted to use it for 
her site, but she said absolutely not.  It 
requires people to do things in order to be able 
to use it, which most people will not like.  A 
lot of older people and younger kids dont 
understand things like that, so they're at a 
loss.  You cant force a 70 yr old man to be on 
the cutting edge of technology...I should 
know...my folks can barely use the mouse ^^;.  
Bottom line is...you want your site to be user 
friendly...at any cost.  Flashy stuff is like a 
Christmas tree with too many lights...does it 
really add anything, or is it just gaudy?  I 
realize the need to show your talents at 
programs...but you shouldnt do it where it's not 
needed.  Like my site...I have a lot of crap on 
there that I think most people hate...but I did 
it to show I knew how to do certain things.  I 
know my site is not on many people's top ten list 
of easy-to-view sites. That I regret :\  For a 
bussiness to use Flash on their site, they're 
taking a risk.  Personally I cant stand Flash 
sites...I have respect for the tricks...but it 
doesnt make up for the stress my machine has to 
go through to view it...  I want to get in, 
see/buy what I want, get out.