360° Virtual Tours Come in Three Format Options
Sarno Photography & Graphic Design™'s 360° virtual tours are available in both low and high resolutions and come in, Flash, or Java, or Quick Time if requested, for on and off-line use. I typically implement my virtual tours on my clients' websites in Flash or some times Java and they, therefore, rarely require a plug-in. This allows my images to be viewable on the vast majority of end users' computers. Flash and Java are widely used on the internet and most computers will have them installed. My 360° virtual tours are formatted so that even Dial-up users can view the tour. QuickTime requires a plug-in and if viewers do not have a plug-in they need to download and install the 20mb QuickTime viewer. This may cause some web users not to return to your website. Flash or Java also allow more diverse functions than QuickTime. QuickTime is available if needed.
Which format is better Flash, Java, or QuickTime?
The quality of all there viewers is now almost the same. QuickTime is a bit smoother than the Java and Flash versions, especially for high resolution, full-screen 360° panoramic photographs. This is because QuickTime uses less computer resources. The Flash or Java versions add more functionality to the tours and more web users have Java and Flash installed on their computers. With Java or Flash I can create interactive site maps with compasses. Flash has the added benefit of more advanced animation and transitions for nicer looking 360° virtual tours all while being more compatible. QuickTime is also less likely to be on the viewer's computer and they will have to leave your website to download a large plugin and then return to your website. Sarno Photography & Graphic Design™ uses the Flash viewer because of its versatility and I want to limit the chance of your clientele leaving your website and not returning.
Will the virtual tours work in all browsers?
All major browsers support Flash, Java, and QuickTime and the majority of web surfers have Flash and Java installed on their computers. Next to Flash, Java is the most common browser plug-in installed on web users' computers. QuickTime can also be downloaded by the viewer free of charge and installed on all major web browsers.