Flash-Based Oracle MetaLink Sucks
By M&S Consulting (Ashok) on May 6th, 2009
Filed Under Technical Tips // Tags: in the trenches, web 2.0
Filed Under Technical Tips // Tags: in the trenches, web 2.0
I am a big fan of RIA, Flex, and Flash UIs in general. So, why do I feel that the flash-based version of Oracle MetaLink sucks? Here is a quick top 5:
- I usually develop on a machine other than my own: using remote desktop with anything flash-based is fairly useless in my experience. Waiting for animations to refresh on the screen is dreadful.
- I have more problems. I can’t say I liked the UI of the old MetaLink, but my experience was consistent and stable.
- I end up having to log-in more with the Flash version…rarely, but randomly…while I am using the site actively.
- My head hurts with everything going on in the new MetaLink
- Did I mention my head hurts? I need to go.
Note: I hope to start liking the new MetaLink soon. I realize the old one is going away at some point, so I better get on board, but I do hope Oracle comes up with a “MetaLink light” offering, with minimal movement and a stripped down interface (spelled “the existing/old MetaLink”).
Update - although Oracle did release the Flash-based MetaLink (and I have gotten more accustomed to it, by the way), there is indeed still access to a non-Flash version of MetaLink:
I meant to update the post a while back; thanks for commenting and reminding me ssu.
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Nov 11, 2009
Couldn’t agree more. It is truly awful. Yesterday it was hanging at 96% (proudly displaying “Improved Stability”). Today it returns a server error. You’d think that Oracle, which is a pioneer of many RIA technologies, would choose something other than flash…
Nov 12, 2009
Totally unstable. Sever error. Single-Sign-On sucks too (can’t change password). Somebody at Oracle should get fired.
Maybe Oracle laid off a bunch of support folks. Make the site unusable to cut down the actual support requests they have to handle…
Dec 11, 2009
Metalink is so bad. To think Oracle is proud of this? Totally unusable.
Feb 09, 2010
Try this.
supporthtml.oracle.com
Feb 09, 2010
Thanks for the reminder on this, ssu. I updated the post as well given that I hadn’t updated it since the new MetaLink was released.