Do you guys think a flash intro, if done properly, helps a website?

I do know that there are an awful lot of poorly done flash intros though. But I mean if it's well done.

I personally think it depends on the content of the site.

If the site is a web design site or a site for a club or DJ or something music or movie related then it definitely does.

But for a site like say google or amazon I would think it would really detract from the site's purpose.

What are you guy's opinions?

I suppose if you were given an option to either skip or play the intro like Homestarrunner does it would be good, but for a site with alot of frequent viewers, it's not nessicary.

I'd say skip it. Unless of course it's like a blog or a movie site, then maybe you could pull one off that wasn't annoying to the user and just wasting bandwidth.

Right. I never watch them unless it's the first time. . . somtimes. Like on Flash Player I never watch the intro, I just skip it.

I never watch 'em.... ever. :D

Well sometimes they are usefull. For example if you are doing an introduction on what the site is about or how to use it. On thelordoftherings.net there is a little intro (not flash) that explains a little bit about the site. Somthing like that would be good.