"Flat" design DOES NOT MEAN links aren't in a contrasting color. Or not in all caps.
Isn't anyone looking at the examples? The "good" one has the link in a contrasting color, all caps, and is underlined. The "bad" one has the link the same color as the text, upper/lower case, and no underline. Neither link example has 3D or shading effects, which means this isn't a test of flat design. It seems more like an example of bad flat design vs. good flat design.
Flat design typically puts links in a contrasting color, or perhaps in white text in a shaded box to stand out (no 3D button effect, just strong contrast). It can often use all caps. Standing out is just good design. You don't need 3D effects to do that.
My conclusion is that the testers have no idea what flat design means, and created a faux test to try to create news.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
