Why Flash 9 for Linux is taking so long?

By "jzb"
11/30/06

The article I chose to read is a question all Linux users have on their mind right now, why did Adobe delay the launch of Flash 9 for the Linux operating software? Adobe seemed to skip over Linux when releasing their latest version of Flash 9. Linux currently only has a beta version of the program. There are actually a few reasons for this and all the answers were found by speaking with Paul Betlem, the Senior Director of Engineering for Adobe.

Betlem discusses several factors that have contributed to the tardiness of Flash on Linux. The first issue is the complexity of porting the Flash player to Linux due to differing libraries used for sound, video and type on different Linux distributions. Quoted from Betlem’s interview, he states: “Some distribution have different versions of libraries, and in a goal to provide compatibility across as many distributions and configurations as possible, we have to sort of reconcile all those differences and present a consistent cross-platform runtime, so that was probably our biggest challenge.”

Betlem then goes on to say that browser support is a problem. Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows builds of Firefox are different, and adobe has to factor those differences in when trying to port the Flash plug-in to Linux. The last issue for this dilemma is the testing of all the configurations and option may take a good amount of time. The article goes on to talk about the issue with 64-bit compatibility issues. 32-bit versions of Flash 9 is currently available, however, many users are anticipating a 64-bit versions. Adobe states that they are “committed” to creating one, they just don’t know when.

This topic is very important for different reasons. This issue may not affect Mac or Windows based users, but for the Linux users that use Flash on a regular basis cannot take advantage of all of Flash 9 capabilities. Linux systems are great for hosting large websites and commerce stores due to the simple and stable infrastructure. With this said, there are many web developers that find their workspace on Linux machines. Now that you can see, this issue can affect the whole global market of web design.

After reading this article, I actually gained a little more respect for Linux and their users. I sort of felt bad for them. Us Mac/Windows users take advantage of the ease of jumping on Flash 9 and being able to create rich flash projects. I now can understand the demand for software developers to create an equal opportunity for all OS that are used. I also learned that it is a lot of work to have to develop a program for each OS because they are built very differently. I have also gained respect for software companies and the developers that work for them. With all this said, I am proud to say I am a designer and I use the tools that developers make.

Macromedia Realeases Software Subscription Service

The article I chose was from February of 2003. It was when Macromedia announced that there software subscription service would give developers access to a broad range of Macromedia products for development and testing purposes, including licenses for both client-side and server-side tools, exclusive access to online tutorials and technical resources, extensions, utilities, and early access to product updates. There called DevNet Subscriptions.

The service operates similar to existing developer subscription services from other vendors, such as Microsoft's MSDN subscription program and IBM's Developer Toolbox. Macromedia's DevNet offers two subscription levels: Professional and Essentials.

The Professional subscription includes full, single user-license versions of all products in Macromedia's Studio MX Suite (Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and Freehand) as well as the Contribute content management product. It also includes development-only license versions for Macromedia's server products: ColdFusion, JRun, Flash Remoting, and the Flash Communication Server.

The Essentials subscription includes only the DRKs (one per quarter) at a cost of $299 per year, per developer. The Essential subscription does not include any software licenses. To support the new DevNet initiative, Macromedia tapped into its online developer resource center, called DesDev. DesDev changed its name to match that of DevNet and became a portal that supports DevNet subscribers. Hale said that some resources and discussion groups would remain freely available to the public while others would be cordoned off for DevNet subscribers.

Finally, the company also announced the official MX version of Freehand. Freehand is one of the last products, and the last product in the Studio MX Suite, to be upgraded to the MX designation. According to a company press release, enhancements to Freehand in the MX version include user interface changes, new productivity tools and panels, better integration with Flash MX, and better performance on Mac OS X.

So basically what it comes down to is that Macromedia was having there products tested by developers to spread there ideas of the way they do things. It also gave developers a chance to experience the power of these programs without having to purchase the whole package.

first article/Apple Iphone

Sara Colvard
Apple iPhone
Mercury News
Now, `it's all about the iPhone'
APPLE'S LATEST PRODUCT OVERSHADOWS STRONG HOLIDAY SALES, PROFIT

For Apple Company The new Iphone was announced last week and the predictions for it are both good and bad there are many worries about the effect from it on other products to the effect on the company. The apple company was happy with the out come for the holidays with the sales of the Ipod.
The iphone isn’t expected until June but there are still very eager people for it. The company is worried about the effect on the sales of the ipod. Last quarter blew through the expectation on wallstreet. At a one hour conference the interest in the new iphone was the main topic but the company still ha few answers about it because it is still to soon,
The new phone is very new type apples first phone on the market it has been the first topic for apple lately. The shares for apple on Wall Street have both risen and fell. With the ipod making 1 billion in share over the holiday that was way above what was hoped. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected the company to earn 77 cents a share on sales of $6.42 billion.
The apple profit was 565 million for the shares. The investors though still have jitters about the shares. Apple sold 969,000 notebook computers in the just-completed period, up 65 percent from the same period a year earlier. Even more impressive, the company saw $1.46 billion in revenue from those sales, up 79 percent from the holiday quarter of 2005.

Alternatives to Flash Animation?

When looking for alternatives to Flash animation, one has two basic choices; stay in-house with Macromedia products and utilize Macromedia Shockwave, or utilize GIF animations. Sometimes Flash is not affordable enough for independent web designers and they will need to look at alternatives. Shockwave is widely used in the delivery of online mini-games and cartoons and provides a very similar graphic quality to flash-rendered animations, while a GIF animation is usually a shorter, choppier, color-depth lacking piece.

Shockwave is a powerful program and language but definitely also has draw-backs. Its strengths include the ability to deliver audio and video in an attractive and easy to use format. The quality of said visuals is on par with Flash, most would agree, but frankly, this is where the benefits stop. Nearly 100% of all browsers have the Flash plug-in but nearly none have the Shockwave plug-in. The install file for the plug-in is considerably larger than that of the Flash one and sometimes the web browser will confuse the two and try to play one file with the wrong extension. It is also “not optimized for web delivery” as the author of the article would put it. It is better at using local files, not ones it has to download or stream via Internet.

The second alternative is to use GIF images. GIF's can be produced via the Flash software, Adobe ImageReady/PhotoShop and some third-party software programs. At its core, the GIF is a series of images with adjustable playback rate and the ability to preserve transparency, thus allowing some serious flexibility for web use. Also, file size is relatively small and is able to be displayed easily on most browsers. The downside to GIF's is that the animation is rarely as smooth or rich as a Shockwave or Flash one, and there is a serious lack of color depth.

What this all really boils down to is this: although there are alternatives to Flash, none can come close to offering the flexibility, power, and eye-candy of Flash. The author of this article has an obvious bias towards Flash and I can fully understand why. With the closest competition struggling to keep close, Flash has a clear, unrivaled stranglehold on web development as the top media-delivery platform. Audio and video together, relatively small file sizes, and plenty of vector-style rendering grunt.

In my opinion, Flash should be even more widely utilized by web developers and pushed to the utter forefront of the “new” Web 2.0. I see this being the new wave in web design to deliver the ultimate of experiences for web users and designers alike.

-Keegan (the ONLY pc guy)

first article

Bridgette Blenker
Flash article 1
Current events
Mobile Flash Art: cell phone as artistic platform
1/18/07


The article I chose was Mobile flash art cell phone as artistic platform, on http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/11/29/mobile-flash-art-the-phone-as-artistic-playground/ . This article discuses how people in Japan are customizing their phone with flash lite.
Now what is flash lite? It is in definition is “Flash Lite is the Flash technology designed for mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. Flash Lite dramatically accelerates the delivery of rich content and browsing, and customized user interfaces” In short it is .a flash program used to make cell phone animation. At least that’s what so many kids and artist are doing in Japan. They’re making their art and illustrations know by using this program. You wouldn’t expect designers to use a create animation for little cell phones but they do. Know this seems to be amazing to us since we only take picture and play music on our cell phones but know where able to make animations and use them as wallpaper, screen savers, or calendars on our cell phones. That’s amazing.
This article is important because it is a new way flash is being used, and in a way that it can be marketed. Cell phones are already popular and everyone wants customized things know a days it’s the style and customizing your own phone with wallpaper, screen savors and calendar would be awesome. It fits in the palm of your hand and you can carry it around. This is something ready to blow up over here in the US.
I never heard of this but it’ sounds awesome I think if college and high school kids heard about this they it would become a new rave over hear as well as in Japan. This can be marketed to anyone especially designers. Like when the ipod came out the PSP, I can see this being the new thing.
Flash used like this is very interesting. And it being used like this can be very popular. I hope it crosses over to The US

First Blog

Meredith Helms

Subject: Flash from the Past, Helps Predict the Future

The article I found and read is called “Vision of Flash-based Web raises doubts”, and the subtitle “Flash Macromedia is lobbying for designers and Web-application developers to create entire pages in Flash. But detractors say such an approach could stifle innovation.” Explains the general gist of the article. Its an older piece, written April 1, 2002 by David Becker. Not the most recent of course, but I feel it is still relevant because it shows what was going on in the past, as compared to now days.

The article shows different opinions about the idea of creating entire flash-based webpages. Many people thought it would be a great idea, to eliminate having to refresh pages constantly, like it says “easier-to-use transaction sites with content that, through Flash-enabled browsers, can be updated selectively rather than having to redraw the entire page every time new data is submitted. Another pay-off is video clips that don't require a separate browser window.” But others disagreed.

I found it interesting all the different arguments. The strongest one I found was against the idea, saying
"If the Web becomes dependent on closed standards, be they Flash or RealAudio or Windows Media Player, then it becomes difficult for new browsers to be created, it becomes difficult to place the Web in embedded appliances, it becomes difficult to have any experience outside what those companies define," said Bruce Perens, a co-founder of the Open Source Initiative.
Which made sense to me. However, seeing as there are flash based pages out there, obviously somebody in a position to make such decisions thought it worth pursuing.

It goes to show that Flash, though a creative tool, is also a business, and has to be concerned with furthering its usage, to maintain its longevity. It’s a different perspective from the arguments of mainly creative standpoints; of whether it’s a good program, the best out there, and personal preferences. From a mainly business point of view, Flash is very successful. Seeing as in 2002, Flash was “Installed on more than 96 percent of PCs connected to the Internet, Macromedia's Flash player has become the de facto standard for running Web page animations, which in turn are generally created by Flash-conversant tools.”

All I all, Flash is a very useful and innovative program, and though not a recent event, I found this article interesting, a little flash into the past, if you will. It shows the growth and business behind the program. I have a feeling that Flash will always continue to grow and expand its presence on the web.

Adobe releases Flash Player 9 for Linux

This article talks about how Adobe has released Flash Player 9 for the Linux Operating System. It now gives the people who are running the Linux operating system a chance to view all of the media that Flash Player 9 runs.
This may not be of too much importance to people who run Windows or Mac OSX, but for those who run Linux are definitely feeling the benefits of this release. Now that the web has turned into one big YouTube and Myspace frenzy, Linux users now have the ability to view all the great homemade movies the web has to offer.
I think this a good thing for those people who use Linux but to me I could really care less, since I don't run Linux. I'm not sure why they didn't do this earlier instead of leaving Linux users to not have such capabilities. Also, since they can now create things that are compatible with Flash Player 9, I'm sure if there are animators or designers out there that use the Linux OS, they are pretty happy now.

An Epic Battle: Flash vs. HTML

If web designers had a crystal ball one thing they would surely look for is the future of HTML based websites. With Flash growing in popularity and the number of sites built completely in Flash, designers are asking themselves: What is the future of HTML? There are so many differences and similarities between HTML and Flash sites that it can be hard to predict which; if either, will come out on top. And that is what it all comes down to: what makes each way different? In Laymen’s terms: which one is ‘friggin’ easier?
In today’s design society there are two groups of web designers: the oldies who love the long lings of HTML code and then the new, younger crowd who see a future with Flash. Flash is able to do so many new things that HTML will just never be able to do some of the things Flash can. For example, Flash has much more freedom then HTML does and it is a lot easier to use. In Flash if you want to place a picture in a certain place, you just throw it on the canvas. With HTML you need to worry about absolute/relative placements, slicing graphics, screen resolutions, z-indexes and so much more. Designers are giving one of the main things they have wanted since the beginning of net: the ability to design with limited limitations such as different programming languages. And with Flash, a page will always and correctly render, no matter browser.
Flash also offers a lot more interactivity then HTML which is gong to keep the attention on users longer then a plain, scroll down HTML site. Importing sound and video is also easy not only for actual designers but for people just trying things out. It’s simple, but it is one thing HTML does not offer. And if you don’t want it, don’t add it. Flash gives you that simple option, as well as many more. Flash makes it easier for handling fonts and changing them easily. It also helps that with Flash sites, it does not matter whether or not the user has that font installed on their computer. It’s easier for everyone. Flash sites offer some of the same things as HTML sites do, such as replicating frames. In a Flash site, you can keep the navigation bar in one spot while everything else scrolls. But one thing Flash offers that HTML does not, is never having to reload. Browser buttons are a thing of the past in Flash and again: it’s so easy!
Of course there are those few cherished things that only HTML offer, the weaknesses of Flash. Without the Flash plug-in on your computer, every page you visit with Flash on it will pop up a little warning box informing you and telling you to go to this page to get the plug-in. Trust me: it’s annoying without that plug-in. HTML doesn’t need a plug in any way shape or form. Not to mention, video in Flash can be a problem with quality when you want to enlarge the viewing screen. In today’s world quality is important. Another downside is that 100% Flash sites do not show up on search engine sites. So if you make the best Flash site on Granny’s Chicken Soup, no one will ever find it when Goggle-ing yummy chicken soup. The world of web is streaming into so many different ways that many companies are coming up with ways for HTML and Flash to be compatible with search engines and text readers. CSS is a big example of this and people say that the day for equal harmony is coming sooner rather then later.
The world is growing and changing and I think that Flash and HTML both have a future and will one day work together in harmony. It’s like comparing it to the US and the UK. Hundreds of years ago were fighting each other, but now things have changed and we work together. I think this is how it will one day be on the internet, all we need is that one program that links it all together. Design, media and the WWW have already come so far so fast that it’s just a matter of time until it all works together. All we need is that one program that will revolutionize the world and bring sound, video, CSS, HTML and Flash altogether in one happy search-engine friendly little package. My thoughts? Adobe will be the ones to make this all possible.

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/csshtml-which-will-choose
Donna Shearer

Current Event Essay1

Scott Marchewka
News.com.com/2100-1012_3-5180486
David Becker

Macromedia released a new server product intended for expand the flash format and applying it to Web applications and interfaces. Flex which is formerly known as Royale is created to run scripts in different languages such as Java and .net to make the application to the web. What Flex will do in this case is break down the scripts into a Macromedia type of dialect called extensible markup language (XML) so that it can be ready by the flash player, flash player being one of the most common clients out there for web pages. Jeff Whatcott the vice president of the product management team at macromedia said “The use of Flex will be to create compelling and attractive interfaces for the web applications, an area that often gets overlooked by Developers.
Flash, once used to spice up ads on web pages is not moving into a whole new generation. Flex extends the Flash campaign with allowing developers to apply the many advantages of the format without having to learn all the macromedia flash development tools, which use a timeline based interface more familiar to Digital artists and graphic designers. Flex works with the leading java application servers today such as IBM, Websphere, BEA’s WebLogic and Apache Tomcat. The price tag for this though will run about $12,000 for the two sever CPU’s it requires to run on.
Macromedia in its own right wants to take advantage of this technology and is currently working on their own Flex-based development tool codenamed “brady”. Which is said to have everything from the simple notpad that comes with Windows to the very high end IBM tools. Macromedia is really looking help familiarize developers that are unaccustomed to the macromedia products with the benefits of using the Flex software to help tweak out their applications.
In my own opinion this is just another need they saw in the development tools to help with web based programs. I see why macromedia would like to create some software of their own but still allow the developers to use the tools that they already know and love. I support any software that helps make a task easier and create new cutting edge web based applications that take half the time, I just don’t see a down side. I am also really looking forward to see what steps macromedia takes in creating their own flex-based program and what additions they have made to it that take it a step further.

PointRoll

The article I chose to cover is about a company called Pointroll. Pointroll is located in Conshohocken Pa. (don't say Pa never producees anything). Yesterday Pointroll announced the release of their new Application Program Interface API for short. What an API Does is allow developers to use less time on the back end of the program and more time developing robust and georgeous interactive experiences for users. It basically simplifys the programming nessecary to achieve things like activities, Panel controls, and click tags as well as making it easier to manage and control audio, video, and streams.
This is extremly important to designers because we can spend more time developing the look of the website and getting the exact feel that the client desires. It will also help to improve efficiency and workflow. The biggest benefit from the standpoint of a development company is time saved in the development process which means bigger earnings.
Personally I think that the Pointroll API will be extremly useful in creating the next wave of Flash websites. We as a culture are very visually oriented. That helps to support the trend we have seen in the use of Flash based sites. The internet generation is on average 7 years old, and they have never known a world without the internet. Their expectations for the future of the internet are vast. The Pointroll API will allow for more vibrant and immersive web sites by allowing the designers time to be spent on design rather than programming.
In summary the Pointroll API system will be another of leading edge technologies that will allow designers of the new age to make more awe inspiring web sites. Besides it's up to us to help shape the future of the internet generation. And how they will view the world through it.

hi

hi seeing if it works hehe