New API for Flash - FREE!

[mikmik]

I came across this article in PCmag (curiously dated for next week - March 16) that tells of a very nice looking addition to the Flash arsenal lol.


Why can't software be as easy to buy, download, and use as music? Making that a reality is the goal of Macromedia Central, which strives to be a better way to distribute and run software. The first release of the service, designed to gain traction among developers, tantalizes with a promising look and feel and several strong demo applications.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1545331,00.asp


the accompanying Central SDK is available as a free download. This module works as an add-on to Macromedia's Flash development tools, such as Flash Studio MX 2004, which we used in our testing. Central adds over a dozen user interface components to the standard Flash platform, plus well over 100 new APIs to manage the Central console, pods, and Web services

[Nargule]

Thanks MikMik.

I would like to comment on the "flash is dead" option in the poll. I think Flash itself is far from dead. Furthermore, even though I think Flash, as it is being used, is amaturish on most sites - like animated gif's, it will problably never go away.

Having said that, I think that Flash makes a great client side tool that can save a lot of time and bandwidth when used a certain way.

I am currently working on a control panel for my server which utilizes Flash as the client side app. This eliminates a lot of the page refreshing and need for the server to serve up a new page every time a change is made. Not only does this make the control panel less clumbsy, but reduces network traffic.

The point of my ramblings is whenever some hears the word Flash, they seem to picture a website full of moving crap, sound, and an interface which requires on screen instructions on how to use it (i.e. "hover mouse over cubes to see options").

Flash doesn't have to be that way. It can make a very useful interface when used a certain way. This is especially true with back end interfaces such as control panels and statistical viewing where SEO is a non-issue.

This Macromedia Central thing appears to be an easy way for developers to publish applications they create in Flash. I for one am going to give it a try.

[mikmik]

Thanks right back at you, Nargule.

I am begining to see Flash as an extremely capable and versatile tool, not just a simple movie or animation program.
This development looks to me to be moving into java territory with virtually unlimited potential. I am very new to this, I have only rudimentary skills, but now this looks to compete with and/or compliment web services, database management,and offer streaming media cpabilities above RealPlayer, Quicktime and WMP.
I like the idea of individual 'pods' for specific development areas.


By simplifying the distribution of multimedia-rich pods, Macromedia may have a winner for applications that aggregate all kinds of content—the goal of corporate portals for some time now. Central's interface looks impressive, and it offers developers and enterprises a promising way to distribute Flash software that runs outside a browser.

Thanks right back at you, Nargule.

I am begining to see Flash as an extremely capable and versatile tool, not just a simple movie or animation program.
This development looks to me to be moving into java territory with virtually unlimited potential. I am very new to this, I have only rudimentary skills, but now this looks to compete with and/or compliment web services, database management,and offer streaming media cpabilities above RealPlayer, Quicktime and WMP.
I like the idea of individual 'pods' for specific development areas.



Mik MIk man you rock dude awesome topic !

(but still you gotta stay away from my sister, man ;-0)

Thanks MikMik.

I think that Flash makes a great client side tool that can save a lot of time and bandwidth when used a certain way.

The point of my ramblings is whenever some hears the word Flash, they seem to picture a website full of moving crap, sound, and an interface which requires on screen instructions on how to use it (i.e. "hover mouse over cubes to see options").



or you can have moving crap AND cool powerful stuff tucked under the hood lol

http://webpageturner.com/webfoogle1

speaking of API's this [entirely flash app] requires a Google API encryption key to access the vast google database.....

i had posted this a few weeks ago & a lot of people have been asking me about it...hence my posting it here again...

you can use it just like you would Google (for the most part)

also the screen "knows'" when you're not there and comes back down & commences animation