Flash MX 2004 Released - TRIAL DOWNLOAD NOW AVAILABLE

For those of you that never leave the CL. I just posted an announcement; Flash MX 2004 and the rest of the studio family (excluding Freehand) was announced about 45 minutes ago. Should be shipping in a few weeks.

Dreamweaver MX 2004 review: http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/naramore20030825.php3

Fireworks MX 2004 review: http://www.flashkit.com/tutorials/Re...-955/index.php

Should have more soon. Pope is supposed to be reviewing MX, but I'm a little worried... haven't heard from him and I know he's been having back problems lately.

:eek:

looks pretty interesting IMO
video capabilities enhanced (with the new player)
"professional" and normal versions, interesting way to go.
actionscript 2, yet to discover what that actually means (are we going to have to declare variables/types and stuff like that?)
aliased text function. cool.

WTF?!?!?!
http://www.macromedia.com/software/f...nalScripts.gif

wheres gsolo, how come Im posting before him on this thread?

thats JavaScript 2 syntax.

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Originally posted by roger_onslow
thats JavaScript 2 syntax.

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I dont like the look of all those "$". So id it a wood idea to go and learn about javascript 2 (as I havent found any as2 tutes/API)?

:zzz: :D

anyone been to the macromedia site... looks nifty

what's the difference between the normal and the pro version??

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Originally posted by nayades
what's the difference between the normal and the pro version??

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http://macromedia.com/software/flash...es/comparison/

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I dont like the look of all those "$". So id it a wood idea to go and learn about javascript 2 (as I havent found any as2 tutes/API)?

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You'd better learn Java instead of JS (i don't know how JS2 looks). It looks VERY similar as Java.
I now hope that the speed of AS2 is faster too.
I think it's GREAT wat i see. This means that AS is no longer a scripting language, but it finally reached the status of a programming language.

The '$' is used for indicating a variable.
Some people used it in AS1 already, although it wasn't needed.

More info on AS2 can be found here:
http://www.flashmagazine.com/html/842.htm

Best regards,
PJ

I just checked some JS2 code. Indeed, it's about the same.
Looks promising to me!

They're based on the same upcoming standard. AS2 will be more strict in how you code with it &c.

basically, the classes in AS2/JS2 encapsulate the things you use to do with __proto__ etc. It doesn't add anything to the copiled code. Its more of a convenience for those who would previouslt had written constructors and prototypes.

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...Its more of a convenience for those who would who would previouslt had written constructors and prototypes..

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I did that a lot.
I have coded Java as well as AS, and liked the way you work in Java more... so u guess i'm gonna like it :D

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It doesn't add anything to the copiled code

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So basically, the speed of the compiled SWF will not be faster with the new syntax?

PJ

I need this badly... how soon is christmas?

So, Macromedia is numbering their releases with dates now? Between this and their rediculous product activation scheme, it seems like they're just a hop, skip and jump from being acquired by Microsoft. ;)

Where are the features for Animators? Timeline effects? Somehow I feel that these things will bloat the file size and slow down playback even more than a poorly-executed shape tween. And I don't have a lot of faith in the new import features - Flash has been notoriously finicky in importing Illustrator images before, and what's the real value in importing PDF? Aren't sections of text, etc. broken up to make a PDF file in the first place?

Will anyone actually buy the new Studio? There's barely any upgrades to Dreamweaver and Fireworks, the same old version of Freehand - and it costs more to upgrade now than it did last year for a nominally-improved bug fixed version of Flash? So I'm paying extra so that they can install spyware tracking software on my computer? According to the FAQ the program will run faster - it damn well better if I'm going to need to be running a seperate product activation service for each of the programs in the Studio suite in the background. And double or nothing that Dreamweaver still has the same bugs (ie. - system lockup when FTPing multiple fles) that it has since version 3.

I'm far from convinced. There appear to be some minor upgrades (mostly geared toward application development) - couldn't they at least throw in a copy of Contribute or Central (or one of the myriad of other products that all apparently do the same or similar things with token goofy name)?

I'm not sure if I'm too nuts about all this wizard and component management stuff.

I never really felt comfortable building components I didn't build myself.

I just finished a universal content navigation system for e-Learning built in MX, and we're about to start pumping out content that talks to this nav system.

As if I had any time to read up on this in the first place...:mad:

AS2 wil make no difference to the speed.

The new flash player will execute script faster regardless (whether AS1 or AS2) and the script compiler in the new Flash may well be faster (again, whether AS2 or AS2).

Its mostly notational convenience of having something that looks more like classes instead of prototypes. But it isn't Java syntax nor Java semantics ... its Javascript 2 / ECMA 4. So if you're used to Java, you may find some differences that you'll have to unlearn (just like the differences in scoping in Javascript vs Java)

From what I understand, the classes in AS2 won't give you any additional functionality over prototypes .. but will make them easier to read/write.

Hopefully AS2 will neatly hide the various contortions and bugs/inconsistencies in the prototyping in Flash 5 and Flash 6.

i wholeheartedly agree with CNO and PAlexC that macromedia seems to be pumping out applications and updates for .0003 percent of the developer community and then markets it like we'll all be dinosaurs if we're not first adopters.

i mean, come on:

One-of-a-kind.
Each MX 2004 t-shirt will be given your unique order number. The sooner you order, the lower the number.

how retarded is this? if this product is for superior developers (oh wait, professionals) this hardly seems a way to reward early deployment.

i think this and all of macromedia's strategy continues to remind me why i want to get more into business development and get out from behind my monitor.

erova, you going to WAMMO on the third?

it seems macromedia is focusing more on developers (coders, programmers, backend guys) than designers with this new release.

Now hope they just stay with only 2 versions of flash, lite and full, cause if they start developing more "Flashes", it'd be the end (imagine: Flash Pro: Flash Lite, Flash Developers Edition, Flash for Designers, Flash FULL, Flash whoknowswhat).

From my point of view, they're killing director with the new features, and true, there's no reason to buy studio mx. Dreamweaver and Fireworks are kinda a plus, but you can reaqch the same effects of Fireworks with other software (even freeware) and lets not say anything bout dreamweaver, which is only a html editor.

Anyway, will amf still be available? products like amfphp or openamf will still work?

I just hope they release the File specification of the new swf file (i guess they'll have a new one) for developers wanting to make swf's with other programs. I just hope they don't stop swf file to be open (opensource).

Man, this new flash version is scary, but i'm really going for the FlashPro. I want it.

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Originally posted by gSOLO_01
erova, you going to WAMMO on the third?

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yeah, i'll be interested in checking this out firsthand...i assume you'll make the trip down 95?

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Originally posted by erova
yeah, i'll be interested in checking this out firsthand...i assume you'll make the trip down 95?

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Yup... I'm trying to finish up a project that may be featured; running out of time though...

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Originally posted by e-phonic
You'd better learn Java instead of JS (i don't know how JS2 looks). It looks VERY similar as Java.
I now hope that the speed of AS2 is faster too.
I think it's GREAT wat i see. This means that AS is no longer a scripting language, but it finally reached the status of a programming language.

The '$' is used for indicating a variable.
Some people used it in AS1 already, although it wasn't needed.

More info on AS2 can be found here:
http://www.flashmagazine.com/html/842.htm

Best regards,
PJ

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Hehe yeah I know Java allready, and I allso think that it looks very similar, and as oo. Its just the $ stuff I dont like, it reminds me of php, another language that I yet havent learned. Thanks for the link

And pardon me for being less than contrite, but why are we posting Macromedia press releases when, despite ending just a day or so before this announcement went live, Macromedia didn't mention one thing about the new version of Flash at the Flashkit conference?

Do you smell that? I think Macromedia just shat on the community again.

What's seriously contradictory here is that with MX, Macromedia was promising the ability to build Rich Internet APPLICATIONS. Applications you build, deploy, and leave alone. They can't keep pumping out new versions, expecting people to update legacy Rich Internet APPLICATIONS for each version, or completely re-build using their little components and wizards.

Frankly, the idea of a major syntax change in AS pisses me off. I have enough to do at work without them making huge changes to the tool we develop our products with. I can't let our product development procedures lag too far behind in versions, and now I have to get my content developers up on it as well.

How much longer will AS1 be supported? Through the next release? Forever? What about tutorials done in AS2? It's gonna take me twice as long to get through them until I catch up. What about content that's 2 years old?! Or a nav sytem we use for ALL our deployments? Supporting old content in a new nav system?

Thanks Macromedia, your new "easy to use" tools are really making my life easier.

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Originally posted by argonauta
.... and lets not say anything bout dreamweaver, which is only a html editor.....

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yes, but the best one in the world, compadre!
hey amigo, I allso edit .cfm, .asc, .cfc, .asp and .jsp in that thing

no kidding alex.

i wholly support the idea of learning new things and introducing new ideas to my clients from which i can earn a profit, but it does piss me off when i buy an O'Reilly book published in July 2003 (Lott's ActionScript Cookbook) and now I find out AS 2.0 is coming out.

i can't be a damn lemming and say "oooohhh new Flash, i love it, have to have it, i can make a billion dollars using it", because frankly my clients DON'T need all the stuff macromedia, apparently, tries to slam down our throats (and my client list isn't a bunch of mom & pop shops selling jelly on-line, either).

It's worse when you have a Flash-built product you re-sell and have to support, and build add-on modules for, but I totally feel your pain. This is a huge question for e-Learning companies as to "what does this mean for our products." Especially since our clients are slow to update plug-ins in their environment. (Some are just getting onto 6 now.) At the same time...I can't wait a year to migrate our stuff to a 7 standard, then have MM change the rules on me again.

Will we be able to publish AS2 to a 6 plug-in? I dunno how AS is compiled into an SWF.

And yes, they ARE becoming very MS with this '2004' crap...and I hate the packaging as well.

yeah, exactly. i build e-learning for the department of defense, and you know those dudes aren't the fastest to update plug-ins, and have ridiculously stringent policies about users being able to update plug-ins on their own (which i'm sure is for the best hehehe)

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Originally posted by PAlexC
It's Will we be able to publish AS2 to a 6 plug-in?

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Yes...

If you don't need the new features; don't upgrade. there are some features that are pretty cool, right click and stuff, but just weigh that against the trouble it is to upgrade the application and the client plugin (adoption). What rules are changing? Stick with AS1, no need to redo all of your stuff. Did you make sure that your legacy applications work in the new player though? Even if AS1 is deprecated, it would likely last a few versions....

And remember, there will be another version in 18 months.

Oh, so you must be EQUALLY as pissed about the fact you still have to go through getURL or FSCommand to talk to a SCORM API.

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Originally posted by PAlexC
Oh, so you must be EQUALLY as pissed about the fact you still have to go through getURL or FSCommand to talk to a SCORM API.

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Me? I don't understand the relationship between that and what I posted; unless version 7 addresses those needs; in which case you would need [want] to upgrade.

I meant erova ;) . Your post came between ours.

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Originally posted by gSOLO_01
If you don't need the new features; don't upgrade.

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right, but it's not all the time that we make the decisions about what software to use, either.

or in some cases we'll need the enhanced functionality of one new update but then need to learn AS 2 to use it...like i said, i'm not one to fear evolving, but such radical changes that are sharp departures are tough to easily embrace...

I see what you mean; but in this case you can stick with the mx or 5 style of coding. nothing too radical.

fair enough. i'm not making my verdict yet till i see it anyway.

what i do find kind of interesting is how this thread, introducing a new version of Flash, isn't exactly tearing up Flashkit, when if i remember correctly the thread about 2advanced's new site had about 6 billion posts within ten minutes...

http://www.markme.com/jd/archives/003145.cfm

Hmm. They had a special event for Bloggers last night and couldn't say anything at the Flashkit conference?

Can you smell the astroturf?

ah shít. every time a new flash comes out I feel pushed more and more futher away from what i'm trying to accomplish with flash. why is macromedia concentrating on devolpers and programmers now instead of designers and animators!

whats with all this as2 and java liek code. its just another thing on the long list that we have to learn! i'm still trying to get my head around simple asp! jesus!

How come nobody told me another version of flash was comeing out?