No Flash in the pan.* Flash 5, software, 2000, Macromedia (800-326-2128, www.macromedia.com), $399; Flash 5 Freehand See Macromedia FreeHand. Studio, $599; Flash 5 Generator 2 Developer Edition, $648. Other material: user guide. Macromedia's Flash 5 is a major overhaul of an authoring tool that has become a worldwide standard for web-delivered animated and interactive content. Confirmation of this position can be seen in the fact that Flash Player is "the most ubiquitous player on the web today" and is built into the latest versions of Netscape Navigator An earlier Web browser for Windows, Macintosh and X Windows from Netscape that provided secure transmission over the Internet. Soon after its introduction in 1994, Navigator, or just "Netscape," as it was commonly called, quickly became the leading browser on the Web. and Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. . The latest version of Flash offers significant improvements in the program's capabilities and user interface. The real power of Flash is its ability to incorporate interactivity into its movies. To assist in the creation of training and educational content, Macromedia has added a suite of learning extensions. They allow easy creation of interactions such as multiple choice and drag and drop A graphical user interface (GUI) capability that lets you perform operations by moving the icon of an object with the mouse into another window or onto another icon. For example, files can be copied or moved by dragging them from one folder to another. , page navigation, and quizzes. Macromedia has also made it easier for trainers and educators with no programming experience to create interactivity. By utilizing the Object Actions panel, you can choose from a complete and extensive list of possible actions that can be applied to objects. Any action you select, or any series of actions, is automatically translated into ActionScript, a language similar to JavaScript that was introduced in earlier versions of Flash. The scripting language A high-level programming, or command, language that is interpreted (translated on the fly) rather than compiled ahead of time. A scripting, or script, language may be a general-purpose programming language or it may be limited to specific functions used to augment the running of an allows users who aren't programmers to change object properties and apply conditional logic to actions. One of the biggest complaints from users of Flash 4 was that many of the controls were only accessible in dialog boxes that appeared only after objects were selected and even then only in certain modes. Macromedia has addressed this shortcoming short·com·ing n. A deficiency; a flaw. shortcoming Noun a fault or weakness Noun 1. with the introduction of several new streamlined floating panels. All of these panels, plus the library, actions pallet, and movie explorer, are available at all times through a single click of the new launcher bar at the bottom of the main work window. Another of the major changes in the new version is the addition of vector graphics The representation of a digital image as points, lines and other geometric entities. All computer-aided design (CAD), drawing and diagramming programs create vector graphics formats, such as AI, DXF and WMF (see graphics formats). capabilities, a toned-down version of those available in Adobe Illustrator A full-featured drawing program for Windows and Macintosh from Adobe. It provides sophisticated tracing and text manipulation capabilities as well as color separations. Included is Adobe Type Manager and a selection of Type 1 fonts. or Macromedia's own Freehand. While few graphics professionals will want to toss out Illustrator or Freehand to work in Flash, it does give users considerably more options and tools for creating artwork and text. In addition, Flash 5 makes the importing and manipulation of vector-based graphics created in the other programs much easier. The caveat? You're not going to master these capabilities absent a serious commitment of time and the assistance of a capable instructor or a well-designed training course. Recommendation With Flash 5 Macromedia has managed to deliver both expanded functionality and increased ease of use. Furthermore, they've managed to increase the value of the product both to power-user professional designers and to "semipros" like education and training specialists who must master and use a wide variety of methodologies and techniques. Of course, Flash 5 doesn't provide instant gratification and still requires a serious commitment to master, but no coding, programming, or design experience is necessary. Michael Feldman
Michael Feldman (born 1949) is the host of Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?, a radio program distributed by Public Radio International. His announcer, Jim Packard, refers to him as "The Sage of Wisconsin. (mfeldman@bu.edu) is a senior lecturer senior lecturer n. Chiefly British A university teacher, especially one ranking next below a reader. at Boston University's Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP CELOP Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (Boston University) ). He is also a member of the CELOP Technology Group, dedicated to teacher training, and consults with outside clients. Flash 5 Pro: Powerful content creator Industry standard Improved user interface Improved ease of use Con: Learning curve
Flash 5 product rating
Ease of installation ****
Presentation ****
Production quality ****
Ease of use ***
Value of purpose ****
Value for the money ****
Documentation NR
Overall rating ****
Outstanding - **** Very good - ***1/2 Good - *** Above average **1/2 Average - ** Below Average - *1/2 Poor - * NA - Not applicable NA - Not rated (usually not enough information) |
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