AdobeFlash

=Description=

The [|Adobe Flash Player] is a multi-platform application that provides rich web content through a variety of web browsers. The player allows video and animation to be incorporated into websites and provides a consistent web experience that is not dependent on type of browser or platform.

Adobe Flash Player 9 is the current version of the player and it is available as a free plug-in for [|web browsers] on the [|Microsoft Windows], [|Mac OS] and [|Linux] platforms.¹ The player must be downloaded and installed in the user’s web browser, although through partnerships with [|Microsoft], [|Apple], and [|Red Hat], among others, the Adobe Flash Player often comes preinstalled in computers and operating system distributions. The player is available in Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, and Spanish languages for most major browsers.²

Due to its high level of compatibility, Adobe Flash Player is widely used. According to a Millward Brown proprietary study commissioned by Adobe Systems, Inc. conducted in June 2007, “Adobe® Flash® Player is the world's most pervasive software platform, reaching 99% of Internet-enabled desktops in mature markets as well as a wide range of devices." ³

The Adobe Flash Player is often called just ‘Flash’, as is the authoring tool used to create Flash files and the files themselves. The current version of the Flash authoring tool is [|Adobe Flash Professional CS3.] Flash files have the .swf extension and Flash video files, with the .flv extension, are embedded within these .swf files.⁴

=Criticisms=


 * Flash requires relatively high bandwidth to display correctly. Users with slower internet connections such as dial-up will often find it difficult to view Flash content. ⁴
 * The Adobe Flash Player has been cited for vulnerability to malevolent code. ⁵
 * Adobe Flash Player is currently only available for 32-bit platforms. 64-bit versions of the player are not available for any operating system.⁶
 * Flash heavy websites can be inaccessible to users with visual disabilities who use screen readers or other methods of screen interpretation.⁷

=History ⁴=

Flash as we know it today has its origins in a drawing application created by software developer [|Jonathan Gay] in 1993, SmartSketch. In 1995 SmartSketch was modified to include some animation and released as [|FutureSplash Animator] by [|FutureWave Software], a software company co-founded by Gay. In 1996, [|Macromedia] purchased FutureSplash Animator and released it as Flash 1. Further releases of Flash are listed chronologically below. On December 3, 2005, Adobe Systems acquired Macromedia in a merger and all further releases of Flash after that date were renamed to 'Adobe Flash'.

1997 - Macromedia Flash 2 (player and authoring tool) 1998 - Macromedia Flash 3 (player and authoring tool) 1999 - Macromedia Flash 4 (player and authoring tool) 2000 - Macromedia Flash 5 (player and authoring tool) 2002 - Macromedia Flash 6 (player) and Macromedia Flash MX (authoring tool) 2004 - Macromedia Flash 7 (player) and Macromedia Flash MX 2004 (authoring tool) 2005 - Macromedia Flash 8 (player) and Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 (authoring tools) 2006 - Adobe Flash 9 (player) for Mac/Windows 2007 - Adobe Flash 9 (player) for Linux/Sun Solaris and Adobe Flash Professional CS3 (authoring tool)

=Impact on Teaching and Learning=

The development of Flash has added a valuable tool to the educator's toolbox. As the prevalence of computer-based learning increases, there is more demand for effective ways to communicate complex ideas electronically, both in the classroom and through distance learning. Flash provides educators with the ability to create animation and video to demonstrate many of these complex ideas effectively. Since Flash is consistent and accessible through many different platforms and browsers, it is easily available to students with a variety of abilities and technology resources.

Using Flash, educators can develop interactive websites, animation and games that will enhance the learning experience for students of all ages. Educational websites can use Flash for website navigation which can improve functionality and make the website more engaging for learners. Flash can also be used for educational videos or animations to demonstrate procedures and illustrate concepts. Educational games can be developed for Flash using a variety of techniques. Students can be asked to drag and drop elements in a game to match correct answers to questions, they can enter answers in an answer field or they can click on a correct answer from a selection of options. Instant feedback can be given once an answer is selected and additional information or hints can also be incorporated as game elements to enrich the game and engage learners more fully in the learning experience.

=Practical Applications=


 * Advertising
 * Business Presentations
 * Educational Demonstrations
 * Games
 * Product Demonstrations
 * Tutorials
 * Website Navigation

=Education Examples=







=Non-Education Examples=







=References=

 (1) [|TechNote - A comprehensive list of supported Adobe Flash features, specific to each browser]. Adobe Systems. (07-11-2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (2) [|Adobe Flash System Requirements]. Adobe Systems. (2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (3) [|Flash Player Penetration]. Adobe Stystems. (2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (4) [|Adobe Flash]. Wikipedia. (09-26-2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (5) [|Technical Cyber Security Alert TA07-192A]. United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). (07-11-2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (6) [|TechNote - Flash Player support on 64-bit operating systems]. Adobe Systems. (11-14-2006). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.  (7) [|Adobe Flash CS3 — Section 508 Voluntary Product Accessibility]. Adobe Systems. (2007). Retrieved on 09-26-2007.

=External Links=

Adobe Flash Player 9 System Requirements http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/productinfo/systemreqs/

Adobe Flash Player 9 Download http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

Free Flash Tutorials http://www.actionscript.org/resources/categories/Tutorials/Flash/

eBizMBA's Top 10 Flash Website Designs 2007 http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/best-flash-sites.html

Best Practices for Accessible Flash Design http://www.adobe.com/resources/accessibility/best_practices/bp_fp.html

Adobe Flash Player Vulnerabilities http://secunia.com/advisories/26027/

=Author=

Malia M. Mallchok, ETEC Master's Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa