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March 13, 2007
"New software supports old"
"New software supports old": When a new version of Adobe Flash Player is near release, there's an extended open beta for developers, to make very sure the new engine supports existing work as least as well as prior versions did. It's vital to do so, because any problems with backwards-compatibility endanger adoption of the entire platform. There's an example in the news today -- another US government agency has discouraged migration to Windows Vista: "Among other things, Bowen said he is concerned that Windows Vista may be incompatible with many software applications already in use at the FAA." The current aviation software would require reworking to run atop the new OS, so the overall adoption rate is slowed. This dynamic in worldly adoption also shows why it would be difficult for Adobe to remove or restrict functionality existing in prior versions -- to persuade people to install newer Adobe Flash Player on their machines, we'd have to free them to greater levels of ability, not less.
Posted by JohnDowdell at March 13, 2007 02:28 PM
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