August 30, 2008

A month of iPhone

I've had my iPhone for about a month now, so I thought I'd chime in with the rest of the iPhone reviews flooding cyberspace.

I've been reading about the various problems people have been having and I've got to say that I haven't experienced these problems yet. I have been updating the software when the updates become available, so perhaps that's been keeping me clear of the issues.

I live in an area that gets excellent 3G coverage. This past weekend I was in Philadelphia and the 3G coverage was also good with just a couple of exceptions. One thing I did have trouble with was the Maps application in a moving vehicle. I found that if I had my position identified when the vehicle was stopped, I could then track my progress for quite some time. If I stopped Maps and attempted to do this while moving, then Maps had trouble.

I previously had a Windows Mobile "smart" phone. The iPhone is so much better than that. The two just do not compare (so I will). The iPhone starts faster, is more responsive, has better call quality, and is so much easier to use. The Windows "smart" phone was like using an old ASCII terminal (yes, I am that old). Poorly designed with poor software, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The thing didn't even know about daylight savings time until I downloaded a hard-to-find patch for it!

But the iPhone isn't perfect yet. It definitely needs stereo bluetooth, better battery life, and a memory expansion slot. I like the keyboard, actually, and am pretty good at typing on it. That "smart" phone had a terrible keyboard. And who thought overlaying numbers on the keyboard was a good idea? At least the iPhone can draw whatever keyboard it needs at the appropriate time.

I also dislike the earbuds it comes with. I guess I have little ears because on the plane trip they made my ears sore and kept falling out. But I did feel sorry for the woman seated next to me who kept juggling all of her equipment - I just had my iPhone for entertainment (watched a movie - perfect for an airplane) as well calling home when I arrived. I've now ordered some new earphones that come with an assortment of tips.

I love the fact that it is expandable and there are so many apps for it. I have this terrific tip calculator that is positively ingenious. I also have the Pandora app. Plus you can get apps to stream radio and podcasts.

Oh, and the very first app I downloaded was "Remote" - turning the iPhone into a remote control for iTunes. I have my Macs upstairs, but downstairs in the living room I have an Apple Airport Express plugged into the stereo. Now with the Remote application I can control iTunes from the sofa without having to run up the stairs. This app is awesome - it is so 'real time' that adjusting the volume on the phone instantly adjusts the play volume. Whoever wrote this deserves a huge bonus.

The bottom line is that I love this phone. It does everything I want and if I want something more, someone has, or will, write an app to do that, too. The iPhone 3G was definitely worth the wait, for me.

Now if Apple will just merge Apple TV with the Mac Mini...

Posted by pent at 08:47 AM | Comments (5)

July 02, 2008

Adobe Reader 9 is Here!

Adobe Reader 9 adds new capabilities, better performance and stronger security. Here are the highlights:

Improved launch speeds
Looking for faster launch speeds? Adobe has enhanced general performance and, in particular, has reduced launch times with Adobe Reader 9. Try it: You'll notice the difference.

PDF Portfolios
Packages, introduced in Adobe Reader 8, have been greatly enhanced and renamed. Portfolios provide easy navigation when you work with multiple PDF documents and other document types. They also enable you to work with a collection of materials such as drawings, e-mail messages, spreadsheets, and videos as a single file, which makes distribution, storage, retrieval, and collaboration easy for end users.

Native Adobe Flash support
Adobe Reader 9 can natively display rich media content, which you'll notice immediately with Portfolios. Interested in viewing SWF and FLV files? Adobe Reader 9 is the answer.

Acrobat.com (beta)
In addition, Adobe Reader 9 includes easy access to Acrobat.com (beta), an exciting new set of online services from Adobe. With Acrobat.com, you can create PDF files online; create and coauthor documents with others; host live web meetings; upload and share PDF files and other types of documents and control who has access to them; and even embed a rich, interactive preview of your document in a web page. All of these services and more are provided online, so you can access them from anywhere. And you'll find easy access points from within Reader 9. As an added convenience, Acrobat.com leverages Adobe AIR, so you can interact with Acrobat.com from your desktop. Acrobat.com on Adobe AIR is a small application that is included with your download of Adobe Reader 9. Available in select languages.

Security enhancements
Adobe Reader 9 provides new digital signature functionality for an improved user experience. The new version also adds support for 256-bit AES encryption and new advanced security capabilities.

But, that's not all. Adobe Reader 9 offers a new PDF Standards Pane, improved CAD and geospatial functionality and accessibility enhancements.

So, download Adobe Reader 9 now! Or, distribute Adobe Reader 9 in your enterprise or bundle it with a CD or computer!

Posted by pent at 09:51 AM

May 07, 2008

Return to Normal

Our blogging server is back and my blog, along with a bushel of others, have been restored.

Now I can work on my back-log of articles.

Posted by pent at 03:02 PM

January 09, 2008

Comcast Uses Flash Video

Comcast has a new beta site, FANCAST, where you can watch streaming episodes of many of your favorite shows. You can watch something as recent as a latest 30 Rock or something as old as the first Lost in Space from the 1960's (in black-and-white no less). Oh, an it's FREE! At least for now.

I suppose Comcast could have choosen to use any number of web technologies to do this, but to me, chosing Flash Video was the right choice. OK, I am a bit biased, but come on, this is really cool technology. Look at all the different ways video is being presented on the web when used with Flash Video.

I've watched a couple of episodes on both fast and slow connections including WiFi. Never a hiccup. That may change as more people find out about FANCAST, but that only means Comcast needs to upgrade its equipment, not the software.

For more information about Flash Video, check out the new Flash Media Server.

Posted by pent at 10:53 AM | Comments (5)

December 06, 2007

New Versions of Flash Media Server and Flash Player

Adobe in the News

On Monday, December 3, 2007, Adobe announced new versions of the Flash Media Server and the Flash Player. Here are some highlights:

- Flash Media Server 3:  includes two offerings; Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 3 for live and video on-demand streaming and Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 3 for customized scalable video streaming services plus multi-way social media applications

-  Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 3, previously code named Moviestar now includes H.264 standard video support ­ the same standard deployed in Blu-Ray and HD-DVD high definition video players ­and High Efficiency AAC (HE-AAC) audio support

Adobe Flash Player 9, combined with Adobe Flash Media Server 3 enables the delivery of HDTV quality video to the broadest online audience and paves the way for high definition Adobe Flash experiences on consumer devices.

If you read carefully you'll see we are offering two versions of Flash Media Server. Why? Well FMS was often compared to Windows Media Server and some people complained that the price point for FMS was too high. What they failed to realize is that FMS was more than just a video streaming server. Unlike WMS, you can program FMS using ActionScript and do a number of behind-the-scenes tasks (such as authorization) that are not possible with WMS.

Adobe has a nicely priced version of FMS that does nothing but streaming. Iif you've ever thought about creating your own video blog or your own movie studio, you now how have a way to deliver high-quality video to virtually every desktop in a fast, and reliable manner.

Future of Entertainment

Normally I just post these announcements, but I feel compelled to add more in this case. You see, I am a television/video junkie. There's not much I won't watch. Have you ever watched one your favorite programs streamed over the web? Chances are you were watching the show in the Flash Player with the video streamed with Flash Media Server. Some sites still use WMS and you can tell which ones they are. Now with Flash Player 9 Update 3, FMS can deliver HDTV quality video right to your desktop.

Having the major networks make popular shows available for streaming is a huge step toward what I believe to be, the future of in-home entertainment. Today you can use your television as a computer monitor and to watch a home improvement show you go to HGTV.com or if you want to watch a recent episode of The Office you just go to NBC.com. It is just a little clunky to get directly to the shows you want to watch.

What I don't get is why advertisers aren't driving this more aggressively. As you probably know, the use of TiVO (I have 3 myself) has started to raise some alarms with advertisers. People just skip over the commercials. Who wouldn't? You want to watch the program, not someone patting themselves on the back for making a vacuum cleaner.

If you have watched a streamed video from the major networks you have noticed that it, too, has commercials. But you cannot skip over them. You are held captive and must either leave the room, close the laptop, or do whatever it is you did before you got a TiVO, to avoid them. This is what I mean - the advertisers are worried about viewership going downhill with the rise of TiVO use, yet right before their eyes is the emerging technology of video streaming over the internet. And they have total control. You can fast-forward and rewind and pause the program's video stream ala TiVO, but come commercial time you are stuck. Some sites post a "Video will resume in # seconds" countdown clock (which I tend to watch more than the commercial) followed by 'Click here to continue' button (I wish the video would just start back up).

The really cool thing for advertisers about watching television programs streamed over the internet is that they have many choices in their advertisements. There is the standard commercial inserted into the video stream. There is also all the space around the video player for ads. But what's most important, is the ability to have targeted advertising. Imagine that your location is readily available to the web page hosting the video. The advertising software can display ads for services and products local to you.

We are just at the beginning of this revolution in entertainment. Once the advertisers get a whiff of this, the money will start flowing to the web sites and the focus will be redirected. I hope this leads to a lot of improvements, but these things often get off to a rocky start. I just hope we all have the sense and patience to make this a rich and responsible way to get our entertainment in the 21st century.  If I were TiVO, I'd start planning to be a leader and not let my market dry up.


Posted by pent at 09:42 AM | Comments (4)

October 19, 2007

Flex Cookbook Authors Wanted

Do you have a good tip or receipe for a Flex solution? Do you want to see your name in print? Then check out this call for topics in the Flex Cookbook:

http://weblogs.macromedia.com/flexteam/archives/2007/10/call_for_topics.cfm


Posted by pent at 01:01 PM

October 01, 2007

New Beta Versions Available

Available today, the next Beta versions for Flex 3 and AIR - check out Adobe Labs today.

Now available:
Flex 3 Beta 2
AIR Beta 2
Adobe Media Player (prerelease)
AIR Extension for Dreamweaver
AIR update for Flash CS3

Posted by pent at 02:00 PM

September 28, 2007

MAX 2007 Update

For everyone who's asked - I am *not* going to be at MAX this year. It would be great to meet you all in person and I hope to get the opportunity next year.

While at MAX take the opportunity to meet your colleagues - MAX is a great place to network and you never know, that person you eat lunch with might have the next great idea that you can help make a reality!

Also stop by the Support desk and meet members of the Adobe Support teams. They are available to answer your questions and experts in all our products will be there throughout the show.

Have a safe and most excellent MAX!

Posted by pent at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)

September 20, 2007

MAX 2007

While the 2008 Summer Olympics are still 323 days away, MAX 2007 is only 7! You still have the opportunity to register online. We're expecting MAX to be bigger than ever and it's a great opportunity for you to meet other Adobe customers that share your areas of interest and expertise. MAX is also an excellent place to learn about other products and solutions. Best of all, you can meet us! Adobe employees from all products and areas will be around to meet you and answer any questions you have. Be sure to stop by the Support Desk, too, and say "Hello".

Go to the MAX site and register today:
http://www.adobemax2007.com/na/

Posted by pent at 09:57 AM

August 21, 2007

Adobe Extends Web Leadership with H.264 Support

Check out our latest press release on Adobe.com:
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200708/082107FlashPlayer.html
and find out how we're incorporating HDTV support into the Flash Player.

There are also other improvements too, such as caching of Flex framework SWC, improved rendering on multi-core processors, and much more.

Posted by pent at 09:17 AM

August 15, 2007

Flex Developer Center

On August 8 (I know, I'm late with this), the Adobe Flex Developer Center has new content:

Check it out!

Posted by pent at 09:15 AM

July 31, 2007

ColdFusion 8 Now Available

We're pleased to announce ColdFusion 8! Since May 2007, more than 14,000 developers have actively participated in the ColdFusion 8 public beta.

Thanks to everyone who participated to make this release the best it can be. You can read more about ColdFusion 8 from the Adobe Press Room.

Experience ColdFusion 8 for yourself on the Adobe ColdFusion Product Page.

For Flex developers, ColdFusion 8 is compatible with Flex 2.0.1 Hotfix 3

Posted by pent at 10:28 AM | Comments (1)

July 24, 2007

Adobe Announces FrameMaker 8

Adobe has released FrameMaker 8!

FrameMaker 8 Home Page

I could put here all of the marketing info and excerpts from the site, but instead, I'll tell you about my experience with FrameMaker.

Back in the late 1980s I was working for a start-up company that developed molecular modeling tools and scientific publication software. To document what we were doing we used FrameMaker. At the time, FrameMaker came from a company called Frame Technologies which Adobe later acquired. When I left that company I was using FrameMaker 2.1.

I remember this clearly because I thought then, and certainly do now, that FrameMaker was the best document-making software I had ever used. I love FrameMaker. It is so easy to use and so powerful that I never understood why any company would use Word. Word is hard to use, its user interface often doesn't make sense. For example, how many times have you formatted something, then gone back to change it and it mysteriously reverts to a previous format?

Worse, what about all those documents created by folks who don't use Word formats and just insert blank lines for new paragraphs and you have to go and clean it up? Or who invent their own formats and nothing in your company winds up following the same standards?

Do yourself a favor and try FrameMaker. Yes, I know I work for Adobe and "what did you expect him to say" crosses your mind. But trust me on this one, even if I didn't work for Adobe, I would tell you how great FrameMaker is. Ask anyone I've worked with since 1990 and they'll tell you I've mentioned at least once, usually when I had to use Word.

Posted by pent at 08:09 AM | Comments (2)

March 19, 2007

Apollo Public Alpha

Apollo is the ancient Greek mythological god of the sun, representing high and mighty goals. Check out Adobe Apollo on Adobe Labs.

Apollo is our cross-operating system runtime merging Flash, HTML, JavaScript, PDF, and Flex into one awesome package. If you've ever wanted to include HTML right in your Flex application, then check out Apollo and join the Alpha program; help us shape Apollo into the product you need it be.

Many people have said our Flex Alpha and Beta programs were the best they have experienced in the industry. We intend to keep that going with Apollo; only you can help us push the envelope on Apollo.

Posted by pent at 10:20 AM

December 21, 2006

On Holiday for Last Week of Year

I will be on holiday during the last week of the year (25-Dec-2006 through 29-Dec-2006). I'll be back in the office 2-Jan-2007.

Have safe holidays and I look forward to new adventures next year.

Posted by pent at 10:44 AM

August 08, 2006

Breeze Meeting Sync SWF SDK Contest

This just in...

Announcing the Sync SWF SDK contest for our developer community!  With the Breeze Meeting Sync SWF SDK, Adobe has enabled developers to create custom collaborative applications, using a set of easy-to-use ActionScript APIs. As adoption of Breeze rises, more and more customers are asking for specialized content and applications that fit within the real-time collaboration framework Breeze already offers.

The SDK allows Flash developers to extend the functionality of Breeze Meeting by synchronizing Flash-based multi-user applications and content so that meeting attendees can collaborate on them in real-time. Developers can leverage this SDK to create interactive learning simulations, product demonstrations, sales ROI calculators, financial modeling, or interactive ice-breakers, to name a few examples, for use by general meeting organizers. 

We want to get you, our development community, involved with this technology -- it's the biggest innovation in real-time collaboration since screen-sharing.  Using the new Breeze Exchange (http://www.adobe.com/go/breeze_exchange), you can now post their Sync SWF creations for others to try and/or buy.

To celebrate this exciting news, we are running a contest in which four (4) $5,000 USD prizes will be given away.  Winners will be announced at Adobe MAX (http://www.adobe.com/events/max) in October, included in Breeze customer communications, and featured on adobe.com.  The contest is open to developers in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Netherlands, and Japan.  For full contest details, please see http://www.adobe.com/devnet/breeze/articles/sync_swf_contest.html.


Posted by pent at 03:38 PM

July 10, 2006

MAX 2006

MAX2006.bmp

MAX 2006 – Adobe User Conference


October 23-26, 2006

MAX 2006, the Adobe user conference, will be held at the Venetian Resort Hotel located in Las Vegas, Nevada. There you can learn new skills, explore emerging technologies, connect with peers, and move beyond the boundaries of what you believe is possible. The conference will be made up of over 100 different hands-on and workshop sessions presented by Adobe experts and other industry leaders on best practices and coming technologies. During the event you can exchange ideas with designers, developers, and other community members at networking sessions and "birds-of-a-feather" sessions while exploring Adobe technology at a variety of events and venues, including all-day pre-conference training sessions, a Test Drive and Product Support Lab, and Sneak Peek sessions. Sign up today and get $200 off registration. Click here to register now www.adobemax06.com. Or to find out more details regarding the conference click here www.adobe.com/events/max

Posted by pent at 03:07 PM

February 01, 2006

Flex 2.0 Beta

Been to Adobe Labs recently? Well head on over and check out the Flex 2 Beta! I think you'll been very surprised by what you find there.

The Flex engineering teams have done an outstanding job and Flex 2 is something we are all proud of. And with your help, just as with the Alpha, Flex can become even better.

So if you resisted the pull of the Alpha, then take the plunge with the Beta!

Posted by pent at 05:46 AM | Comments (6)

October 19, 2005

MAX 2005: Report from the Field

It's about time I sat down and wrote about my experience here at MAX 2005 in Anaheim, CA, while it is still fresh and still happening.

Now it is a question of where to begin. There's always something to learn. The sessions have so much content and there's never enough time to absorb it all. I had the priviledge of assisting in several training sessions with Matt Boles, David Gassner, and Jeff Tapper. Of course these were Flex-oriented and I really hope that if you attended any of them, you got something out of them.

This is a great time for the Flash Player platform. So many things: Flex 1.5, Flex 2 Alpha, Breeze and Breeze add-ons, Flash Mobile, and on and on.

I heard so many people buzzing about Studio 8 and how it was a great release. If you haven't checked it out, please do so.

I want to thank everyone for saying 'hello' and talking to me about your projects and what you want out of Flex. Please download and join the Alpha. It is very important for us to hear from you as this product is for you.

We at Macromedia are in the business of making you and your company succeed. It truely is about the experience. Your feedback during the Alpha phase enables the product to grow in ways that enable you. We can put in features we think you might like, but wouldn't it better to put in features you need and want?

If you could not attend MAX this year, you can catch what's happening on the blogs and forums. And make plans for next year. We have almost 3,000 people attend this year and look forward to seeing you there/here next year.

Posted by pent at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)

October 11, 2005

Flash Player 8: Auto Update

When prompted to perform a Flash Player update, users with beta versions of Flash Player 8 will NOT be able to successfully update using the auto-update mechanism. If you have a public beta version of Flash Player 8 installed, please update to the release version of the Player by going to http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflash.

Posted by pent at 08:00 PM | Comments (3)

July 30, 2005

Next Flash Player 8 Beta Available

Just a reminder... a new version of the public beta for Flash Player 8 is available. If you haven't checked it out, it kicks serious byte.

Find the public beta at: http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/public_beta

Posted by pent at 05:04 AM | Comments (1)

May 26, 2005

Using Flex with .NET

Flex 1.5 is a J2EE system and cannot be installed to run with .NET or IIS. This is unfortunate if you are a .NET shop.

But you do have some alternatives.

In either case, the licensing is per CPU to which the SWFs are deployed.

And before you ask: we are working on a .NET solution. No date has been set as to when this will happen.

For more information, see Chris Wigginton's comment below. Thanks, Chris!

Posted by pent at 03:09 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

March 24, 2005

The Story So Far

I've now been at Macromedia for a full quarter! I've guess I've made it past the 'trial period'. At least I hope so.

I'm most surprised by the diversity of the questions I've been fielding on Macromedia Flex. I only get to see a slice of the things you all do with Flex, and it's pretty interesting.

The types of questions I've seen so far can be divided into the following categories:

Installation and Configuration. Our installation engineers have done a great job of making Flex easy to install. But sometimes things don�t go as planned. Keep in mind that Flex is an Enterprise application, run within a J2EE or .NET environment. Unfortunately, not all J2EE environments are the same, which is where the trouble seems to lie.

Component development. While we all know that every MXML file you make is a component, sometimes specialty components need to be created. I had the privilege of writing a couple of articles on components for the Macromedia site. I've also seen some terrific components written by our customers. When they launch their Flex-powered sites, you will really see some amazing things.

Architecture. By and large the questions around architecting for Flex are the most common. Flex provides a versatile framework for building very sophisticated applications. But as applications grow and become complex, it is important to know how to make things efficient and follow some best-practices. You should check out the Macromedia Flex web site for articles on performance and other things you can do to make your applications better.

Later this year the newest version of the Flash Player, Player 8, will be released. The demo we saw at Macromedia MAX in New Orleans showcased the potential Player 8 will have on Flash applications - and that includes Flex. You will some great performance improvements. Keep your browser tuned to the Flash website for details.

The tag-line we use at Macromedia is 'experience matters' and my experience thus far has been great. All of the customers I've worked with have been super and it has been a privilege getting to know you and your work. I can't wait to see what else you come up.

I also want to thank my teammates for supporting me - giving me the answers, helping with customers, and showing me the ropes.

Posted by pent at 09:24 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

February 16, 2005

Bogus Posts

This weblog has recently been the victim of unwanted comments concerning gambling. These comments have been filled with links to websites that I do not endorse.

I have tried to remove them as quickly as possible. But it has forced me to turn off the ability for you to post comments about the articles.

I'm sorry that persons unknown have forced me to take this measure. It is very sad world when you cannot even put out information for the enjoyment of others without it being corrupted by someone without anything better to do.

If you have a comment or question about any of my entries, you know how to get in touch with me.

Posted by pent at 10:07 AM

December 09, 2004

Initialized

I've finally gone and done it - I now work for a company that makes products that I use and love. I've been a big fan of Macromedia for a number of years and now I'm on 'the inside'.

My official title is "Senior Flex Product Support Engineer". I've been using Flex since 1.0 was introduced. I'll explain my passion for Flex later, but suffice to say that Flex and I were made for each other.

Before joining Macromedia I was a customer. I downloaded free trials, I read the online documentation, I looked at the samples, etc. I tried to write my own programs, use the tools, and so forth. I did the things our customers do.

I am going to try very hard not to lose the customer's perspective and bring that point of view inside Macromedia. I believe this will benefit everyone.

In my new role I will help you write better applications and get the most out of our products. There is a wealth of knowledge and talent here that can be tapped.

Macromedia's success is your success and I've never worked for a company more aware of that and more focused on making its customers successful. The team I am now part of is clearly committed to this.

I will use this weblog to post solutions to problems that I common to many customers. Check often to see if there's something you can use. And please write in if you find a solution.

If you are a new Macromedia user or customer, take some time to look at all of the products. You will find that many work together or compliment each other.

Also take the time to look at the user forums - there's one for each product. Here you'll find help from other Macromedia customers and staff.

Posted by pent at 11:22 AM