Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform created in 1996 by Macromedia that is ideal for adding animation and video, plus it allows the user to interact with the computer in many ways. Ideal use for Flash would be in computer games or advertisements while lately it has been found useful as a Rich Internet Application tool or RIA.
Flash has an object oriented language called ActionScript, while its other creative uses are manipulation of vector and raster graphics which enables animation of text, illustrations plus still images. Adobe also can seize information input via the mouse, the keyboard, camera or microphone. All this subject matter can be displayed on the computer by using Adobe Flash Player which can be downloaded without charge for use on web browsers, mobile phones and a number of electronic devices.
Opinion varies as to whether Flash is a good addition or not or as to whether it is an advantage to have this type of software. Some users find Flash a huge plus being pleased with the way it enhances their experience on the web while others find it an annoyance especially when used in advertising, so seek software that will block this system. One example of how flash is delighting web users is through the many online games that are being created with the programme. FlowPlay's ourWorld is a prime example, made purely out of flash, this online entertainment see's millions of kids and adults play flash games on a daily basis.
The jury is definitely out on this subject.
Adobe took over the Flash system in 2005. Its predecessor Smart Sketch was transferred to Microsoft Windows and Mac OS was modified and renamed Future Splash, was further modified in 1995 and released as Future Splash animator which eventually became Flash.
Flash Video
Flash Video was first introduced with Flash version 6 as a free cross platform browser plug in for video. It is a very popular choice because of its large installed user base plus its programmability. Apple however is one company that did not have enthusiasm for Flash criticising its non use of hardware acceleration which spurred Flash on to release a version using GPU hardware. Flash 10.2 beta was released in 2010.
Flash Audio
Flash Audio is encoded in MP3 or AAC as well as supporting ADPCM, Nellymoser and Speex audio codecs it does not however support 48 kHz audio sample rate which is the norm in most TVs and DVD players. In August 2007 Adobe released update 3 of Flash Player 9 while also announcing its gradual move away from the FLV format to standard ISO base media file format. Adobe Flash player 10 does not support acoustic echo cancellation as in Skype or Google Voice, this therefore makes it less popular or suited to group sessions as headphones are required making it less inclusive.
Other Flash applications include Adobe Flash Professional which is also used with web applications, games, movies plus content for mobiles and other devices. See listed below releases and their release dates:
Future Splash Animator - 1996
Macromedia Flash 1 - 1996
Macromedia Flash 2 - 1997
Macromedia Flash 3 - 1998
Macromedia Flash 4 - 1999
Macromedia Flash 5 - 2000
Macromedia Flash MX6 - 2002
Macromedia Flash MX - 2003
Macromedia Flash 8 - 2005
Adobe Flash Professional CS3 - 2009
Adobe Flash Professional CS4 - 2010
Adobe Flash professional CS5 (10.1) - 2010