Flash Player 6 Beta

February 1, 2002 8:07 AM

Flash Player 6 Beta.... need I say more.
posted by MintSauce (10 comments total)

I wonder what features the creator software is going to have over the previous version? Will those with Player 5 be stuck? I've got the flash plugin for Solaris. I hope they continue making a Sun version. But I am a minority.
posted by jmccorm at 8:11 AM on February 1, 2002

Well, um, yeah, you do "need to say more."

Is this for Flash developers, or users? Does it matter to me as a user who doesn't usually know or care that something is flash or not?

I just assume that one day I'll get an IE install message asking me if I trust MacroMedia or whomever and I'll get the upgrade. I like that.

But back to the beta: Are people publishing stuff that you can't see without 6? Or does it "do" legacy content better somehow?

I'm not trying to flame, I'm just curious.
posted by fnirt at 8:20 AM on February 1, 2002

Yah, I don't understand why you would release a Beta player without the Beta app -- maybe it just runs flash 5 stuff faster?

Top 2 things-I'm hoping:
-They allow toggling of anti-aliasing on a movieclip/text box basis.
-The speed up the damn XML parser and make the XML socket faster.
posted by malphigian at 8:43 AM on February 1, 2002

Flash Player 6 Beta FAQ

What is the Macromedia Flash Player 6 Public Beta?

Macromedia Flash Player 6 Public Beta is a pre-release version, of the final release. It is been made available for developers and consumers to test their content to ensure existing content plays back correctly, and there are no compatibility issues.
posted by Stuart_R at 8:48 AM on February 1, 2002

So what's the special sauce? What's new and improved in version 6?
posted by panopticon at 8:57 AM on February 1, 2002

Duh, thanks stuart_R.

Psst, Just found these screenshots.
posted by malphigian at 8:59 AM on February 1, 2002

The Flash 6 authoring app is in Beta as well. Even my warez-lovin' buddy was bragging about having it (him using it is a different story, in typical warez collector fashion he's got software he doesn't even understand).

I've seen a brief rundown on the new features on a Flash or Mac centric website but can't dig it up right now. IIRC they are addressing the anti-aliasing small text issues, some interface improvements and some other stuff.

Anyone remember the 'fake' beta screenshots that some site did a while ago? Tons of new features like 3D and other wild stuff that won't make it in for a long time, if ever?
posted by mutagen at 9:16 AM on February 1, 2002

yeah, that fake was pretty much a compendium of people's wish lists for Flash 6. Most of it was absurd. If you want 3D, go with Director/Shockwave. One of the best things about the Flash player is that it's generally been no more than 300k in size. Most of those listed features would have bloated the player way too much.

Flash 6 changes, as far as I know:
-Some added usability. What that means, I'm not sure.
-Built in UI components, like drop-down menus and radio boxed.
-Improved action script, especially in terms of Object Orientedness.
posted by mkn at 10:30 AM on February 1, 2002

also:
-more tools for managing symbols and shared libraries
-new accessibility stuff
-more xml functions
-line and fill drawing tools in actionscript
etc

anyone hoping for a 3d engine should watch this space (disclaimer: self link)
posted by sawks at 3:24 PM on February 1, 2002

I recall that my cousin-in-law, who is currently busting his butt on the Flash team at Macromedia, was asking me for any online wishlists for Flash that people may have had... Naturally, I sure found them, but it'll be interesting to see what's risen to the top of the implemented features in Flash 6.

I'm certainly looking forward to it...
posted by Down10 at 1:21 AM on February 2, 2002