Flash started as FutureSplash from a company called FutureWave. It was an application program used to create compact vector graphics and animations for the web. Vector programs store information according to mathematical values, while bitmap based programs like Photoshop, store and render information based on pixels. It was sold to Macromedia in 1997 and became Flash. With Flash 3 scripting and interactive capability were limited. With Flash 4 and Flash 5, it developed into a robust application, which can render animation, graphics, text, and sound, create interactive experiences, communicate with servers to get and send information, and use other applications such as Generator to create employable sites and shows. Flash MX 2004, the latest version, has some interface changes and additional scripting abilities. To see the new features...
Hundreds of millions of users already have the flash player installed on their browser. It has become a standard tool for bringing animation to the internet.
The important thing to remember about Flash or any application, is that it is just a tool. Use it only as it suits your interests or goals. It has certain limitations, just as any application, but these limitations should never keep us from pushing the application, or from choosing another more appropriate tool for the job. One should always keep perspective and look back at the project at hand and find the best tool suited for the job, no matter what the tool may be, if a tool is even needed at all.
http://www.macromedia.com
(decent support section and tutorials)
FlashCore - The Center Of The Web Universe
SERVERS:
What is Flex?
Flex Presentation Server:
multi-step processing, client-side processing, direct manipulation (shopping
cart updates, etc.), data visualization. Feedback and interaction data chain.
Can work with JSP, ASP, and Servlets.
see macromedia
for more and/or watch video
What is the Flash Communicatons Server?
A server based
platform for creating and developing interactive web-based audio/video
applications such as broadcasted events, webcam chat, and real-time collaboration
applications.
see macromedia for details
What is Flash Remoting MX?
For data driven Flash content. This application
integrates Flash in with your web server integrated Flash with ColdFusion,
JAVA, SOAP, etc.
see macromedia for details
MOBILE DEVICES
What is Flash Lite?
This application integrates Flash with mobile phones
see macromedia for
details
Flash Player for Pocket PC?
Distribute and play Flash content on Pocket PC PDAs
see macromedia for
details
What is Flashcast?
Enables rich media content (data transfer) to mobile
phones
see macromedia for details
OTHER PRODUCTS:
What is Central?
For building Flash applications that run outside the browser, such as
AOL AIM and ICQ messenging services.
see macromedia for details
What is Captivate?
An application that automatically records onscreen actions and turns them
into an interactive Flash simulation.
see macromedia for details