Multidmedia Limited (MDM)

We first mentioned a new MDM Software Title in June that would center around extending Adobe AIR Applications, with a Public Beta due to have been released in July. Unfortunately, no sooner did we make the announcement that we came up against a wall in the shape of the Adobe AIR License Agreement.

Now, we were already aware of the “do’s” and “don’ts” of the AIR License following a flurry of discussions over the legality of ”standalone” AIR Applications. Basically, the bottom line was (and still is)  ”Adobe does not permit the use of Adobe AIR without installation.” That was never a problem as our software was created to extend Adobe AIR apps, not necessarily to make them standalone. (Incidentally, these issues were raised following the release of other 3rd party software tools which do make AIR apps standalone. Whilst these apps are still available to download/purchase, they’re not in compliance with the AIR License Agreement and the onus is placed on the user to be legally responsible for using them.)

Standalone restrictions aside, it does appear that the Adobe AIR License also restricts the location and manner in which Adobe AIR applications are installed and executed on an end user system.

For the past 8 weeks we have been in discussions with the Adobe AIR Licensing Team to ensure that our new software would be in compliance with the Adobe AIR License Agreement. Unfortunately, despite best efforts from both MDM and Adobe to make our new baby compliant, the changes involved would mean that the core functionality of the software would have been lost, leaving behind something that wouldn’t serve much purpose. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation as our new tool is 99% complete and ready for Public Testing, but releasing it now would be to go against Adobe AIR policy and we too would be placing the burden of responsibility on the end user, which is clearly not good business (or ethical) practice.

It’s unlikely that we would be able to ensure 100% compliance whilst retaining 100% functionality, which means that for the time being, our AIR “Extender” is indefinitely shelved.

The 3.0.8 update is available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users. Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

The 3.0.7 update is available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users. Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Adobe AIR was officially released earlier this year. Often referred to as a direct competitor to Zinc, MDM have always maintained that both Zinc and Adobe AIR can work hand-in-hand for different types of desktop applications based on the Flash Platform. MDM also published an article to this effect last year whilst AIR (then called “Apollo”) was still in Beta.

We believe Zinc 3.0 is the definitive choice for building real Desktop Applications with Flash and Flex, but we’re also aware that for certain projects, Adobe AIR is also a viable option. Following the release of Zinc 3.0 in January 2008, we’ve been working hard on developing new ways to extend the comprehensive {mdm}Script 3.0 API to all facets of Flash Application Development… even as part of Adobe AIR

We’re just a few weeks away from releasing the first beta of a new Development Tool which will introduce the functionality and expandability of Zinc 3.0 to developers who really need to use Adobe AIR for their Desktop Application Projects. (You know who you are ). Along with benefits of an enriched API, the new tool will also bring about a few welcome surprises.

Look out for an official press release, and public beta, in early July

The 3.0.6update is available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users. Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Adobe are working hard on the Crown Jewel of their Software lineup and have recently announced the prerelease download of Flash Player 10, codenamed “Astro”. From the Adobe Website:

“Adobe® Flash® Player 10, code-named “Astro,” introduces new expressive features and visual performance improvements that allow interactive designers and developers to build the richest and most immersive Web experiences.  These new capabilities also empower the community to extend Flash Player and to take creativity and interactivity to a new level.”

We’ve gotten used to recent Flash Player Updates focusing on implimenting and improving the coding capabilities of Flash and generally improving the speed and playback of Flash Content… but the new Key Features of “Astro” really do seem to show how far the Flash Player has come and it’s new “Grown Up” Persona.

• 3D Effects
• Custom Filters and Effects
• Advanced Text Layout
• Enhanced Drawing API
• Hardware Acceleration (Thank you!)

For a full Feature List and videos on the New Features, check out the Adobe Flash Player 10 Beta Page.

Oh, and MDM,  of course, will be looking to update Zinc with the new Flash Player once it becomes available for general and final release.

Fresh new update available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users

This Build fixes the notorious “XML Stripping” bug which was previously marked as a high priorty. Click Here for Details.

Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Fresh new update available to download for Registered and Non-Registered Users

Read the Release Notes and Fixes Here.

Update 3.0.3 is now available for download (Windows, Mac OSX and Linux). Registered Users can log into MyAccount and Trial Users can re-download Zinc 3.0 Builder Here.

Release Notes for Zinc 3.0.3 can be found Here.

We’ve just released an Update to Zinc 3.0 Builder and Plug-Inswhich continues to resolve the initial teething issues that have been reported.

A Special note should go to the users who reported a speed/frame-rate issue with Zinc 3.0 which was investigated and later remedied. Thanks to everyone who helped pin that issue down, but you’ll be glad to know that the 3.0.2 Projectors now run at the same speed as the native Web Flash Player (Please note that Trial projectors built with 3.0.2 will still run slightly slower due to the embedded watermark)

Release Notes for Zinc 3.0.2 can be found Here.