Flash

• More OOP in Flash
• XML, Another Way to Run Your Flash Application
• A New Role for Flash

According to John Dowdell (pictured) - author of the popular online blog "JD's Forum" - staff within Macromedia "tried to anticipate various reactions" to its recent decision to package Yahoo! Toolbar with its Flash player, bundling it in with your download by default if you're using IE.  A decision that has met with pockets of vociferous criticism among various online communities and blogs.

"If there's a potential scenario which could affect the common good, then getting it identified and addressed is in everybody's best interest," Dowdell wrote in speedy feedback to the hyperology.com blog, in response to the colorful accusation there that Macromedia "loves shoving icepicks under its toenails."

Dowdell, who joined Macromedia in 1993 and listens to people on various mailing lists, forums, and newsgroups, was addressing the ticklish problem that critics in the blogosphere had begun to say that they felt the situation to be reminiscent of spyware-bundling applications such as Gator and the like - ironic, given that one of the stated features of the Yahoo! Toolbar is its 'Anti-Spy' mechanism.

"I'm not convinced that this is such a good business move by Macromedia, even if Yahoo! did pay them a load of cash," blogged one UK developer. "You can guarantee that it'll put more than a few people off downloading the Flash player, and as a professional web developer working primarily with Flash that has the potential to affect me directly."

At hyperology.com the tone was markedly sharper:

"Most of the time, when product X comes bundled with product Y, it's because a) neither product X or Y is able to stand on its own, or b) one or more of the products is spyware. Memo to Macromedia, and to Yahoo!: spyware - even the mere appearance of spyware - sucks. And come on, Macromedia! The Flash player is some obscenely high percentage -ubiquitous - (to use your vernacular): why lump the Yahoo! toolbar into the mix? Unless the good folks at Yahoo! a) have incriminating photographs of your execs in compromising positions with farm animals or b) paid you fifty kajillion dollars (U.S.), reconsider your short-sighted decision."

Macromedia's Dowdell responded to this right away on the hyperology site with his characteristic candor:

"For the 'spyware' angle, the Yahoo! Toolbar has turned up as a solid citizen in my own research, but if you know of an existing or potential exploit then I'd appreciate the lead, thanks."

He added:

"Macromedia Flash Player is the single most widely-adopted software in history. The stock valuations of search engines are enormous - they have a lot (a lot!) more money than software companies - and they'll pay to increase their connection with consumers. For my own part, I like shifting some of the revenue sources from software packages to consumers, indirectly through placement like this... feels more democratic to me, but that's a personal feeling, and I don't know about others at Macromedia. Regardless, a deal has to work for everyone to be any good, long-term."

The online world was quick to thank Dowdell for his responsiveness.