Macromedia Flash 8 is the latest in the Flash family of software. Flash was originally just a vector animation tool but is now one of the most advanced programs for creating rich Internet applications to provide powerful user experiences. Not only is the player that plays Flash content one of the most downloaded pieces of softwaresurpassing both Internet Explorer and Netscape as well as nearly all media playersbut the content is so small in file size that anyone can create great user experiences for dial-up users.

This new version of Flash continues its hard-to-follow tradition of bringing new and exciting features for developers and designers who have been begging for dynamic PNG, GIF, and progressive JPEG support. New features include file upload and download right from the SWF, alpha channel support in video, and real-time dynamic filters and effects. And Macromedia didn't stop with content featuresthey streamlined panel management, bringing back tabs in panels as well as more robust preference controls, and brought back Normal mode (now Script Assist) in the Actions panel. This new version of Flash is definitely one to take notice of.

Along with the newest version of Flash comes the new edition of Macromedia Flash Professional 8 Unleashed. Throughout this book, you will find countless examples and explanations of some of the newest and most powerful tools Flash has to offer, including a complete overview of ActionScript 2.0, the new version of Flash's programming language. Also included in this book is a handy reference guide for ActionScript to help with faster workflow.

Macromedia Flash Professional 8 Unleashed was created with the reader's needs in mind. Please don't hesitate to email me your experiences with this book as well as with Flash 8 at missing-link@mllabs.com.