Get That Data!

It seems that almost every software developer is trying to add things to their products like the ability to consume Web services, database connectivity and support for XML data. Macromedia is no exception. Take a look at their Flash MX Data Connection Kit to see how they're adding a new tool to Flash's arsenal: Firefly.

Macromedia Central Demystified

Just exactly what is Macromedia Central? Using Macromedia's newly aquired Breeze technology, Lea Hickman gives us the skinny on Central.

SARS Boosts Use Of Flash

After the deadly oubreak of SARS, Hong Kong schools were ordered shut last month. The San Francisco Chronicle has reported that many classes are still in session, thanks to Macromedia's Flash Communication Server. Teachers using Webcams and the FlashComm Server are able to conduct lectures, present material that is hand-written or written on a white board, field questions, and hold discussions. Never one to miss a marketing opportunity, Macromedia has created a press release on the use of FlashComm in Hong Kong. Not surprisingly, the press release includes a video streamed with--you guessed it--Flash.

Got Blog?

I've had conversations with several people over the last few months about ways to allow clients to make their own changes to a Web site. Macromedia Contribute is certainly one option worth considering. Another option is using a Blog. "What's a Blog?" most people say when I mention this as a possible solution to the "but I just want to add some text to the homepage" problem. According to Wired, Blogs are to words what Napster was to music. Blog is short for Weblog (think Web journal). A Blog allows you to easily update a Web page, and automatically formats the text (making heavy use of CSS) and adds date/time and author data automatically to each post.

There are many different apps which can be used to create and edit blogs. Some blogging software gets installed on users' hard drives, while others allow you to add and edit blog entries from a browser. Doing the latter--using a browser to enter posts--does have some disadvantages, but the ability to blog from _any_ computer connected to the Web is a great feature, and one not lost on the users of what may be the most popular Blogging app, Blogger. Other popular apps include Movable Type and Greymatter.

"Just how much do these blog things cost?" you may be wondering. Hold on to your hat: many of them are free! You heard right, free. In a world where most software vendors either want you to shell out big bucks for their apps or who pester you with endless nag screens unless/until you register, it is refreshing to find that some things are still free.

Not sure where/how to begin? Check out this blogging software comparison table, or the IHope.org reviews of several blogging apps. You may also want to read the book BLOGGING: Genius Strategies for Instant Web Content by Biz Stone.

And don't forget the bells and whistles: once you have your Blog set up, you'll probably also want to add a counter and a comments system...