DIGG IT! I came across some strange actionscript today.
foo = new ---------------------
foo.-----------
*I am not on the Central Beta, but edited the above code by request.
Basically this uploads and installs Central from within the Flash Player. Although it gets me excited about Central, this code has a subtle and much more important implication for developers.
For years, Flash has operated on a deployment curve in that after a new player is release, it takes about 6-9 months for the player to reach critical mass of 80+% deployed. After critical mass, one can safely use the new Player functionality without asking a high percentage of end users to upgrade. This ultimately leads to a delay in development use of new player features and slows player adoption. This cycle has been holding true since FutureSplash plug-in made its debut as an activeX control in IE 3.
What is key about the actionscript above is that the Flash Player is downloading and installing system software on your operating system. OH NO, OH YES!!! ;)
This installation process 'should' allow you to upgrade the Player from within itself. If this theory holds true, we as developers are no longer bound to wait to use new functionality, but rather we have the ability to upgrade the player from within our application on-demand. If our application finds it is running in a sub-par player, it can upgrade itself.
Hopefully we won't have to get the end user involved. In this regard, even one dialog or question is one to many!!!
Personally, I am ready to say goodbye to this Player Era and usher in the new.
ted ;)
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