> I think you could make an argument that having multiple VM (or at > least the incompatibilities between them) has hurt Java on the client > side. > > I can't tell you how many times I have gone to run an applet, and it > won't run because I don't have the correct jvm installed in my > browser (Macromedia's expense report system was built as an applet, > and this caused quite a few problems). > > mike chambers
I don't think any OS player will substitute to the official one on the platform supported by Adobe (mainly Windows and Mac). There is no direct gain for the end-user so it doesn't make sense to switch the player. For instance Firefox was a relative success only because IE security problems and some global improved experience (tabs). On the platform not supported by Adobe (I'm partialy incuding Linux because it seems like Player7 have some bugs - which is BTW hurting both developers and users), it makes a lot of sense to have an OS player, since even if it have some stuble differences - maybe enhancements - it's always better than *nothing*. As a system developer, I understand that you cannot put tremendous resources on supporting platforms used by a small percentage of users such as FreeBSD on 64-bit. It's then logical to help good willing people to fix that for you. It also makes a lot of sense on the Desktop (there are issues with Flash Player licensing), on embedded devices (I would love to run my games on Nintendo DS or Sony PSP) and everywhere else outside the browser, where the player can be modified/customized for your own needs. The lack of OS alternative (or Adobe opening the player source) is IMHO a major showstopper in the adoption of Flash as a platform. Most of the users don't want vendor lock-in when it comes to running the code, and that's good news for Adobe, since Flash business model is about selling the IDE. There is nothing to fear from an OS player, just things to hope. Nicolas _______________________________________________ osflash mailing list [email protected] http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
