authorware Vs flash
freq_501
thanks
Steve Howard
> are
This question is asked periodically. You would do yourself a big favour to
do a search for previous answers.
Some major points.
Flash has vector graphics and powerful animation abilities.
It is an OOP tool (object oriented), giving finite control of many elements
It is developed as a web-delivery tool first and foremost, and as such
suffers many restrictions (sandboxed in the browser) that prevent access to
the user's system and to many system features and functions.
Flash is used by millions of people around the world
The Flash web player is reportedly installed on 98% of all PCs and Macs.
It has payers for other systems like PocketPC, some phones, Linux, Sun ..
but only Windows and Mac have the most recent player.
First and foremost Flash was a web-based animation tool, but it has evolved
into a powerful multimedia system. It still has significant handicaps when
compared to tools that are not restricted by the browser.
Authorware has poor vector graphics, but can import most types of images,
movies and animations.
Authorware is not fully Oop, but does now have the option of using
JavaScript code which adds an Oop layer to some parts of Authorware.
Authorware was developed as a computer-based tool for delivering training.
As it evolved it became a tool for delivering CD-based and then web-based
training too.
Authorware has the ability to access the entire computer system, including
system dlls, the registry, ActiveX controls ... if packaged as exe this
access is there by default. If web packaged, the Authorware piece has to be
actively 'trusted' to gain such access. NT, Win2000 and XP systems limit
such access to that available via the current user privileges.
Authorware is used by thousands of people about the world.
The Authorware web player is usually not preinstalled on user's machines,
and this can be problematic for web delivery, but the problems are not
insurmountable.
Authorware is a PC-based application but it also has a Mac player. There is
an unofficial Linux-based project that makes it possible to run web-packaged
Authorware files.
Authorware does not run on portable devices.
First and foremost, Authorware is a tool for creating training applications.
It has powerful multimedia features that make it ideal for many other
applications, but it's forté is training.
It is generally agreed that it is 2 or 3 or more times faster to develop a
training application in Authorware compared to Flash.
There are numerous other strengths and weaknesses, but without knowing more
about your needs it is difficult to address what is useful to you.
HTH
Steve
--
http://www.eurotaac.com
You Know You Wish You Had
AMGAC
http://amgac.magnoliamultimedia.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer - Authorware
My blog - http://stevehoward.blogspot.com/
Dave B.
answering questions on this group and the list.
By the way, did you ever come up with a name for the merging companies?
Thanks again.
Dave
"Steve Howard" <steve@$NoSpam$tomorrows-key.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cmb6at$6p8$1...@forums.macromedia.com...
Mike Richards
> can some1 tell me what the main difference between flash and authorware are
>
> thanks
In addition to what Steve has already written I would like to add some
additional details:
Authorware can be seen as a kind of multimedia "glue". It brings
together disparate media types and allows you to control them all within
one programe. This includes adding Flash as a media source. So what can
Flash do that Authorware cannot? Nothing. If Authorware can't do
something natively then you make up a small Flash piece and import it
into Authorware. I use this a lot for fancy animated titles.
Secondly Authorware has an additional use in Instructional Design.
Because it is incredibly fast to produce anything in Authorware it
allows you to experiment far more with ideas. I have just finished
Michael Allen's book, "Guides to eLearning". In it he suggests that
rapid prototyping tools (such as Authorware) are vital to gathering
client understanding and approval during the design phase.
The idea is that you can quickly make a mock-up (grey screen no graphics
etc.) a model of the intended operation of the interactions. This allows
the client to "feel" the interaction, rather than interpret it off of an
Instructional Design Document. These prototypes should take no more than
an hour to build and be totally disposable. Used in this manner
Authorware supports all other development tools - including Flash.
Just my 2c.
Mike
Steve Howard
> Excellent information Steve...we appreciate your diligence in continually
> answering questions on this group and the list.
>
> By the way, did you ever come up with a name for the merging companies?
We did. We planned to make an announcement a couple of weeks ago, but we are
waiting for a couple of things to fall into place - including a little
time - before we make an official announcement. Thanks for the interest :-)