Flash Version Discussion

Each recent version of the Flash Player had increased abilities over its predecessor. The breakdown is as follows:

Version 6 (MX IDE, c2002)
Added support for components, dynamic loading of JPEGs, native XML support, server-based streaming video, MP3s, etc.

Version 7 (MX 2004 Professional IDE, c2004)
Added support for non-server-based video (pseudo-streaming), programming classes, drawing tools, improved content loading, increased performance, web services interaction, improved CGI-based variable support, improve security, print object, Section 508 accessibility.

Version 8 (8 IDE, Summer 2005)
Added support for transparent-background video (green/blue screen), direct pixel manipulations (on-the-fly photoshop-life effects), dramatically improved text manipulation and readability, ability to dynamically import PNGs, GIFs, and Progressive JPEGs, as well as one of the most important features: exponentially faster rendering of vector content.

Version 9 (CS3 IDE, 2007)
The only significant addition to Flash Player 9 is ActionScript 3.0. This version of the ECMA-compliant scripting language is faster and more feature-rich than its predecessor, ActionScript 2.0.

Your Tour
Your tour will be built using Flash 8, for use with the Flash 8 player and later. It is a matter of capability more than performance or programming ease. To be able to support many of the features of a complex interface, Flash 8 or later is the only viable solution. These enhancements aid both the web visitor and staff who are responsible for updating tour content. From map layers and dynamic content spaces to supporting more varied media and pixel-specific manipulation, Flash 8 aids in updating and producing complex Flash presentations. Your tour will not feature any ActionScript 3.0 code, and as result, will not require the use of Flash Player 9.