Flex Builder re-branded as Flash Builder
Ok, this was the biggest surprise of 2009 about Flash Platform. There will be no more Flex Builder because Adobe decided to name it as Flash Builder. Detailed information and FAQ links are located below from authorized people.
Most Flex Developers like me will be disappointed with the re-branding decision. We are Flex lovers who had spent many years with Flash, and finally had a SDK and a geat tool that saved us from shiny, animated, overdrawn Flash designs. The word FLEX won’t be pronounced as it is today.
In my opinion the name change wasn’t needed (or could be more general like Flash Platform Builder) but this seems another intelligent branding strategy from Adobe as they always managed to do, like inventing the phrases Flash Platform and RIA. Also this action was forced by Flash Developers, who started to use Flex Builder as their main development tool for Actionscript, as I did. After switching to Flex Builder for Actionscript development, I started to hate Flash IDE. I think in future Flash Developers Adobe should release a tool which enables us to leave the Flash IDE (I don’t mean developing on Flex Builder, what I want to say is leaving it forever). Flash Catalyst seems a good example for the action, but I cannot stop thinking about the reaction or with a better explanation adaptation ability of designers. Because I haven’t seen a Flash DEsigner who switched completely to the new Motion Panel of CS4, because they think old Timeline Motion Tween are much easier to use as they are more familiar to it.
It is Adobe’s call, and we will get used to it. Besides the important thing is what we do.
More information:
Upcoming name change of Flex Builder to Flash Builder by Sven Claar
Flash Builder rebrand FAQ by Lee Brimelow
A much needed name change by Lee Brimelow
