No doubt, you have heard about XML. XML is everywhere. For Web designers, that can add to the confusion. If something is everywhere, it's nowhere. If only you heard 'XML is the new HTML,' then maybe you could wrap your mind around it as a markup language. But chances are, you've heard much more than that about XML.

Part 1 of this article (Vol. 1, issue 3) covered a general introduction to the Extensibility Layer and discussed the fundamental DOM and the relationship between different parts of a Flash document and their associated objects. It introduced the History panel and showed you how to build your own Flash panels. In this installment we take an in-depth look at XML2UI and Flash dialog boxes.

This is the second in a series of articles on globalizing ColdFusion MX (CFMX) applications. This article examines character encodings and CFMX, BIDI (bidirectional text), the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) in application globalization (G11N), and why we should all just use Unicode.

Central is important to developers for a number of reasons. First, Central provides an application framework with which you can sell the applications you make. You just have to add a few purchasing details to an XML file and edit a Web form. Additionally, the user is presented with information about how to purchase.

Whenever I tried to win an argument with my mother, she'd usually end up saying the final words, 'Like it or get used to it.' That's the way it is with the multitude of programs graphic artists use today. Incorporating multiple programs into a single, seamless suite is an extremely difficult concept.

Could it be that we're about to see the disappearance of QuickTime, Windows Media Player, and RealOne as viable Web players for streaming video and audio? Now that I have your attention, this question is not as radical as it appears at first glance.

I recently received a letter from a reader asking if I knew of any plug-in programs to create text effects in Fireworks MX. The reader seemed a bit surprised when I wrote back and told them that Fireworks already had the tools to get the job done.

Panic seems to be a common feeling for those new to Director, those who dare to launch it. We're going to try to ease the feeling of panic and create familiarity with common interface elements. You should also feel inspired to use Director for projects where you may be using Flash for comfort's sake.

Macromedia, purveyor of technologies such as Flash, Dreamweaver, ColdFusion, Fireworks, and Director, is looking for Java developers to form advisory groups to better understand the needs of Java developers and inform future product development.