Critical security update to FMS 4.0.2 and earlier

Adobe has identified a critical security issue with FMS requiring an immediate update. If you are running FMS 4.0.2 or earlier (which is pretty much all versions of FMS out there today) a bug in memory handling could be used by an attacker to trigger a denial of service.

Bottom line: update today. Refer to Adobe’s security bulletin for more information about the problem, and a link to download the updater.

http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-20.html

UPDATE 5/2011: CS5.5 now shipping! For more information visit http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite.html

Adobe announced Creative Suite 5.5 this morning (usually they ship within about a month after breaking the news). There will be lots of enhancements in this release for those of us who need to design and deploy for mobile devices. They’ve also added two new products to the suites: Acrobat and Audition. (Audition will be replacing Soundbooth as Adobe’s professional audio editing tool.) Performance has been improved for video production and encoding, with new releases of Premiere and the Adobe Media Encoder.

To get up to speed quickly, check out these videos on Adobe.tv:

– Improved 64-bit Adobe Media Encoder CS5.5

– Integrated audio-for-video workflow

– Overview of what’s new in Adobe Audition CS5.5

– What’s new in Flash Builder 4.5

– Introducing Adobe Flex 4.5 SDK

– What’s new in Dreamweaver CS5.5

– Mobile development using Adobe Flex 4.5 SDK and Flash Builder 4.5

– Introducing Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP

– Coding productivity enhancements in Flash Builder 4.5

– Introducing Flash Catalyst CS5.5

– Understanding the new workflows in Flash Builder 4.5 and Flash Catalyst CS5.5

Definitely some compelling reasons for those of us running CS5 to upgrade, and even more reason for CS3 or CS4 users to get up to speed — especially if you need to deploy to devices (and who doesn’t)?

I wrote a book a few years ago (yikes, time flies!) called Flash Video for Professionals. While still relevant, the landscape of Flash video, and online video publishing in general, is evolving. So I’ve decided to publish a “living book” one that is always current and is influenced by what you, the reader, need to know NOW.

So, if you are just getting started publishing video online, just getting started with Flash, or you’re an old hand at it and just want to keep up with the latest video features, I want to pick your brain.

I want this e-book to be the most useful and comprehensive resource on the planet for publishing video in Flash. To do that, I have to be sure it answers all of YOUR questions. So tell me what they are! Complete this quick 9-question survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FYV6HLT

It’s a short survey, but there is some room for your comments if you have specific recurring stumbling blocks that you want me to cover. But, sorry, I can’t help with those issues with your mother.

Thanks for your input,
// Lisa

On Wednesday, June 9 at 11am PST/2pm EST I’ll be presenting an online Connect session to introduce Open Source Media Framework 1.0.

http://www.eventsadobe.com/osmflaunch/invite.html

I’ll introduce the fundamentals of Open Source Media Framework (OSMF), give you a head start with some basic code examples, and also show you some quick and easy no-code options for building players on the framework. This session is for beginner to intermediate programmers and web developers who want to gain a better understanding of OSMF, and how it can simplify media player development.

And just for attending, you could win a copy of CS5!

So go register now, and I’ll see you there…

6/18/2010 UPDATE: Session recording will be available shortly (I’ll update this post when I have the link). Sample code and assets available now: http://www.flashconnections.com/osmf/OSMF_Launch_Code.zip

I’m presenting an FMS Crash Course tomorrow, online via Connect on Adobe Groups:

Getting Started with FMS . Adobe Groups.

Over 75% of web video today is delivered on the Flash Platform. Flash Media Server (FMS) is Adobe’s streaming server that is powering this content delivery. The latest version of FMS provides robust, scalable live and on-demand streaming, along with powerful features such as real-time interaction, Dynamic Streaming, DVR functionality, smart buffering and more.

Attendees of this presentation will gain a deeper understanding of how the server works, what it can do, and how to deploy streaming media applications that leverage its features. We’ll look at where files go and why, what you can do with server-side ActionScript and what it looks like, and even see how easy it is to create a custom 2-person videoconference. We’ll also look at the pros and cons of various hosting solutions.

You’ll walk away with an understanding of streaming on the Flash Platform, along with an overview of what is possible with FMS — and how to achieve it.

Times by Zone:
9:00am Pacific
10:00am Mountain
11:00am Central
12:00pm Eastern

See you there!

.. and now Streaming Media Magazine has given me one!

I doubt it'll be traded, but here it is!

Thanks to everyone who nominated me; it was a very pleasant surprise to be chosen!

Adobe has released the latest version of their free desktop encoding application for Flash Media Server live streaming. Top features include Multi-bitrate encoding (encode up to 3 different bitrates at once for Dynamic Streaming delivery), DVR functionality, chunking of output files for easier file management, and enhanced auto-adjust for degrading quality when bandwidth is limited to ensure a smooth stream.

And the biggest new feature of course, is that all of this is now supported ON THE MAC. I like it when Adobe listens.

Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder 3.1 for Windows and Mac OS

It’s not often an instructor will post their unedited feedback from a workshop or class… but that’s just what Seb has done for his Flash Games Programming workshop he taught in Brighton, UK recently. As you can see, attendees became raving fans.

Well, I’m happy to announce that I’m helping Seb bring this course to NYC, in association with the Flash and the City conference, May 13, 2010.

Flash Games Programming – NYC training course – Eventbrite

Suitable for beginners to advanced Flash programmers, Seb will walk you through the creation of Flash games from basic concepts to completed projects. This is a rare opportunity to gain knowledge about game design, learn tips and tricks, and really understand how to make games that rock!

There is limited seating available for this one-day course, and as of this writing there is just one “super-early-bird” ticket left… so grab your seat!

Flash Games Programming – NYC training course – Eventbrite

Jan Ozer and I had a quick ooVoo video chat about our upcoming workshop, Streaming Production and Flash Seminar – March 23 in NYC. Watch it for more info about what we’ll cover!

Along with streaming media luminary Jan Ozer, I am presenting a one-day intensive workshop on “Streaming Production & Flash Delivery” to be held on March 23, 2010 in New York City.

DETAILS and REGISTRATION: Streaming Production & Flash Delivery Workshop – Eventbrite.

If you need to brush up on any part of the workflow involved in getting video on the web, this workshop is for you.

Jan will cover the production end of things with “Production for Streaming” and “Encoding H.264 video for Flash, iPod/iPhone/iPad and Silverlight.”

I will cover the technical end of things with a morning session “Flexible Protocols and Custom Player Development” which gets you up to speed on the various delivery methods now available in Flash (including adaptive streaming via HTTP Streaming, P2P via RTMFP) and custom video player development for both the programmer and the non-programmer using Open Source Media Framework and third-party streaming (Influxis.com). Then in the afternoon I present a “Flash Media Server Crash Course” which will get you going with FMS with a full understanding of how to set up the server, what it can do, and how to do it.

Sign up now before it sells out… we are only presenting one day of training this time around, and there is limited seating!

Streaming Production & Flash Delivery Workshop – Eventbrite.

Flash Media Server hosting and applications generously provided by