October 31, 2006

Want to help shape the next version of Flash Media Server

I'm trying to stay positive here and that we WILL see another version of Flash Media Server. Due to the complete lack of new material about FMS on Adobe's site nor at the huge MAX event in Las Vegas (and other Max events around the world), it's a bit tough.

But anyways, the product manager of Flash Media Server, Steve Wolkoff, has decided to let you post on his blog what you would like to see in the next version. So, go tell him. Let's pray that it doesn't take them as long as it did to get to FMS from FCS though..

I have to say though, we (FMS community) have sent tons of opinions and ideas to him, to have to again start from scratch and write them all down is a bit frustrating. I would hope that it wouldn't have been too much effort to say something like "this is what we have received so far," (and list them) "any votes for these items or anything else to add?". I think that would be a bit more helpful to the cause and shows initiative and respect towards all that have worked hard to see FMS grow and improve. Although I do appreciate the fact that he is now publicly asking. So once again, go hassle him :)

Posted by Graeme at October 31, 2006 11:43 AM
　



Comments

good on yer Graeme on bringing this to ppls's attentions. I know for a fact that feedback/requests infuence the ColdFusion product....

"we (FMS community) have sent tons of opinions and ideas to him"

can you suggest a blog post or three mentioning some/many of the suggestions? just want to see what others are thinking...

cheers

Posted by: barry.b at October 31, 2006 01:31 PM

Graeme, how about Peer-to-peer video and audio streaming in Flash Player 10? Sometimes this apporoach is much better idea than broadcasting thru FMS that requires tones of traffic of ISP where server lives.

Posted by: Michael Klishin at October 31, 2006 02:03 PM

Hi Graeme, I don't have personal info in this area myself. But from what Steve wrote it sounds like he's seeking info in light of the changes of the past few months:

"In the past few weeks, there have been some organizational changes within Adobe that will really benefit the FMS team. We'll have more Dev and QE, resources, more marketing, more training, docs, demos, etc. It will take time, but I believe that Adobe is committed to helping FMS grow."

This sounds to me like it's not so much about what we wanted twelve months ago, so much as what we want now. Given what we now know about Connect, Apollo, the video explosion, the way that Adobe is continuing the opening of Macromedia, what is it that's now most important?

Thanks for already replying in Steve's request. I just see a brighter side to things than what it sounds like you're seeing, above.

jd

Posted by: John Dowdell at October 31, 2006 02:11 PM

Barry, good request. Let me search around a bit and I'll make a separate blog post on that.

Michael, that's a good idea but not for the FMS team, that goes straight to the Flash player team I think. I like it though but doubt it will happen unless it's in a breeze like "flash player".

John, Steve has been saying stuff like that for a while in a few lists.. nothing has changed yet. When I see change or feel it's coming from what I can gather from emails or blog posts or mailing list posts, then my attitude will change I think. Don't get me wrong though, FMS pays the bills and feeds me daily, I'm all for the software and am constantly supporting the community. I just wish I would see even 1/10th of my effort come out of Adobe. Not trying to be self-centric there, that's just a relative comparison of effort versus non-effort.

But if you're feeling good about it, that cheers me up a bit, thanks for posting :)

Posted by: Graeme at October 31, 2006 03:46 PM

Left a comment for you on Steve's blog but didn't know you had a bLog too so some feedback here.

FMS already ships with a packaging tool that can both package and compile your scripts into so called far files ( same concept as war files ). The tool is called far ( or far.exe ) and it's mentioned in the docs.

Posted by: Owen van Dijk at October 31, 2006 11:21 PM

Hi Owen

Thanks for the comment :) I'm actually aware of what far.exe does but in essence, as far as I'm aware, all it does is act like a zip program and doesn't actually speed up the server side code in anyway. The scripts are still read out as JS code on the server. What we need is compilation of the code so it can run native, and some type of encoding for security. Thinking on it now, I probably should have been more detailed in my post on Steve's blog.

Posted by: Graeme at November 1, 2006 01:42 AM

Hi Graeme,

Actually far can both compile, encrypt and package your code. True, it's a poor man's weak encryption but FMS does not compile the code again on request.

Posted by: Owen van Dijk at November 1, 2006 02:56 AM