June 15, 2005

Let the Games Begin

Microsoft Acrylic Technology Preview - Home

So I think I've figured out how the Adobe/Macromedia deal was pulled off so perfectly and so silently.

It [not really but almost quite literally] happened overnight.

Or lets say it happened over the course of 3 months. Something that big in 3 months might as well be overnight. And its a lot easier to keep your lips sealed for 3 months than it is for 6-12 which seems a much more realistic time frame one would expect a deal like that to take. In fact, at LEAST that long.

What am I talking about?

This.

About Acrylic
"Acrylic" is the codename for an innovative illustration, painting and graphics tool that provides exciting creative capabilities for designers working in print, web, video, and interactive media.

So here the deal... The future of graphics is on the web.

Don't worry, I'm not expecting a phone call from God asking if I would like to take on a Prophet contract, even a high paying short term gig with a guarenteed 60/hr week minimum (my preference if your wondering.. Get in. Get out. Get Paid. Get on with it. :)

[NOTE:In case your a new reader to this site, yes I know I'm going to Hell and its because of this knowledge that forces me to make the most of the nearly (almost 100%, but not quite) sealed in solid granite destiny for punishment. Hey if God can find humor in me enough not to have done the deed already, you can too. I figure while I'm here, I's bests' enjoy it. ;)]

Back to graphics. Web 1.0 was a raster-filled world of fun and joy. Don't get me wrong... Raster images are fine but the future of software development is focused around the "Webability" of an application or object. While "Is is scalable" is now passe' replaced instead with "Why do we need this?" the web has been built on scalability and the foundation isn't going anywhere. While I recognize when your speaking in terms of graphics scalability takes on a completely different meaning than that of a scalable application like email or a web site. But the result is the same. If an image doesn't scale well you'll know pretty quick as the edges will begin to get blurry and the entire image pixelated. Try to make it smaller and the pixelation factor takes over center stage leaving something that looks nothing like the original and even less like something you would want to put on a web site (although, amazingly people still do... yikes!!!)

So what does this have to do with Adobe and Macromedia? EVERYTHING!!! Well, this is part of it. The other part of it is the fact that when the merger into Adobe was announced a few months ago someone on the inside of both companies had to be fairly aware of the "Acrylic" project as this is not exactly the kind of tool you slap together as a weekend eXtreme.NET hacking session. In fact, being of the type who believes that it is best to comment on your feelings towards an app AFTER you install and use it.

[What Netscape fiasco?]
[I have know idea what you're talking about...]
[you're talking CRAAAAZZZZYYYY talk over there on your side of the bit-based lake of pixels.]

Ok fine, I fucked up. There, you happy...? ;) :D

[I swear you're like a girlfriend who has never forgotten one little mistake I've ever made in our entire relationship and takes advantage of every opportunity presented to remind me of "that time when you ..."

You know, I think its time we took a break for a little while. Don't worry, its not you! Its just I need some space. You know, to figure things out [read: I'm gunning for a fling this weekend with this little hotty I met the other day but I'l be back on your doorstep on Monday morning begging for you to take me back.] :D

Back on topic [ADHD? Never heard of it... is that that new band that sings that one song... you know "daa daa da da daaa daaa... YAAA YAAA YAAA YAAA YAAA!"? That one. Huh?

Oh yeah. The point of the post. Ummmmmmm.....

Oh.. Ok, we're back in 5... 4... 3... 2... -->

And its because of this well learned lesson I decided "you know, you should really play with this app and see if its even worth suggesting that its because of the gained knowledge of this app that brought together the shotgun wedding of Adobe and Macromedia."

[Q: In this scenario would it be Adobe that got knocked up or Macromedia? Yeah, your'e right, Macromedia. They've always kinda been Adobe's little weekend 'itch, err bits', err, whatever the vectorally(sp?) correct phrase would be to properly represent someone who is used and abused on a regular basis by someone with more fiscal power and market share than the one being used.]

How have I drawn this conclusion? Well, before MS decided it was time to enter this market again[1] there were two major players in the Graphics arena. Now if Adobe or Macromedia learns of "Acrylic" and they realize that another major player is about to enter their little mini-monopoly... and not just any player. No, Mr. Moneybags himself has decided to take his spot at your little weekly <T> party. Of course Mr. M[bag]$ is a player with a history of passing go whenever he damn well pleases, taking the $200 bucks, and building hotels on all your properties while you keep mortgaging everything you possibly can just to try and save what now has become a small slice of of day old pie thats been sitting uncovered on the counter.[Mmmm... tasty! 8p] With this scenario running through your head, what would you do?

Consolidate NOW! before the <T> party has even started and batten down the hatches for a turf war like none other.[Should be an exciting fight to watch and its you and me who are going to win because of it... :)]

Don't worry. I am FAR from the belief that Adobe has a whole lot to worry in their current market space.

But their current market space is not what I think MS is going after... I mean they take it if they get it I'm sure but theres oh so much more on the other side of the pond my friends...

Getting back to the Scalable Vector Graphics side of this post. Adobe isn't completely settled into this spot meaning theres some room for someone like MS to make some serious headway into the HIGHLY untapped market of vector based graphics development... Or think of it this way. Youve got a group of 5 million VB/VB.NET developers, not too far off that number in VC++ .NET and gaining serious ground is C# who will, without a doubt begin to merge into the space that VC++ is currently hanging onto [and probably will for a few more years at least] but either way it all adds up to 10+ million Windows developers who, if they have ever even opened Photoshop it was by shear accident. But they are enticed by XAML which, suprisingly ;), houses a Vector-based graphics engine that ties into the .NET framework with namespace precision.

Which do you think they might be interested in?

Photoshop?

Illustrator?

Flash?

...or what has proven so for to be a SERIOUS KICK A$$ graphics app if not for all the missing Photoshop-like filters and such(not even close to that level really, but its still early) AND its from the developers of the XAML language in the first place. And as far as the UI and the control of the vector objects and their layout... OH MY!!!! Whoevers in charge of the development of the UI for Acrylic...

I'd like to shake your hand some day as you know EXACTLY what the fuck your doing.

Any bets that "Acrylic" or something like it finds its way into the VS.NET 2005 IDE as a plugin? Please, I would love to take your money so lets lay it on the line and then see whos wallet is bigger about this time next year...? :D

NOTE TO ACRYLIC UI DEVELOPER: While I've only played with it for about 20 minutes can I just say the Ctrl + [{ or }] is flat out MARVELOUS. The whole thing I mean... well, anyway... you obviously know what your doing so please keep at it as I would like to purchase a copy AS SOON AS ITS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE!!!

[1]How "again"? Remember "Image Composer"? While more of a sprite layout and presentation engine it still had some pretty cool features. What ever happend to that project? It just kind of disappeared round about the same time "Liquid... ohhh, what was the name of that Java-based Flash competitor that MS bought with all the promise in the world and yet I dont even think it made a 1.0 release officially. Definitely one of those "what the heck happened here" question mark projects that seemed to just disappear overnight. Liquid... DANG!!! Thats going to bug me until I think of it. Anybody wanna help me out here?]

Yeah, ok... I'm showcasing quite well my ADHD tendencies... sorry!!! :D I'll finish this post eventually. Besides, we all kind of have our ADHD moments, right? Well, maybe me a little ... ok a LOT more than the average person ... but don't forget I grew up with five sisters and dated a girl for five years who had two daughters from a previous marriage so you have to factor all that jabbering "experience" into the equation.

Ever been 33 years old, unmarried (yes, I'm straight... just tired of the games and have my doubts I will ever have the desire to play them again anytime soon... which is JUST what my sisters want to hear, let me tell ya... read a few more sentences and this will make MUCH more sense. Ask Kerry Woolsey... he's met some of my sisters and I know knows exactly what I'm talking about :)), and in a room with 4 older sisters, a Mom, and a younger sister who always took on an older sister role anyway?

And they're all active Mormons!

Hmmmm... yeah, thats TONS of fun! And with 23 nieces and nephews bday partys are (if you do the math) on average, almost every other week... and with major holidays it does average just over every other week... Plenty of time is spent in that exact scenario layed out above. See, it all makes so much sense now, doesnt it? :D ;) I'm glad we had this talk. I feel so much better about things now. Ok, never mind. I don't want time off anymore.

What?

No, I promise I'll change. I'll be just what you want me to be!!! Don't leave!!!

[Ha. :) Oh, I mean, yep, I mean every bit of that!]

Have a fun day!!!