Adobe Systems plans to open-source Flex, its development framework for building Flash and Apollo-based applications.
The company on Wednesday is expected to announce the move, which will start when it releases a beta of the next version of Flex, code-named Moxie, in June.
By the time Adobe releases the final version of Moxie, which will be called Flex 3, near the end of the year, it expects to have a fully functioning open-source project, company executives said Tuesday. Adobe intends to use the Mozilla Public License.
The company said it will open-source the Flex software development kit, which includes a compiler and libraries designed to speed up development. It plans to continue to sell Flex Builder, an Eclipse-based development tool, and Flex Data Services, server software for accessing corporate databases.
Flex is one of a growing number of alternatives for building so-called rich Internet applications, which sport an interactive front-end interface. Using the development framework, programmers create an application that can run within Adobe’s Flash Player or Apollo, its “player” for desktop applications.
The company chose to create an open-source project for the Flex software to garner good ideas and contributions from developers outside Adobe, said Jeff Whatcott, vice president for product marketing at Adobe’s enterprise and developer business unit.
The move is also meant to appeal to open-source developers who shun closed-source and proprietary products. Adobe already offers the Flex software development kit for free and provides the source code.
“For some people, (open source) is a philosophical requirement, a sign of integrity and trust in a vendor,” Whatcott said. “This will close that gap and address any lingering doubts they have about our openness and commitment to community.”
The company is making the transition to open source now because the Flex technology is mature and there is growing interest among developers and rich Internet application development, Whatcott said.
Adobe will initially provide nightly updates of Moxie code and will publish a bug database when the software goes into beta in June. When it is released near the end of the year, Adobe will be able to accept outside contributions.
The move follows Adobe’s donation last November of its ActionScript virtual machine to the Mozilla Foundation, the makers of the open-source Firefox browser.
Offering free or open-source development tools has become nearly de rigueur for software vendors. Like many companies, Adobe intends to make money via associated software, like higher-end tools and server software.
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Hundreds of Spider-Man fans have greeted the stars of the latest film at its European premiere in London.
Tobey Maguire, 31, who plays Spider-Man, was at the screening in London’s Leicester Square on Monday.
He was joined by many of his fellow stars as he walked down the red-and-black carpet, complete with spider logos.
Some fans – who had queued for hours – wore Spider-Man suits in honour of their favourite superhero.
They were kept entertained by footage from the film, which was broadcast on five giant screens overlooking the square.
And their persistence paid off when Maguire and co-star Kirsten Dunst paused to greet scores of fans, despite a gruelling promotion schedule that will take them around the world.
‘Big event’
The stars were in Japan last Monday for the world premiere, and will fly to Italy on Tuesday for the third of nine premieres.
Maguire, 31, said: “I’m a little tired, but I feel pretty present.
“I’m having a lot of fun, this is a big event, and I’m really proud of this move, so I’m really excited about it.”
In the film, Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man is enjoying life with the beautiful Mary Jane Watson when he discovers a mysterious black suit that enhances his power, but stirs hidden feelings of bitterness and revenge.
Maguire explained it is the darker side of Parker’s personality that comes out in the third instalment.
“Peter Parker has been getting a lot of attention from the public, getting praised, and he is basking in the glory of being Spider-Man,” he explained.
“It turns into a certain level of arrogance and self-importance, which starts him on his journey to a darker side of himself.”
US actress Dunst, who wore a black Rodarte dress, said she was thrilled to be at the screening.
“They [the fans] are so excited here, so it gives me a lot of energy.”
She added that Spider-Man 3 was “the best collaboration of them all.
“There’s a lot of action and drama.”
And she laughed: “I have no complaints about kissing Tobey in the film. He’s a good kisser.”
Passionate
Other stars at the premiere included Rosemary Harris, who plays Aunt Mae, James Franco who plays Harry, and Topher Grace who stars as the villainous Venom.
Grace said he was pleased to be spending time in London.
“This kind of reception is great,” he said, “and it helps when you are so passionate about the work.”
The film cost about £124m to make – rumoured to be the most expensive film ever made.
The original two films, also directed by Sam Raimi, took a joint total of £800m at the box office.
So it was no surprise that speculation over whether the webbed wonder will return for a fourth outing had already begun.
Maguire said he would not rule out appearing as the superhero again.
He said: “I would consider it if the script was right and the right cast was in place.”
Raimi, who was rumoured to want to make the Hobbit instead of another Spider-Man film, said he would like to keep the superhero alive with another movie.
But he would not be drawn on whether it was in the pipeline.
“It’s very exciting to see that so many people are interested in the movie.
“I don’t know what I’m going to be doing next, so I think I’m looking forward to spending a little bit of time with my family.”
The film is released in Japan, China and selected European countries on 1 May and opens in the UK and US on 4 May.
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