Adobe returns attention to Flash for Linux
Adobe has resumed work on a Linux version of its Flash Player and plans to catch the software up to its Windows and Mac OS X equivalent, version 9, the company has said.
"Yes, Adobe is actively working on the Linux version of Flash Player 9," said Emmy Huang, Flash product manager, in a May blog posting. "We expect to make a pre-release version available on Adobe Labs for early feedback and testing before the end of the year, with the full release expected in early 2007." A better performance for the Linux version is one goal, as is a consistent experience across different operating systems.
An Adobe developer, Mike Melanson, launched a blog about the Linux Flash work. On Monday, he described the software interfaces he plans on using and asked for input on his choices.
Adobe has revived other desktop utilities before as well. The company skipped version 6 of Adobe Reader but released version 7.
Adobe doesn't release Linux versions of its flagship desktop software products, though. A Novell survey found that Linux users believe Adobe Photoshop is the most important missing desktop application.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
