The latest version of Flex is now in beta and you can download it from Adobe labs for free.  Instead of calling it Flex Builder, they are now calling it Flash Builder.  The framework is still called Flex.  Anyway, download it and be sure to watch the videos that tell you what is new in this version.

Download: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashbuilder4/

This is interesting. I'm not quite sure what it is yet, but it appears that Adobe is offering the beta version of a service that will let developers add social networking functionality to their Flash and Flex apps with ease. Check out the link if you are interested...

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/afcs/

If you are interested in getting more involved in the local Flex scene, be sure to visit http://groups.adobe.com/.  Sign in and then do a search for Dallas.  You'll see D-Flex.  Just click on it and then join the group.  Also, remember that you can always go to the regular site which is http://d-flex.org.

Hey Everybody!!!

I just wanted to remind everyone that the last day to register for Tex-Flex is tomorrow.  I know both Jason Fincanon and I are going.  I hope to see some other people from DFWAUG there as well. It is an Adobe endorsed event and we need to show our support.  See you there!

Register here >>

Need help with something FLEX related? Try out the Beta version of Adobe's new community help site. It pulls info from everywhere including the Blog-o-sphere.

http://community.adobe.com/ion/search.html?q=&lbl=flex_product_adobelr&x=0&y=0

There hasn't been too much going on in the world of Flex since the release of version 3. However, application development is moving at a raging pace right now and if you are trying to see what kinds of apps are being developed in Flex, be sure to check out the Flex Showcase.

As part of the AIR prerelease program, Adobe has finally given Linux users a version of the Adobe Integrated Runtime to call their own. I would assume that this will be made available to the general public very soon.

I attended last night's Flex user's group meeting.  Gene and Fincanon were also there.  I found it very enlightening.  They spoke about the latest news in regards to Flex 3 and AIR.  I'll post some specific highlights soon. In the meantime, check out  D-Flex.

&tBoth AIR and Flex have moved into the next stage of their Beta.  If you are part of the PreRelease program you can download the new drops.;p> If you happened to have built an AIR app, you will need to update it's code base for it to run with the newly released AIR Beta 2.  You find instructions for updating your AIR app here: AIR BETA 1 to BETA 2 Update Instructions 

Ok, so the most important piece to the Flex puzzle is an authoring tool.  There are actually multiple ways to build a Flex project, but I highly recommend using Flex Builder by Adobe.  It is based on the Eclipse framework and a trial version can be downloaded for free from Adobe Labs.  So, go download the trial and be sure to read all of the installation "what if's" and "how to's" on the download page before you install it.