What's the difference between the two? I'm confused. I'm considering learning computer programming, and think maybe starting off with writing interactives would be a good start, since I'm a graphics-natural. I could use some advice! Please tell me about these two programs and tell me what you also think of programming.

Macromedia, who made both confused the issue so I'm not surprised you're confused. I finally got the hang of it when I started playing with Director. Flash exports in the .swf format but by convention uses the Flash name. Director exports in the .dir format but again by convention uses the shockwave name for it's files. Flash confuses everything by saving it's own files under the fla extension which isn't the one used for the web. It's getting even more confusing now that Director is exporting in the shockwave 3d format and needs .w3d files to import. Flash (that's the files with the .swf extension) produces files mainly for export to the web and these are the ones you'll find all over the place, Director creates files which are mostly used for CD production like the ones you'll find on the front of magazines like Computer Arts. There's some crossover between the two because Director and Flash both create standalone .exe files and Director can use Flash in it's construction. If you want to know more you could try www.macromedia.com or come over to my list flash_erotica@yahoogroups.com you'll find it under computer animation on Yahoo Groups. Neither of these programs are easy to start with, although Flash might be the easier of the two. Both use an element of programming but this wouldn't be necessary until you became well acquainted with the programs. As to actual programming, I'm graphics based too and haven't really felt the need to go much further than a bit of action scripting in Flash, yet I can still do all I need to to get my animations on the net complete with the interactivity that Flash gives. If you join my group there are some downloads on the home page that give you an idea of what's possible. Thumb to kink of it, you could do a search for me here I've got some Flash stuff hidden away.

Thanks, saxon! I'll drop by your group soon. So I guess that's what Encarta uses!