Oh, I just rediscovered “old” Macromedia Director MX for doodling creative code. It got me some time to get into the syntax again, but this is so pure fun to code that thing. In opposition to java or c++ the macromedia thing is so loose. There are many ways to archieve things with various syntax. For example: “set the forecolor of sprite 12 to 155″ is the same like “sprite(12).forecolor = 155″. This Director is friendly to you and also has charming limitations: you can for example only draw 255 layers of single objects. On the other hand you can generate very quickly pixel or vector-objects and use them to draw or modify them on the fly. I don’t want to glorify this piece of software here, but the feeling I got in using this software again is very charming to me. I don’t care about software version here. I even don’t know of there is a newer version of Director available. I am talking about emotional value to a tool I’ve made a choice for.

Incredibly old software?

What I love most is the fact, that the will be no new update, no new things to learn, no new interfaces. Using old versions drives this thoughts into my mind: there is nothing more to expect. You have to live with the limitations. You have to get creative to find workarounds instead of waiting for new features to come. Finally you have to go through all of the software and master it. You will be an expert with your tool if you use is year after year. It is just like a master craftsmen able to work with plane and wood. And at least: using old softwareversion relief you from the fear of new updates to come. Updates not always makes the product better.