Dave Winer writes about his first real eureka experience with usability, its a blast from the past - one that will be as true tomorrow as it was yesterday.

DaveNet : A Brief User Interface Manifesto

I remember, as if it were yesterday, my first experience with a user. I had been developing a software product for three years, all the while thinking it was easy to use. A friend who had been listening to me gush about how great it was asked if he could try it. Hesitantly I said yes. I launched the program and we switched seats. I tried to say nothing as he wondered what to do. The software didn't have anything to say. "What should I do?" he asked. I thought to myself "I have some work to do."

Remember, to make good software you have to make good usability! :-)

Wanted to point out a discussion about the "Gonzo marketing related to the Flash community" that has been going on: Gonzo marketing related to the Flash community : comments

Chris - Flazoom:

I hope that Macromedia is learning. I hope that their new blogs will clue them into the demand put on community site owners. Assistance through sponsorships, banner ads or anything else that would help a community site owner would be fantastic to see

Mike Chambers:

We do advertise on community sites (were-here recently had a flash mx countdown ad running), but as jarle noted, online advertising doesn't seem to work for either side.

Aside from outright funding the sites (which is not an option), how can we work to address the concerns your hinted at in your posts?

In general I think we are all looking for a good solution where all parties will gain from the deal. Personally I think that part of the equation is in effect already. People are using their own money and free time to help Macromedia push their products and strengthen the community, Macromedia need to find a way were they can help nurture the community sites with more than just information. At least if they want the community sites to survive.

Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section of the original post.

Partly Flash related, the Java application server JRun has been announced in a new version. Among the news is Flash Remoting. Check out the details on Mike's weblog: Macromedia JRun 4 announced with Flash Remoting support