RIA? AIR? I think you have a typo in your definition. No, thanks, I don’t. Okay, let’s backup a little.

AIR is the code name for a cross-operating system runtime being developed by Adobe that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax) to build and deploy rich Internet applications (RIA) to the desktop. Thus, it allows web developers to work with the development tools of their choice and the approaches they find most comfortable to build web content and AIR applications.

Originally called Apollo, Adobe AIR has been increasing its utility since it was released in beta back in 2007, and now anyone with even a little knowledge of programming and a little patience can create Adobe AIR Rich Internet Applications (RIA).

The AIR runtime bridges the Web-based user experience and the rich, highly sophisticated user experience in modern desktop-applications. AIR applications can operate offline and can take advantage of additional functionality when connected to the Internet. These applications run on the AIR runtime, and it is delivered to end-users in  single packages (file extension .air) rendered using the WebKit HTML engine.

As at January 2009, there were at least  100 million people infected for good with Adoberia (this was a count of successful initial installations, and so installations that were successful after the initial attempt have not been included in the statistics). One of the reasons for this very fast growth is the seamless way the AIR install badge detects the presence of the AIR runtime. If present, the AIR application is installed, but if absent, the runtime is installed first of all (it’s a one-time installation). This initial runtime download provides Adobe with such statistics as are presented above.

Okay, how can I catch the Adoberia? Like most other lovely things on the internet, there are very many resources like blog posts and tutorials  [if you want to learn how to use AIR, get your hands dirty and make a cool AIR application to impress your significant friend(s)] and applications (in case you’re like many of us and you just want to get addicted right away).

Resources, Blogs, Forums, Tutorials, AIR app downloads….causes of Adoberia

Download the latest version of AIR (you will be asked what Operating System you are using)

• Official Adobe Air development center
• Official Adobe AIR Cookbook
• Official Adobe Air Forums
• Introduction to Adobe Air
• Build your first Adobe AIR App
• AIR 101 tutorials
• AIR Beginner Tutorials: Publishing an Application
• Create an AIR To-do List in Five Minutes Using JavaScript and AJAX
• Themes and Skins for your AIR apps
• Flash Applications for Use in the Browser and AIR using “factory pattern” programming
• Sean Moore’s 7-page Long AIR cheat sheet
• 25 Excellent And Useful Adobe AIR Tutorials and Resources
• Tech labs blog: with numerous tutorials related to Adobe Air, Flash and Flex.
• Building an Adobe Air application with Flex
• Refreshing Apps: Adobe AIR application showcase and resources for all levels
• 60+ useful Adobe AIR applications you should know
• Eight (8) Adobe AIR apps that don’t suck (Trust me, some AIR apps do!)
• Lifehacker: Top 10 apps worth installing Adobe AIR for
• 27 Adobe AIR applications, handy for Web designers
• 101 Adobe AIR resources to add to your toolbelt of awesomeness
• Adobe AIR Javascript Developers’ Pocket Guide
• AIR Examples
• An Introduction To AIR on Linux
• Adobe AIR for Linux Sample Applications
• Developing AIR in Flash CS3 Professional (Video Tutorial)
• Embedding a Browser in Flex 3 (Video tutorial)

The following are just some of the AIR apps I have used (Yeah, I’m also infected with Adoberia. In fact, it’s the reason I’m writing this article):

• Airtube (simple Flash CS3 AIR app for downloading Youtube videos)
• Airtalkr (desktop IM for AOL, ICQ, Yahoo!, Windows Live & Google)
• Doomi (a to-do list manager)
• eBay Desktop (eBay, start trading right on your desktop!)
• Facedesk (Run facebook entirely from your desktop, no browsers)
• Feedalizr (Life-streaming app for twitter, Facebook, and other social media)
• FineTune Desktop (keeps track of your favorite music from Finetune.com)
• (I got tired of checking out the manufacturer sites because I had already saved the apps to my PC, so i will list the others, you can Google them up: )

• FLVPlay (plays FLV videos)
• GeeMail (GMail client)
• GMDesk (Google client: GMail, Calendars, etc)
• Icon Generator (Creates a fast simple web 2.0 icon set)
• Mini Task (Another task list manager / scheduler)
• Snackr (coll ticker-style RSS aggregator)
• Snippet Manager (organizes your code snippets)
• SuDoQ (The Sudoku game on AIR)
• TimeTracker (A very useful time management app)
• Universal Inbox (Easier to find all your messages and PC files in this “inbox.”)

And just in case you are not satisfied with what you find at any of the above-listed resource sites, you can also visit the Adobe AIR Marketplace, a Beta central resource launched on the 9th of February 2009 that allows developers to make their applications available to millions of potential users and makes it easy for consumers to find them. I got a number of free apps there as well.

Who knows? You may even be able to get a marketplace developer to create a custom romantic application that will finally make your girl agree to marry you

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