What tool can be used to create Flash based applications, animations, games, etc?

Adobe Flash CS4 or CS3.... or older version from Macromedia..

or SWiSH Max...

But I'm warning you if you really want to learn it you should start with ActionScript 3.0 not 2.0... 2.0 is a bit easier and a lot of us still use it.. but it's getting messy out there on the internet...

Going from AS 2.0 to 3.0 is confusing.
Lots of things that work in older flash suddenly stopped working.

A lot of tricks in MX no longer works in CS.

So far, I think CS is making me work extra hard to make the same result.

Masking completely broke to me.

^^ masking? hell man... the new tweens in CS4 is confusing me... do not like! *hugs classic tween*

Masking alone frustrate me enough. I didn't even get around to tweening.
Maybe I should just stick with the older version.

What about using Eclipse with necessary plugins?

I don't want to pay $700 for CS4, at least that's what it looks like it costs from Adobe.

Hmmm... I just looked at that.. and I'll say: NO...

Swish Max is a cheaper option.. but Adobe Flash CS is the way to go... try to find a cheap Macromedia flash 8 or MX 2004 version... Or try to find a student to buy it for you... students and teachers get a lot of discount.. I got the complete Adobe Package at €40 cause I'm a teacher.. :)

don't forget to try the demo!

If you're completely new to flash, though. I guess it's a good idea to jump directly into CS and use AS3.0 from the start so you don't get confused with the older style.

The newer stuff supposedly be better than the old ones. They are all OOP and... something.

You can get it for like... 200 hundred - 150 if you buy it from a college bookstore.

pay? who said buy it?