Macromedia Flash projectors allow you to launch an application, but not to open a file. Fire-Up solves this issue, but Fire-Up can also open folders, print files and copy / install files and folders to the user's hard disk or network path. All usefull features for which there is no fscommand.

Opening a file (Flash MX or higher)

1. Create a flash movie, save it.
2. Create a folder "fscommand" in the folder containing your flash movie.
   For security reasons, the Flash projector can only open applications which reside in a folder called "fscommand" at the same level as your projector.
   (See Macromedia Flash Technote 14280 for more info on the exec fscommand)
3. Save the file you want to open in the "fscommand" folder, for example "Fire_Up.pdf".
   Another restriction of the exec fscommand is, that it does not allow filename arguments containing dashes (-) or spaces. So don't use any dashes or spaces in your filename.
   For compatibility with Classic, your filename may not exceed 32 characters on Macintosh. That is the filename you're about to give to the Fire-Up application.
4. Copy the Fire-Up application to the "fscommand" folder.
5. Rename the Fire-Up application to "<file to open>.<command>.<extension>"
   e.g. "Fire_Up.pdf.open.exe" on Windows or "Fire_Up.pdf.open.app" on Macintosh.
6. Create a button in your flash movie. Attach the following actionscript to the button:

   on(release){
      var ext;
      if (getVersion().substr(0,3) == "WIN"){
         ext = "exe";
      } else {
         ext = "app";
      }  
      fscommand("exec", "Fire_Up.pdf.open." + ext);
   } 		  		  

   This script first checks if the Flash projector is running on Windows or on Macintosh. Then it issues the exec fscommand, with your file, and adds the appropriate extension.
7. Create a projector from your flash movie. The exec fscommand only works in projectors. If you publish your movie as an swf file or you test your movie in the Flash environment, it won't work.
   

Note for Flash 5 or lower
The exec fscommand in Flash 5 or lower does not look into the "fscommand" folder. You can put the Fire-Up application and the file/folder to open/print/copy in the same folder as the projector.
(See Macromedia Flash Technote 14280 for more info on the exec fscommand)

Printing a file

Same as opening a file, only use the "print" command in the filename and the fscommand.
e.g. "Fire_Up.pdf.print.exe" on Windows or "Fire_Up.pdf.print.app" on Macintosh.

Copying a file

Same as opening a file, only use the "copy" command.
e.g. "Fire_Up.pdf.copy.exe" on Windows or "Fire_Up.pdf.copy.app" on Macintosh.

Opening a folder

Same as opening a file. The folder must be in the "fscommand" folder (for Flash MX or higher projectors). The folder is opened in Windows Explorer or the Finder on Mac.
e.g. "Fire_Up_folder.open.exe" on Windows or "Fire_Up_folder.open.app" on Macintosh.

Copying a folder

Same as copying a file. The folder must be in the "fscommand" folder (for Flash MX or higher projectors). The folder and all of it's contents are copied.
e.g. "Fire_Up_folder.copy.exe" on Windows or "Fire_Up_folder.copy.app" on Macintosh.