Flash, I think it is also known as Shockwave, is an animation tool produced by Macromedia, Inc.. It is no less than phenomonial. I only know bits and pieces of it, but I'm totally amazed at what I can/have produced with it.

This is not an easy piece of software to use, however animation is not an easy thing to do, but I can't image trying to do it without a tool like this one.

Besides Flash, I have also used 'Fireworks' by Macromedia, Inc., which I can also highly recommend. Fireworks is similar to 'Photoshop' by Adobe, which I never seem to get the hang of. I found Fireworks a much more user friendly product.