...I wish to acquire some sort of free Internet-downloadable program that does the same stuff as Macromedia Flash.

I need this for two reasons. Firstly, I want to create smooth, vector-based non-moving art, and secondly, I want to create animations. I've been learning how to work with Flash in Advanced Web Page Design class, but I can't get my hands on a home copy on account of me being too damn po'. But if there's something out there on the Intar Wub that does the same stuff as Flash (like Gimp mimics Photoshop or Audacity rips off Acid Studio), then I will be fit to roll for the whole summer.

Thanks, guys.

~IJ

http://synfig.com

You're gonna need a lot of ram to use it though. And Pacience.