How do I get the api to recognise my map?

I was messing around with the examples in the documentation section and
when I pasted them into my own website, no difference semed to be made.
Where does the javascript say its referencing a map? Can you use these
commands in flash? Pease let me know as soon as possible because it's
part of my college project and I want to have at lest some of it
working by after christmas as this would take the stress off my back.