Software, Fitness, and Gaming – Jesse Warden

Blog

  • File Actions: JSFL stored in FLA’s

    Tony MacDonell @ teknision.com solved a problem he had in his company’s production environment by using a different paradigm for the JSAPI. He gives an example of allowing designers to update FLA’s that contain different versions of video, but I don’t think that effectively conveys how useful it is.

    Certain Commands can be used in a wide-array of situations. His “Open Source Folder” for instance applies to every FLA file I work on that doesn’t already have the folder open in Explorer (or Finder). However, some files have certain JSFL actions that are really only needed for that file, but if those changes could be automated, it would streamline production; in his case, allowing the designers to click a button have both the High and Low quality video’s automatically re-imported without having to manually do it. The other benefits:
    – JSFL saved with file. This makes the code portable; goes with the file. Someone else doesn’t needed the Command installed.
    – JSFL command does not populate the Commands window. Even though the Command window can have sub-menu’s, the content is where it should be; with the file.

    Those are intrinsic. The ones that aren’t so immediately apparent are:
    – code is associated with the file, therefore easier to create and associate with that one file
    – because relationships are created when multiple tasks need to be done on just one file, all scripts can be run together as one

    One I wanted to add is some scripts only apply to one file’s unique situation. Making a full blown command is over kill.

    You’ll still need his “File Actions” tool installed, but it’s an extension, and therefore is easy to install.

    He wants feedback, btw. Remove anti-spam.

    NO-FarFigN00tin|||tony|||SPizz-NAm@teknision.com

    It is one of many examples for his Flash in the Can presentation. If you get a few:

    File Actions – MXP | Examples

    There are help files with the extension, but I couldn’t get them to work in the Panel; they are at the bottom of my Help panel.

  • Contract Drama

    Heard there is a 90% chance I won’t get paid for one of my last contract jobs. Typical. No, I said typical, not cynical; I have the lack of dough to prove it.

    Now, naturally, there is always the 10% I WILL get paid, and her majesty has ordained that I request thrice weekly to be informed of my checks status. At least I’ve made a new contact and friend in the process of dealing with company X. He’s pretty cool… and a designer! w00t!

    I don’t think a contract would of helped in this scenario. The project itself isn’t really a portfolio piece, because it doesn’t work on it’s own; it integrates with an online service that I don’t utilize nor do I intend to. I’ll just use as a teaching tool like I did at my last AtlMMUG meeting, I guess, so there’s the silver lining. It was a good thing I got a decent chunk of dough up front, but man, that’s $3,500 potentially gone… boo hoo…

    …hehe, thank me lucky stars it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Cheers; Here’s to hoping that 10% comes through.

  • Open Source Folder by Teknision

    Couldn’t find this in my archives, so putting it there now.

    Tony MacDonell @ Teknision built this JSAPI + XUL + Window SWF extension that opens up the source folder of the FLA your currently working on. Don’t know if it works on Mac, but on windows, it only works if you don’t have IE open.

    Anyway, I use it all the time. …course, if Chafic could put this feature in his Flash Tray Tools… but I’ve already asked for a feature.

    Open Source Folder

  • Video Conferencing Experience

    I had a client meeting last week with a gent from Maryland. I’m here in Georgia, so that’s a few states away, hundreds of miles. About an 9 hour drive. So, he has me install this web plugin over the phone. Took about 2 minutes to install and then restart the page.

    Next thing I know, I see this program that looks insanely simliar to Central & Breeze. I’ll remember the name tomorrow, but the first thing I asked him was, “Has Macromedia seen this?”. It had the panel on the side, ya know, the Pod holder, and in the center was an app sharing window. The speed at which the software worked was fantastic, including when I utilized Visio on his end.

    It’s very diffucult for me as a developer to really see the point of my labors. It is a labor of love because I love what I do, but my doing isn’t what is important; it’s the user’s experience with what I create. However, if I’m not happy, it shows, and vice versa. Now, most people probably wouldn’t notice the negative, but they stand out like a sore thumb to me. That attitude, however, of truly focusing on technology, ect. makes it very diffucult to see the forrest for the trees without expelling some decent effort to do so. I’m concerned with what I create, and what it “feels” like when it’s done. I know what went into it, and I judge it based on that criteria. Naturally, this is flawed in the business aspect, because just because it’s put together well doesn’t mean it works well. Usage and construction do not go hand in hand. My artist roots cause this discrepancy, so I’m constantly trying to balance both as I consider the construction itself an art, but I’m creating art with a purpose.

    So, every once in awhile, I actually utilize some form of technology that relates to what I do. I know, amazing. It happened once in the past when I utilized a quick Flashcom app I put together using the components with some custom images in the slideshow component to discuss with a client up in Boston the project details we were working on.

    Late at night, huddled in my apartment office at the time, I felt like I had accomplished so much and communicated so well afterwards. It was great to get that much done as well as that much understanding without ever having to leave my chair. It really inspired me to believe in the technology. Last week was just another one of those.

    I think unconciously, I believe in it, as well as the positive remarks I ever so often get sprinkled my way, whether it’s via co-workers postive comments, managers relying user’s reactions, or client’s relaying theirs. However, it’s driven home when you yourself are the one actually experiencing those positive experiences.

    So, coupled with the Microsoft advertising of Live Meeting, the Breeze events at MMUG meetings, Breeze being pushed in Centrals direction ( I pray ) & it’s API along with the AOLIM SDK, I once again believe in Flash’s power to truly bring people together, to actually accomplish true, tangile goals, and facilitate communication. Having the opportunity to create and extend such technologies for people is a great feeling and reminds me and reinforces why I do what I do.