Flex platform under a Mozilla Public License

Just got this from Techcrunch
Adobe have announced tonight, via Robert Scoble and the ScobleShow that they are opening up the Flex platform under a Mozilla Public License (anOpen Source license). Flex is a group of technologies (much similar to .NET or J2EE etc.) that provides a more programmer-friendly development environment for Flash, rather than a graphics-driven environment that Flash was associated with.

Previously the source code to the ActionScript components in the Flash SDK were available, and from tonights release Adobe will also open source other components of the SDK such as the compiler, debugger (written in Java) and the class libraries. When compared to other development platforms, Flash/Flex has always been more closed and controlled than other alternatives, while a few open source projects have attempted to reverse engineer parts of it (although the server components aren’t being opened up). The schedule is that the development community and all code will be available by the end of the year, and while having code is great, the better part is that Adobe will be putting all their weight behind the open source projects with developers, support etc. (something you might expect them to do).

This announcement can be taken out of context, and it is important to understand that Adobe are opening up tools that help developers build applications - the runtime will remain closed (Flash itself). I actually can’t imagine a platform being able to survive *without* all the developer tools and class libraries being completely open, and perhaps this is what has spurred Adobe to open up Flex. If you look at other popular development platforms such as even Win32, the analogous tools to Flex have usually always been open or at least accessible, as it greatly assists developers.

Adobe are opening up part of their ecosystem, which is great, but don’t hold your breath for an open source Flash runtime anytime soon (unlike Java). If you are a Flex developer, this is great news for you, as you will now be able to dig a bit deeper and contribute to the tools such as the compiler and debugger - but this announcement will definitely be met with calls of ‘not enough’ from the open source community and those waiting for a fully open and cross platform rich application platform from Adobe.

Apollo Training

per Mr. Forta's blog.

What's Your Process?

I'm always fascinated in hearing how others approach the design of a website. Here is a good example I found while surfing.

http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web_design_process.cfm

Feel free to post about your process, or better yet - get in touch with Misty and present about the process and the tools you use to the group!

London Flash Platform User Group

I happened on the London Flash Platform User Group site just a few minutes ago. They have a number of their presentations online to view. Sweet! While I'm writing this, I'm watching an Introduction to Flash 9 Actionscript presentation. There is a link for the slides used in the presentation, and a link for getting a Flash 9 Actionscript preview from Adobe.

Their site is well worth looking through!

The Write Stuff

An Adobes trade publication is in search for writers to fill content for their next issues. They are looking for fresh material for the following topics:

€ Studio (Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Etc.)
€ Creative Suite (Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrator, Etc.)
€ Flex
€ Contribute
€ Acrobat
€ LiveCycle
€ Flash Lite
€ ColdFusion

They offer $100 per article, so this is a great opportunity. If it sounds like somthing you would be interested in, please email Louis Cuffari at cuffari@sys-con.com.

Information on the magazine can be found at http://webddj.sys-con.com/. The magazine is available in both print and web format.

Flex 2 Training DVD

Our friends / sponsor Total Training has created a new Flex 2 Training DVD. This is money well spent.

http://www.totaltraining.com/prod/web/flex2_ria.asp

IFBIN - Flash and Flex by Example

IFBIN - http://www.ifbin.com/

Is now open and free!! There is a client install and you can then download and use Flash and Flex example applications and code for use in your commercial or non-commercial applications.

This service used to be a pay service - but now it's open and free!

You can read more here:

http://www.ifbin.com/news/

Happy Birthday!!

We will be holding a birthday party for Flash this month. Keep updated by checking out this blog and the FlashFocused website!

Under new management and Flash best practices

As you have probably seen already, Jason Nadon has stepped down from the group manager position and left me in charge. I look forward to our next meeting on July 31st where we will discuss the future of the group, network and take nominations for some Board openings we have.

Also:

Flash 8 Best Practices
Get the best practices for organizing and structuring your Flash files, maintaining version control, optimizing for output, and making the best use of behaviors, screens, and video.

Adobe profit hit by Macromedia costs

I saw this article today and thought I would share it...

Adobe also announced that its president of worldwide field operations, Stephen Elop, would leave at the end of the fiscal year. Elop, the former chief executive of Macromedia, is responsible for the company's global sales operations.

Choose a topic...

We're now scheduling the meeting topics and speakers for the second half of the year. This is your chance to let us know what you'd like to learn about, or who you would like to see present for the group.

Some members have already told me their interest in learning more about:

- Flash Video
- Flex

This is your chance to choose a topic for an upcoming meeting.

Let's the comments begin!

Last Night's Meeting Recorded..

We recorded the meeting last night, you can watch it at your leisure here:

http://adobechats.breezecentral.com/p17586297/

Watch for a new format called mini-meetings that we'll be having bi-weekly that will focus on more specific areas within products included in the Flash Platform. These meetings will be held using our Breeze account and should be a great opportunity to share resources and knowledge.

Adobe Developer Week

Adobe Developer Week

Be our guest at a week of free online seminars exclusively for developers!

Learn about the Adobe Engagement Platform, including Flex, LiveCycle, and other Adobe technologies, during Adobe Developer Week. This free, week-long event features live, online sessions presented by Adobe technology experts. See live demos and have your questions answered by the experts during interactive Q&A sessions.

Featured Sessions Include:

Keynote session on the Adobe Engagement Platform
Building Applications with Flex Builder 2
ColdFusion as a Flex Back End
Building Applications with Adobe LiveCycle and Flex
ActionScript 3 for Flash & RIA Developers
Plus 10 additional sessions
For maximum flexibility, you need only register for the individual sessions that fit your needs. Don't miss this must-attend developer event. link to register

The Adobe Engagement Platform
Presenter: Todd Hay - Director, Platform Marketing & Developer Relations

Built around Adobe PDF, Adobe Flash, and HTML technology at its core, the Adobe Engagement Platform blends the strengths of Adobe technologies and open standards to provide a versatile foundation for extending the reach of information, processes, and services to customers, partners, and employees anytime, anywhere, and in any medium. Attendees will learn about the technologies that make up the Engagement Platform, as well as understand how Adobe technologies can be used together to create intuitive, rich content, documents and applications.

Building ColdFusion Powered Flex Applications
Presenter: Ben Forta - Sr. Technical Evangelist

Flex revolutionized the client side of your application, but what to use on the backend? Discover how ColdFusion 7 and Flex 2 have been built to complement each other, via Flash Remoting, Flex Data Services and ColdFusion event gateways, Flex Builder plug ins, and more.

ActionScript 3.0 for Flash & RIA Developers
Presenters: Emmy Huang - Product Manager & Gary Grossman - Principal Scientist

ActionScript is the primary programming language of Flash and Flex. If you're new to ActionScript 3.0, discover how this important update further advances the language to offer developers a fully object-oriented programming model, increased performance, and new language features for the next generation of rich internet applications.

Flex and Ajax - Better Together
June 16, 2006 | ColdFusion App Developer, Community, Flash App Developer, Internet Application Architect, IS/IT Manager, Java App Developer, .NET/ASP App Developer, Web Application Developer

Presenter:James Ward - Systems Engineer & Jorge Taylor, Manager, Engineering

In this session you will learn how to use Adobe's tools and AJAX together to easily build new rich web pages or enhance old ones. Or, take it beyond the web page and easily build rich web applications using the Flex framework, Eclipse based IDE, and server components. You will also learn how to easily build RIAs which connect to SOAP and RESTful web services.

Meeting tonight

Hi All,

Just a reminder that there is a meeting tonight at the WCC in Room BE 240 from 6:00 – 8:00pm.

R Blank will be giving a presentation on the E! The Vine application that his company created. You can read more about R at his website – http://www.almerblank.com

You’ll have the chance to tune into the meeting tonight with us at WCC or from the comfort of your own home / better internet connection.

Below is the Breeze Meeting URL, login as guest. I won’t be in the meeting room until around 6:15.

http://adobechats.breezecentral.com/r33524236/

Submit your work for the Adobe Customer Reel

Submit your work for the 2006 Adobe Customer Reel by June 30. http://www.adobe.com/motion/customerreel.html

Adobe invites you to submit your work for possible inclusion in the 2006 Adobe Digital Video and Audio Customer Reel! This is a chance to showcase the work you produce using Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Encore DVD, Adobe Audition, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other Adobe products! We want to see your work and show it to others in the industry so they can see how creative our users are—and see the possibilities of Adobe's Digital Video and Audio products.

Adobe plans to introduce the reel at SIGGRAPH in Boston this August. Over the next year Adobe will also present the reel at tradeshows, seminars and industry events worldwide. This reel also proudly plays in the lobby of Adobe's headquarters—reminding all that some of the coolest products at Adobe are the ones that make images move.

If you are able to grant us the additional right to distribute your materials as part of the Reel for the purpose of promoting Adobe products and services, your work may reach an even wider audience! To be included in versions of the Reel that are played on the Adobe web site and shared with customers and partners, be sure to check the option on the last page of the Non-Exclusive License Agreement.

NTSC Beta SP is our preferred format, but we can also accept Digibeta, miniDV, miniDV (DV, HDV, or HD), and uncompressed movie files (QuickTime and AVI) on data DVDs. We cannot accept PAL, and would prefer to use authored DVDs only if no other option is available, as compression means the finished quality will be less than ideal. This year, we plan to produce the reel in 16:9 format as well as 4:3, so if you have both options available, please send them both to us.

Please tell us which Adobe products you used and a little about the project(s) you’re submitting by filling out the contact sheet. If your work has audio, please make sure that you have the rights for Adobe to use the audio or indicate that we need to use copyright free music.

To submit your work:

1) Print and fill out the Contact Infosheet: http://www.adobe.com/motion/pdfs/2006_dvreel_contactinfo.pdf.

2) Print and complete 2 copies of the Non-Exclusive License: http://www.adobe.com/motion/pdfs/2006_dvreel_license_agreement.pdf

3) Send your reel, both copies of the Non-Exclusive License (one copy will be sent back to you), and the Contact Info sheet to:

Attn: Adobe Customer Reel

Meredith Yeary

Adobe Systems, Inc.

801 North 34th St.

Seattle, WA 98103

We can't guarantee that your work will be included but we make every effort to include as broad a range of work as possible. Submissions in past years have come from Istanbul, New York, Tokyo, LA, Paris, Poland and virtually everywhere in between, and have represented everything from experimental films and self-promotions to commercials, broadcast graphics, and film compositing projects. We’d love to see what you’ve been working on, so please send your reel to us!

If you have any questions, please email us at customerreel@adobe.com.

Remember, the submission deadline is June 30. Thanks again for your support!

Sincerely,

The Adobe Digital Video and Audio Product Teams

Photoshop Sout 2 Nuts at WCC

Info at:
http://photoshopsoup2nuts.com/content/blogcategory/38/101/

ITEC Exhibition and Conference

Detroit, May 24 - 25, 2006
Rock Financial Showplace

Register Today for a Free Pass to ITEC

ITEC - the nations largest series of regional information technology events is coming to you May 24-25 at the Rock Financial Showplace.

Register today for your Free Exhibits Pass to see the latest IT products and solutions. Or register for ITEC's SolutionBuilder Conference for insight into your most immediate IT concerns.

Go to www.goitec.com/det/and use Priority Code: REXDEA to register online or get more information.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The All-New SolutionBuilder Conference Program
After extensive research into the information needs of ITEC attendees, we are pleased to launch the ITEC SolutionBuilder Conference.

The program is organized into six individual courses filled with detailed content and realistic advice. No fluff, no filler and no sales pitches. Tools you can use ... and results you can see - right away.

Select the topics that interest you most by registering for specific courses. Or, register for the entire 2006 ITEC SolutionBuilder conference and attend any of the sessions in any of the courses.

Go to www.goitec.com/det/education/for full program information.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEC Insight Sessions
Expert Insight: The 5 Technology Trends You Can't Ignore
You'll learn which technologies are the top contenders to be the latest must-have choices. And we'll also identify those that are probably destined for tomorrow's waste bins.

Presenter: Dan Shoemaker , Professor and Chair, Computer and Information Systems, University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit Insight: Information Security Roundtable
Must-know information technology security priorities for 2006 will be discussed by local IT security professionals in this informative panel. You'll hear how local InfoSec professionals prioritize information security for their technology infrastructures and drive the adoption of best practices.

Presenter: Alex Goldstein , Secretary, ISSA - Motor City Chapter

For information, go to www.goitec.com/det/keynotes/


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Register Today for your FREE Exhibits Pass (a $50 value) to:

Compare the capabilities of more than 50 leading vendors from the Detroit area and beyond.

Attend any of the Vendor Strategy sessions in the special on-floor theaters
Get up-to-date on the most current trends in the two new ITEC Insight sessions
Upgrade your registration to include the all-new ITEC SolutionBuilder Conference program for $200 or less.


Register online at www.goITEC.com/reg/det/ and enter Priority Code: REXDEA


Pick Your Conference Pass Option!

Or Apply for a Free Exhibits Pass
(worth $50)

Register Today! - www.goITEC.com/reg/det
Priority Code: REXDEA

ITEC is the best opportunity for you to experience the IT products and solutions you need for your business, to meet directly with prospective providers, ask specific questions and compare vendors' customer relationship approaches.

View a current list of exhibitors at www.goITEC.com!

Yahoo Maps: Flash AS API

Have you thought about adding map content to a website project that you're working on?

If so, you might find this useful. It's the Getting Started Guide for using the ActionScript API for Yahoo Maps Web Services.

http://com2.devnet.scd.yahoo.com/maps/flash/asGettingStarted.html

If you have done some work with map applications / GPS applications with Flash, let us know - it might make the perfect group presentation.

Feeling the need for Certification?

Our next meeting will focus on Adobe Certification and the different certifications available. We'll talk about the product certification tracks and the benefit from certification. If you've ever wondered what certification was all about or how to get certified, definitely come on out on April 24th.

If you're already certified in any technical product or specialty, come on out and share your experience.

Adobe has donated a free exam voucher to be raffled off at this meeting. ($150 value)

Hope to see you there.

Flash Player 7 for Pocket PC

It's out - it's ready - get rockin'...
download