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| [Sat Aug 10 10:02:14 CDT 2002] Steve: lumpy <Steve> Boo :-~ [Sat Aug 10 10:07:14 CDT 2002] Gary Pence: Just a young guy in Texas using Authorware. <Steve> Hey Gary <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Gary <Gary Pence> hey, how's it going? [Sat Aug 10 10:07:48 CDT 2002] -: - <Amy Blankenship> We're trying to get Joshua into the chat room <Amy Blankenship> Hi, - <Steve> an interesting name. Is it Arabic? <Amy Blankenship> :) <Steve> s'gone :-D <Amy Blankenship> gone now [Sat Aug 10 10:08:34 CDT 2002] Gary Olson has no profile. <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Gary <Steve> Maybe it was Gary O :p <Gary Olson> Good morning Amy, Steve and Gary P <Steve> Good morning? It's almost dinner time <Amy Blankenship> You're just showing off cause you are in England <Steve> I need to duck out for one minute to refresh my Internet connection ... <Steve> :D <Steve> Me <Steve> Show off? <Steve> BRB [Sat Aug 10 10:10:16 CDT 2002] Graeme: graemeb@yahoo.com <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Graeme <Graeme> Hi all [Sat Aug 10 10:10:43 CDT 2002] Ken Hubble: New starter [Sat Aug 10 10:10:48 CDT 2002] Steve: lumpy <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Ken <Amy Blankenship> Welcome back, lumpy <Steve> oops - should use my full name :-) <Amy Blankenship> :) <Gary Olson> Hello Ken and Graeme [Sat Aug 10 10:11:24 CDT 2002] Steve Howard: Kinda square and lumpy ;-) <Steve Howard> Hey there boyz and girlz <Amy Blankenship> Joshua is trying frantically to get into the chat room <Amy Blankenship> he can't seem to get it to let him see all of us <Steve Howard> Any chance of hi connecting directly to the net, not through a router?# [Sat Aug 10 10:13:17 CDT 2002] Barbara Brown: Illinois <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Barbara <Steve Howard> Hey Barbara :D <Barbara Brown> Hello All <Amy Blankenship> we are working to get our guest chatter into the room <Steve Howard> Barbara did you not help a couple of people get into the chat one time? Do you remember what the solution was? <Barbara Brown> Not me. I just knew that some couldn't get in. They switched computers. <Steve Howard> :-( <Steve Howard> Maybe Joshua should dig out his old 486 :-) <Amy Blankenship> LOL <Amy Blankenship> He is disconnecting from his router and will try a direct connection <Amy Blankenship> OK, quick survey: who here has ever put Flash in Authorware? <Steve Howard> Ken, since we haven't started yet, I have to ask ----- Have you a telescope? ;-) <Steve Howard> Me <Gary Olson> Not I <Graeme> Not I <Amy Blankenship> Steve you are bad <Barbara Brown> I have <Steve Howard> I am }:-) <Amy Blankenship> I've done it just once, for effect...nothing as interesting as communicating with it <Barbara Brown> I've done both <Amy Blankenship> So, Steve and Barbara will be our de facto experts until Joshua arrives ;-) <Steve Howard> Cool ... I a expurt :-D [Sat Aug 10 10:17:38 CDT 2002] Gary: just a young guy in Texas who uses Authorware [Sat Aug 10 10:17:39 CDT 2002] David: Michigan USA <Barbara Brown> I had a contract where most of the interaction was done in Flash and it was put in an AW wrapper. <Amy Blankenship> Hi, David <David> hello <Amy Blankenship> Barbara, that sounds like fun <Barbara Brown> It was quite a project. <Amy Blankenship> my need for Flash has been pretty limited <Gary> Gary Pence is no longer a valid user <Ken Hubble> Haven't inherited the brains (no relation) I regret <Steve Howard> I saw a piece where that had been taken to extremes - there were dozens of pages with flash sprites in. Nothing else. You have to wonder... <Amy Blankenship> My spelling seems to be every bit as good as Steve's today <Barbara Brown> My opening logo for all my games is a Flash piece. [Sat Aug 10 10:19:11 CDT 2002] Michael Mizen has no profile. <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Mike <Barbara Brown> Hi Michael <Amy Blankenship> BTW, Mike you are head of the guest list for when we do cross platform delivery <Amy Blankenship> Barbara, what do you find to be the biggest stumbling block for newbies when they integrate Flash <Barbara Brown> Learning how to control it once it's passed something to AW or when it's done. Learning about GetSprite, etc. [Sat Aug 10 10:21:20 CDT 2002] Jeff August: AW developer creeping out of beginner status <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Jeff <Jeff August> Hi Amy Thanks for the invite <Amy Blankenship> No prob :-) <Graeme> I'm totally new to putting Flash into AW, but not new to AW <Steve Howard> seems to me that the toughest job for people wanting to insert Flash in Authorware is figuring out where Macromedia chose to hide the help files <Michael Mizen> Amen to Barbara's comment-controls,controls <Amy Blankenship> Anyone here who is currently trying to integrate Flash for the first time? <Jeff August> Yes <Graeme> Yes, I am a first timer. <Amy Blankenship> Do you know where the Flash Help files are? <David> 3rd timer <Amy Blankenship> ;-) <Graeme> no, I'd assume with flash somewhere <Steve Howard> Hands up who knows how to get to the Asset Xtra help files <Barbara Brown> Are you referring to Help files within Flash or within AW? <Amy Blankenship> The asset Xtra help files <Graeme> no idea [Sat Aug 10 10:23:59 CDT 2002] Pam Rockx: Instructional Designer/Developer of Multimedia Elearning & NVAUG leader <Gary Olson> no clue <Amy Blankenship> Hi Pam <Gary> no idea either <Amy Blankenship> Welcome <David> in the help folder <Steve Howard> EXACTLY my point <David> in the Xtras folder <Amy Blankenship> Steve, you started that one...where are the Help files <Steve Howard> If you go to the normal Help they are not there <David> Xtras <Pam Rockx> Hi Amy & everyone <Steve Howard> if you go to the Help folder they are not there <David> hello Pam <Michael Mizen> but the real question is can a GUI be constructed to simplify controlling flash. Like the old movie icon from days of yore <Steve Howard> Easiest way to get them ... Insert > Media > Flash ... Press the help button on the window that opens <Gary> that's what I do <Amy Blankenship> Mike, do you mean like a new icon, or like a KO or something? <Steve Howard> or if you have a sprite on the flowline, you need to open the properties page for the flash Asset and press the Help button <David> Xtras /flashasset/help <Amy Blankenship> Of the people here who use Flash, how many use the Asset Xtra, and how many use the ActiveX? <Michael Mizen> director/flash users are comfortable with sprite syntax. AWARE users are in a mixed camp of expecting neater control mechanisms although I submit the profile of our users is probably more skewed to folks working within a calc icon versus those who do not use this as much(AKA AWARE games at TAAC) <Barbara Brown> I use the Asset Xtra <David> Asset <Pam Rockx> I use the Asset Xtra. <Steve Howard> Asses Xtra [Sat Aug 10 10:27:20 CDT 2002] Graeme: graemeb@yahoo.com <Michael Mizen> asset Xtra if I use it; <Amy Blankenship> So, is that because the Asset Xtra is easier to use? <Gary> asset <Michael Mizen> yes <Steve Howard> Michael you are probably right about the experienced developers - but the inexperienced are a different cup of stew <Barbara Brown> I think so. I'm not real good at ActiveX <Steve Howard> easier to distribute too <Gary> transparency--5.2 <David> better defined than ActiveX <Barbara Brown> Are there any advantages to ActiveX? <Michael Mizen> that is my point; what is present now is OK but needs improvement <Steve Howard> your users do not have to have the right player for the Asset Xtra - the Xtra IS the player <Amy Blankenship> Mike, are you thinking we should ask MM for a new Icon? <Steve Howard> The Asset Xtra allows transparency and layering, but does not allow things like LoadMovie <Steve Howard> The ActiveX allows streaming, but no transparency or layering <Gary> it was built for flash 4? <David> transparency is a must for my uses <Amy Blankenship> The most recent supports up to Flash 5, I think <Steve Howard> Gary what was built for Flash 4? <Gary> right, for Authorware 6 right? <Gary> the flash asset, it was a question <Amy Blankenship> Gary: I think 5.2 had a Flash 5 Xtra <Steve Howard> Asset Xtra in 5.0 = Flash 2 <Gary> hmmm <Steve Howard> Asset Xtra in 5.1 = Flash 4 <Steve Howard> Asset Xtra in 5.2 and 6.0 = Flash 5 <Gary> thanks for carency <Steve Howard> OK :-) <Graeme> So do you need this asset Xtra to incorporate Flash into AW? <Gary> clarency <Steve Howard> Need? No you could use the ActiveX control <Amy Blankenship> Graeme: you can also use the Flash player as an ActiveX control <Amy Blankenship> but that means the user must have the Flash player [Sat Aug 10 10:32:10 CDT 2002] Michael R. Mizen has no profile. <Michael R. Mizen> I'm back <Gary Olson> What about preloading? <Amy Blankenship> BTW, folks, don't try to surf with the page that opened this window <Steve Howard> The Asset Xtra gives NATIVE support for flash, without ANY external assistance. That is the biggest difference between Asset Xtra and ActiveX <David> keep getting popups <Amy Blankenship> Without any external assistance other than an Xtra ;) <Barbara Brown> Adding the Flash Xtra is no biggie, just move it into the Xtras folder. Of if you use OBP it does it for you. <Amy Blankenship> I know, David. I am moving soon to an Authorware only chat room <Amy Blankenship> the popups are a price I pay for this service <Amy Blankenship> sorry bout that <Steve Howard> sure, but no need to ensure your users have ActiveX support, no need to ensure your users have the appropriate version of the Flash player <David> ya the spammers <David> who buys that stuff <Amy Blankenship> I always close it before I read the window <Steve Howard> I don't get the popups ... I think I figured out how to suppress most of them a while ago ... but I forget what I did :o <Michael R. Mizen> Minimize everything but the chat window <Steve Howard> Oh, one more very important thing. The Asset Xtra gives cross-platform support. You cannot use the ActiveX control on a Mac [Sat Aug 10 10:35:58 CDT 2002] Greg Boudreaux: FedEx <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Greg <Amy Blankenship> welcome!!! <Greg Boudreaux> hello Amy <Greg Boudreaux> and all <Greg Boudreaux> Sorry I am a little late <Amy Blankenship> The Cross platform delivery chat will be in a few weeks ;-) <Michael R. Mizen> I did not invent this statement but it comes to pass that any technology which marginalizes the windows operating system is going to get attention, favor, and notice. The Asset Xtra is a good tactical example of why this is a solid approach. <Steve Howard> S'alright - we'll take it out of your wages <Amy Blankenship> I'm kind of keen to talk about this cruise thing sometime soon, so that may well be next <Gary Olson> What about preloading a Flash movie in aware? <Steve Howard> what about it? <Gary Olson> Anything special required? <Steve Howard> there is a Preload checkbox.... <Amy Blankenship> Gary: do you mean for web delivery or CD or Hard drive? <Gary Olson> for web or for CD <Steve Howard> what do you mean by preload? If the Flash file is internal, AW completely takes care of it for you <Steve Howard> if it is external, preload will have little noticeable effect from CD as Preload will only load the driver for the movie. <Steve Howard> on tech web it will preload the file to the cache if you use it right <Gary Olson> I need the Flash to run as soon as the user gets to the page....anything special required to get this to happen? <David> keep them small <Barbara Brown> No it should work fine <Greg Boudreaux> Over the web, it is best to embed everything <Amy Blankenship> You probably more need to look at the things Flash developers do to make their movies load fast <Graeme> What file format does the Flash file have to be in to insert into AW? <Gary Olson> ok thanks....I will just preload in Flash then <Steve Howard> Gary - put it at the top of the page. On the previous page Preload(IconNext(IconParent(IconID))) <Greg Boudreaux> So that by the time the segment gets there, the Flash move is embedded <Gary Olson> Thanks Steve <Greg Boudreaux> SWF I think <Steve Howard> swf yes <Graeme> thanks and that's shockwave flash file, right? <Barbara Brown> One problem I had with a project with Flash on every page was I had to Close the sound driver before playing the Flash. <Steve Howard> why? <Greg Boudreaux> I get mixed results trying to preload over the web <Greg Boudreaux> I had the same problem <Greg Boudreaux> But the other way around <Steve Howard> what problems do you have Greg? <Amy Blankenship> Greg, are you talking about the sound driver problem? <Greg Boudreaux> When I interrupted a Flash sound and immediately tried to play an Authorware sound... The Authorware sound would not play <Greg Boudreaux> yes <Amy Blankenship> That's good to keep in mind <Greg Boudreaux> I had to Sync a .5 second wait to let Flash close the sound driver properly so Authorware could get it <Steve Howard> Gary O ... I'm not sure you will notice anything if you preload in Flash.... AW does NOT stream the flash file in the Asset Xtra <Greg Boudreaux> I sent this to the AWARE archives a while back <Greg Boudreaux> This is with AW5 though... Not sure it still exists in AW6 <Barbara Brown> I did the waits first. Then found out just using CloseAWSoundDriver() worked fine. <Steve Howard> The Asset Xtra is unchanged in 6 I think <David> could you play the sound if it was housed in AW and use flash to call it when needed rather than in flash? <Barbara Brown> Yes, my project was in AW5 too. <Steve Howard> You could, but it would be crappy if it was meant to sync with the Flash file at all <David> ah <Greg Boudreaux> I set up a repeat loop after every Flash movie to check for playing... then if it was interrupted, it waited .5 secs before continuing... no need for CloseDriver function <Steve Howard> to check for SoundPlaying? <Greg Boudreaux> Isn't the CloseAWSoundDriver in an external XTRA? <Greg Boudreaux> No, to check to see if the movie was still playing. <Steve Howard> yes ... A5wmme.u32 <Barbara Brown> But it comes with AW. You don't have to buy it. <Steve Howard> so if the movie was interrupted by a sound, your loop catches the movie getting stopped?? <Greg Boudreaux> In a repeat loop, if you interrupt it with a Perpetual button, like a forward button, it will finish the rest of the calc icon before continuing... which is where I put the Sync <Barbara Brown> We had performance problems even if Flash wasn't interrupted, the reason for the Close <Amy Blankenship> That sounds pretty processor intensive <Greg Boudreaux> I have a problem at work getting Xtras implemented <Greg Boudreaux> Seems to work fine <Amy Blankenship> didn't you have problems with users who did stuff like double-clicking buttons <Steve Howard> I think you made this too complicated Greg - you could have put CloswAWSoundDriver in your perpetual button <Barbara Brown> Greg - What xtras? <Amy Blankenship> Steve: not if there were several ones that could have been called <Steve Howard> several buttons? <Greg Boudreaux> Any external XTRA. I must try to do everything native to Authorware if I can help it <Amy Blankenship> What I like to use for things like that is a subroutine that exits whenever what I am waiting on is done <Steve Howard> better CloseAWSoundDriver in 10 perpetual buttons than a loop at every Flash file??? <Barbara Brown> Xtras are native to AW. <Greg Boudreaux> We have policies where I can't just download anything to a end users drive <David> 3rd party Xtras? Greg <Amy Blankenship> you can put code like closeAWSoundDriver in the exit pane <David> or just the native aw web player Xtras <Greg Boudreaux> Then my forward button would have been Closing the AW sound driver every time it is pressed... maybe unnecessarily. <Steve Howard> Yes I like to do Video that way when I get the chance [Sat Aug 10 10:51:02 CDT 2002] Elly Langewis: Utrecht University, The Netherlands <Greg Boudreaux> I thought of that <Steve Howard> Well do you need to have sound continuing to play across pages? <Amy Blankenship> Hi, Elly <Greg Boudreaux> No double clicking problems Amy <Amy Blankenship> glad you could make it!!! <Steve Howard> Hi Elly ;-D <Elly Langewis> Hi y'all <Greg Boudreaux> Yes 3rd party Xtras David <Greg Boudreaux> Any download really <David> so if they are on the CD those are available? <David> or just the limited web player Xtras <Amy Blankenship> What about the segment files <David> ah <Steve Howard> LOL <David> I have the same issue and had to re do the whole project in flash <Greg Boudreaux> repeat while GetSpriteProperty(FLASH_ICONID, #playing) is what I used. It works perfectly <David> flash <Greg Boudreaux> No sound continuing across pages Steve. But I was trying not to have to include all "fix it up" code in my Forward and Back buttons <Steve Howard> Greg sure it works - but we are saying it is processor intensive. And it relies on you copying the code to every place you gave a Flash icon] <Steve Howard> whereas there are ways to have a single piece of code take care of it - like Amy's suggestion of a subroutine [Sat Aug 10 10:54:43 CDT 2002] Elly Langewis: Utrecht University, The Netherlands <Greg Boudreaux> David, we only do web delivery, so CD is not an issue, but I can include anything I want on a CD delivery <Amy Blankenship> A reminder: don't surf with the window that opened this chat...it's like surfing with a web page that has AW embedded <David> I understand <Greg Boudreaux> Segment files have been approved, since they go to the cache... it is a given for functionality. <Steve Howard> and we each get a small electric shock when you surf off like that <Amy Blankenship> ow! quit! <Amy Blankenship> ;-) <Steve Howard> :-)~ <David> same issue with a client who would allow anything from MM except AW web player <David> ? go figure <Steve Howard> there is no arguing with client bias <David> yup <Greg Boudreaux> I know Steve. But it doesn't require an extra and it seems to work OK. I am sure there are more processor operations going on <Steve Howard> they see HEEEEEEUGE web payer download and tell you that Flash is a far better solution <David> cept reporting and saba interface <Steve Howard> an empty sound works too .. 0.1 seconds of silence <David> keep using asp <Greg Boudreaux> I may put it in a sub, but I haven't got around to converting it yet <David> what a pain <Steve Howard> no need for any Extras or code or u32s or anything <Steve Howard> Well clients only think they know what is best <Steve Howard> they should not be allowed to think ;-) <Amy Blankenship> Steve: that can be gotten around by using the Compact player...but then you have to, erm, do an additional, erm, download, of your Xtras <David> :) :) you know it <Gary> the clients are always right :-) <Amy Blankenship> They have the money <David> well in this case cant even blame the client its there hosting service <Amy Blankenship> so, advise them on what the best thing is to do, then bill to do what they day :-D <Steve Howard> Amy I've been there too - no matter how you argue it - if a client doesn't want anything other than Flash then you have to get the headaches <Greg Boudreaux> Yea, the second of silence is also an option. <David> 1 year implementation on any thing that is not part of IE browser <Greg Boudreaux> I wish Macromedia would develop a plug-in manager program.. Kinda like how virus definitions are updated <Steve Howard> what other specific Flash in AW problems do we have? <David> but they will use toolbook? I don't get it <Greg Boudreaux> Then it could be scheduled to update all plug-ins, Xtras etc... <Steve Howard> David that's a nice idea :D <Steve Howard> What is the output format of Toolbook? Does it also have a proprietary plugin? <Greg Boudreaux> We are our own client and developer... But IT restricts all downloads and stuff... to protect from viruses. <Gary> something like the extension manager would be nice <David> besides animations which is my main reason for using flash what other implementations are useful for users experience <Amy Blankenship> Joshua is still trying to get in, BTW <Steve Howard> they should ban Authorware then - it has the ability do be used to create all sorts of virus-like behavior <Greg Boudreaux> Updating the XTRA in the plugin when a new version of Flash comes out before Authorware does <Steve Howard> Menus seem to be popular <Greg Boudreaux> Must be trusted to write to the Hard drive <David> as compared to mmmods <Steve Howard> and interactive widgets that are difficult or impossible to do in AW <Barbara Brown> I used to use Flash if I wanted some fade in/out effects but now with DMTools I don't need Flash anymore. <Greg Boudreaux> Our ini file only trusts our servers <David> I agree Barbara a few third parties have saved me a lot worth every penny <Steve Howard> Greg - that still means any AW file stored on your severs can read/write to the HDD and do all sorts of havoc. Of course, the user's profile must also enable read/write <David> Barbara (sorry) <Pam Rockx> I've used that FlashCam now Robo Demo to simulate software. It creates Flash files for you. <Greg Boudreaux> The only files that can get on our servers are the ones we write... so they trust I won't write a virus ;-) <David> thanks Steve next one I will use the menu idea cant wait to try it <Steve Howard> Yeah I looked at that too. Not sure it was any better than Camtasia for my needs - but then I had no need for captions etc. <Amy Blankenship> Greg: they better hope you never get mad!!! <Steve Howard> My latest project is using a Flash menu. <Greg Boudreaux> Yea, I always joke that I will release my embedded virus one day... they always laugh <Amy Blankenship> The problem with viruses is they are hard to test before you go live with them ;) <Steve Howard> Can't say I like the designer's idea of what it should look like, and there is no reason why his design could not be done without Flash ... but the possibilities are pretty good <Barbara Brown> Be careful, it might get to be like joking about bombs in planes. <Steve Howard> True Amy :-) <David> (Greg B)hey can I get a copy to hit the spammers with :) <Greg Boudreaux> We have about 1200 lessons that are active, which is about 50 or so courses. I tell them all I have to do is set one parameter in a config file and its toast <Steve Howard> is this when you are asking for a pay raise Greg? <David> server hostages <David> :) <Greg Boudreaux> They know I wouldn't do anything like that. But we can't fly on our FedEx planes right now because of 9/11. They are doing background checks on everyone <Steve Howard> Pay up, or the little server in the corner gets it first ... <Barbara Brown> That's the reason companies escort people out the door when they terminate them. <Amy Blankenship> I guess it IS more elegant than hanging your boss's first born out a window by the ankle <David> LOL <Greg Boudreaux> They keep me happy Steve <Steve Howard> Well done Greg ;-) <Greg Boudreaux> True Barbara. <Amy Blankenship> OK, back to Flash in AW <Elly Langewis> Lately I tried to put Flash movies external on the server and got an error message about Xtras. Have they to be internal always? <David> ok any other ideas <Greg Boudreaux> Are they in the proper location on the server? <Elly Langewis> yes <Steve Howard>I have this cool satisfaction rating animation ... like a temperature gauge. Pass a value from Authorware to Flash and it animates to the correct value. Really pretty and not possible with AW alone <Amy Blankenship> What is the error message again, Elly? <Gary> it's not? <Greg Boudreaux> Elly, have you tried embedding it to see if it will play? <Amy Blankenship> Steve, I don't know about "not possible" <David> ah yes rotating an image from the inside out? <Steve Howard>Not looking like this does <Amy Blankenship> You'd be surprised <Elly Langewis> not able to display because Xtra not found or missing something like that. Pretty weird as you don't use Xtras on the web. <David> that has been my main use for flash <Steve Howard>changing colors, nice vector graphics etc. <Greg Boudreaux> Cant you do that with a move and send it to the right fame in the movie to set the gauge? <Amy Blankenship> Elly...if you are using the Flash Asset Xtra you have to make sure that gets downloaded <Elly Langewis> embedded it plays like a charm <David> was waiting to hear from you Steve on that cool item from EuroTAAC <Steve Howard>Yes you do use Xtras on the Web Elly <Greg Boudreaux> Yes you do <Greg Boudreaux> They are in the plugin <Steve Howard>Nope ... we don't know anything about a cool item from EuroTAAC :-) <Amy Blankenship> Elly, do you have it downloading, or linking to NetLocation? <Greg Boudreaux> What version of Flash and version of the plugin are you using <Elly Langewis> Steve, you don't have to put them on the server, I guess they are packaged in then .aam and .aas files <Steve Howard> You need to make sure your Flash file is added to the Map file Elly <Steve Howard>Yes you do have to put them on the server <Barbara Brown> If it runs internally, what is the reason for keeping it external? <Steve Howard>otherwise how can the Web player download them to your user? <Amy Blankenship> Elly: I use the compact player, and I have to put them on the server <Elly Langewis> ? Which Xtra? <Greg Boudreaux> Steve is correct. Put on server. Reference in map file. Ensure proper version of plugin <Steve Howard>Maybe we should start from the beginning Elly.... <Steve Howard>What version of the web player do your users have? <Elly Langewis> I can't keep track of all your questions ;-) I have a web packaged piece (.aam and .aas), put it on the server, put the .swf with it in the same folder, gives error message. <Amy Blankenship> OK, Elly, are you using Netlocation to link to the file or FileLocation? <Steve Howard>What version of the web player do your users have Elly? <Elly Langewis> I just tested it on my own machine, all players installed. I'm still using Flash 4 :-( <Barbara Brown> Got to go now, it's been an interesting chat. Bye. <Greg Boudreaux> bye Barbara <Steve Howard> See you Barbara <Barbara Brown> interesting <Elly Langewis> Oh could be FileLocation, never thought about that Amy I'll try Monday. <Graeme> bye Barbara <Elly Langewis> by Barbara cu <Steve Howard> Elly. If the map file references an Xtra, it expects to find that Xtra on the server. The only time you would NOT place Xtras on the server is when a) you know your users have the full player b) you have no Xtras referenced in your map file <Amy Blankenship> Elly...If you let AW specify where your Flash files will be downloaded to, they will download to the download directory <Amy Blankenship> if you are looking for them in FileLocation, they won't be there <Greg Boudreaux> Which is the Cache <Steve Howard> it's not the browser cache. It's a folder called Downloads in the plugin's own directory <Elly Langewis> BTW the question I asked yesterday, about the size: I guess it is not possible. I want to display a 300*400 movie as well as a 200*200 movie through the same icon, but then the 200*200 gets a bit stretched. I'll have to use several icons for the different sizes. [Sat Aug 10 11:19:46 CDT 2002] Joshua has no profile. <Amy Blankenship> YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <Steve Howard> OK Elly - Jason's rescaling code did not work for you? <Steve Howard> Hey Joshua :-=D <Amy Blankenship> You got in!!! <Joshua> Sweet I see live people <Steve Howard> How didya fix it? <Amy Blankenship> What did you do? <Steve Howard> no we are all ghosts <Greg Boudreaux> In my map files... DOWNLOAD... in all caps go to the cache by default... in Netscape <Amy Blankenship> it was the Hail Bill Gates wasn't it? <David> bits in data heaven <Amy Blankenship> they go to the Cache, too, but they will also go next to the runtime itself <Greg Boudreaux> hello Joshua <Joshua> I had to pull out an old computer that had did not have the new Java installed <Amy Blankenship> :-o <Joshua> no idea <Amy Blankenship> So you mean it should have been the old Java? <Elly Langewis> Steve, I did that, but as I said, it gets stretched because the x/y ratio is different <Joshua> plus this computer has win 98 <Steve Howard> Greg all files are first downloaded to the browser cache, and then copied to the AW folder. As far as AW is concerned the files are there with it, not in the NS cache <Steve Howard> OK. :-) Let Jason know will ya Elly? <Greg Boudreaux> OH... guess that's why I never link anything... embed everything nice and neat in the segment file <Amy Blankenship> and big...don't forget big :-) <Elly Langewis> Ok Monday first thing <David> thats the one draw back <Steve Howard> You can link it Greg - you just need to understand where the files will be in a web packaged piece <Amy Blankenship> David: another drawback is that it takes longer to develop <David> and edit <David> :) <Amy Blankenship> There is that <David> I am totally new for browser delivery so I stay as close to comfort until development time allows for extensive testing <Michael R. Mizen> I am still a novice about Flash but these conversations have helped. Best to all. [Sat Aug 10 11:24:36 CDT 2002] Joe: www.authorware.com <Greg Boudreaux> embedding takes longer to edit? <Amy Blankenship> Have a good one Mike <Amy Blankenship> Hey Joe <Joe> hey <Gary> hi Joe <Amy Blankenship> Greg: that Is my opinion... <Joe> sorry so late <Elly Langewis> hi Joe <Greg Boudreaux> bye Michael <Steve Howard> Thanks Michael <Steve Howard> See Ya <Amy Blankenship> That's ok. I already docked you for the first hour <Graeme> hi Joe <Greg Boudreaux> hello Joe <Joe> hi all <Steve Howard> JOE!!!! Hi :-D <Joe> darn, there goes ten cents on my invoice <David> ya you have to find the embedded item <David> edit it <Joe> I was actually supposed to meet a client this past hour, but his plane is apparently late <Joe> unless... <David> then reinsert <Greg Boudreaux> When you link something... don't you have to run the piece to see if the new linked file affects anything internal? <Steve Howard> 10? You put your prices up? <Joe> If was supposed to meet him at the office...oh no <Amy Blankenship> :-o <Amy Blankenship> Does that mean you are headed out again? <Steve Howard> Oh Joe ... <Steve Howard> :-( <Joe> in ten minute <Amy Blankenship> :-o <Joe> sorry, If interrupted. what question is on the table? <Greg Boudreaux> Authorware is an excellent "edit on the fly tool" so finding the edit is not a problem <Amy Blankenship> We have drifted off to the question of whether external content is quicker to develop in than internal <David> If have had 99% success rate on CD things by just replacing the linked file <Steve Howard> Greg you perhaps do - but 99 times out of a hundred you can edit the external file, place it path the PACKAGED aw file and it just worked. <David> especially if its in a library <Steve Howard> How much time do you think that saves? <Greg Boudreaux> if it is set up as more of a templated design <Steve Howard> Still the same <Amy Blankenship> I like the fact that I can write storyboards that directly drive the AW piece with little conversion necessary <Joe> I prefer external content whenever possible, it *feels* much faster to maintain <Steve Howard> Yes yes yes <David> yup <Greg Boudreaux> If you are replacing forms or graphics of things people have to fill out... you can't just link a new file... it must be run to make sure everything still lines up <Steve Howard> takes a little while to change your thinking that's all <Amy Blankenship> Greg: I think templated designs work even better with external content <Steve Howard> That's a different thing <Steve Howard> unless you also specify locations externally <Joe> Greg, good to see you. no question that it's not a panacea for everything <Greg Boudreaux> Hello Joe... we have several issues at FedEx that have driven us to not link files <Steve Howard> Greg what's your email address? I'll send you something that will demonstrate why we all love external content <Elly Langewis> Isn't it so that A'ware loads all the external files first and than starts, on the web? This can take a while when you have about 100 really big pictures (anatomy so really big). Could the performance be better when they are internal? <Greg Boudreaux> gjboudre@somewhere.com <Joshua> Linked content depends primarily on who has to maintain the linked content <Joshua> I love linked content <Steve Howard> Not if you make other arrangements Elly <Elly Langewis> like? <Amy Blankenship> Elly: That is why God invented "ondemand" <Joshua> but some of the people that maintain the linked content do not <Joshua> because it is a pain for them to keep track of <Amy Blankenship> Greg: do you want me to edit out your address? Or leave it in for posterity <Greg Boudreaux> We have about 20 developers in my group... managing a linked directory structure while passing files is a nightmare <Joshua> at least that's their argument <Steve Howard> on its way Greg <Greg Boudreaux> You can edit it... just so I don't get spam from a web crawler once you post the chat log... thanks <Elly Langewis> Amy: how about MM? I'm an atheist you see... <Amy Blankenship> LOL <Joshua> I only have 14 "developers" that I work with, but <Amy Blankenship> Then God is whoever you (don't) want it to be <Elly Langewis> Bill? <Joshua> the argument is the same <Elly Langewis> I prefer Biff then <Amy Blankenship> OK, Greg...it will be gone <Steve Howard> :o <Amy Blankenship> OK, why do you think Biff invented "ondemand" ;-) <Joshua> the directory structure associated with the pieces can get complex <Greg Boudreaux> When there is no clear template to graphic sizes... where things can be any size... You still have to run and debug you file once you replace the link. At least to make sure it doesn't overrun something else. like onscreen text [Sat Aug 10 11:33:51 CDT 2002] David: Michigan USA <Steve Howard> sure it can - but if you have a system that everybody knows and understands it need not be difficult to use Joshua <Joshua> it takes a strong (maybe even militant) leader to hammer a directory structure <Joshua> and versioning system <Amy Blankenship> Joshua, where are you located? <Joe> sorry, guys, I DO have to go <Steve Howard> Greg a bit of simple math can dynamically place your graphics centrally <Joe> be well <Amy Blankenship> OK, Joe <Joshua> into the minds of the developers <Amy Blankenship> good luck at your meeting <Elly Langewis> bye Joe cu <Greg Boudreaux> Linking and having to still run the piece is just as slow as running the piece, pausing, and replacing the graphic right there. <Joe> thanks, it's a dry run for our pentagon meeting Monday <Joshua> so that linked content can work effectively <Joe> wish us luck <Steve Howard> or you can store the location of the file in the filename and have the graphic tell Authorware where to position it <Graeme> bye Joe <Steve Howard> See Ya Joe <Greg Boudreaux> bye Joe <Joshua> in a larger setting of . . . more than 1 <Amy Blankenship> Actually, Steve, I think you can get the icon settings to put your graphic centrally if you play with it <Steve Howard> there are loads of options :-) <Steve Howard> Joshua a system works with a million people if it is logical and everybody knows the system <Greg Boudreaux> I know linking has its advantages... but so does embedding... I guess its personal choice <Steve Howard> Don't fight it Greg :-) <Amy Blankenship> But Joshua does not have weapons of mass destruction <Elly Langewis> seticonproperties doesn't (always) function at runtime <Greg Boudreaux> Ok.. if you have a form someone has to fill out <Greg Boudreaux> and section 1 and 2 on the form swap places <Gary> use peer pressure <Greg Boudreaux> You can't just relink the new graphic and be done <Amy Blankenship> Elly, that's not what I meant. When you import an image you can set it up to align right, left, center, bottom, whatever <Greg Boudreaux> You still have to run the file and make sure it works <Amy Blankenship> so as you bring in a new image it will take on the alignment of the original <Steve Howard> Ally we are not talking about using SetIconProperties. Just some embedded variables <Amy Blankenship> relative to the original graphic's size <Greg Boudreaux> But within the graphic, if the layout of the graphic changes you have problems you have to fix <Steve Howard> Greg take a look at what I sent before you continue squirming on this hook <Joshua> wow I'm trying to keep up with all the messages <Greg Boudreaux> I know that replacing a 200x200 photo with another one would be easy to link <Joshua> this is my first time in a chat in quite awhile <Steve Howard> we are a noisy bunch <Joshua> I'm in South Carolina <Amy Blankenship> and this chat has relatively few people compared to some <Steve Howard> does that make your reading slower? ;-) <Greg Boudreaux> I like to type :-) <Steve Howard> yeah about half <Elly Langewis> I like Ally <Amy Blankenship> Joshua: so no rabid militant groups you can get to back you up ;-) <Joshua> Exactly Steve a good system does work for a million people and linking is the best way to go if everyone is 100% on board <Joshua> but not everyone gets it . . . and that's when it doesn't always work <Greg Boudreaux> Over the web... tell me if I have this right... <Steve Howard> So fire the ones who don't want to play Joshua :-)~ or whip them .. whichever is legal in your state <Joshua> LOL <Joshua> I wish I could <David> let the beatings commence <Steve Howard> Me first! <Amy Blankenship> I had a boss once tell me that if you just state your position and let the chips fall, then sooner or later people will start realizing they usually fall the way you said they would <David> true <Amy Blankenship> Steve, quit flirting with David <Greg Boudreaux> When the web player requests a segment, does the segment have to be downloaded and executed to see the linked content? <Steve Howard> Greg the mail I sent you bounced :O <Steve Howard> LOL <David> :o <Greg Boudreaux> Then another web player request has to be made to the server for the linked media? <Greg Boudreaux> try gjBoudreaux@fedex.com <Amy Blankenship> Greg: it depends on how you plan your piece <Steve Howard> Possibly - but you have control over your external media <Greg Boudreaux> Are there extra network calls for external media? <Greg Boudreaux> One for the segment and others for the media? <Amy Blankenship> So, I guess we have moved on to "Authorware on the Web" as the topic of this chat ;-) <Steve Howard> on its way again <Greg Boudreaux> Sorry, no other Flash questions came up <Joshua> The part that sucks the most about internal media (for me) is repackaging <Amy Blankenship> Greg: you can download all your external content up front using the map files <Amy Blankenship> you can link to it like you would link to it on the hard rive, but over the web <Steve Howard> Greg if you take a look at the Network functions and Variables you should get a better idea of what is possible <Amy Blankenship> you can download it using NetDownload or NetDownloadBackground <Greg Boudreaux> Do you download it to the cache first? <Steve Howard> forget about the cache <Amy Blankenship> you can also download your external content in zip files and unpack it when it is downloaded <Greg Boudreaux> How do you get rid of old linked content on someone's system? <Steve Howard> it is a red herring when you talk about AW <Amy Blankenship> You don't handle the part where it goes through the cache <Amy Blankenship> Greg: you just set it not to recycle <Greg Boudreaux> Don't recycle? <Amy Blankenship> or delete it, if it is trusting <Joshua> especially if your original Flash pieces started out using linked content <Steve Howard> you can either delete it yourself or let AW delete it <Gary> gotta go, it's been fun <Elly Langewis> by Gary <Steve Howard> See ya Gary <Amy Blankenship> Thanks for coming by Gary <Graeme> bye Gary <Steve Howard> Greg you need to read up about web delivery :-) <David> sorry gotta run loved every minute <Greg Boudreaux> We just find that embedding content is easier overall... Multi developer environment, web delivery <Amy Blankenship> Steve happens to have a faq he can send you to <Steve Howard> See ya David .. cheers <Greg Boudreaux> Been doing web delivery for 3 yrs <Greg Boudreaux> embed everything... no headaches <Steve Howard> time you learnt how to do it <Steve Howard> :-)~ <Greg Boudreaux> ultimate version control... no cleanup after myself <Joshua> Greg do you have a FAQ? <Greg Boudreaux> no <Joshua> I'd be interested in your take on internalizing content <Joshua> like how-I-do-it portion <Greg Boudreaux> Amy, I also have the restrictions I mentioned earlier... I can't just download anything I want to someone's hard drive <Greg Boudreaux> I think it is the easiest solution <Amy Blankenship> I suspect you already are violating those restrictions without knowing it <Joshua> and the how-I-manage-it portion <Greg Boudreaux> No... Downloading to the cache is ok <Amy Blankenship> Joshua...one of the focuses of the cruise will be project management <Amy Blankenship> Greg: it downloads to the cache and then copies to the plugin directory <Joshua> I'm not sure if I'll be able to go on the cruise . . . January is still up in the air <Steve Howard> but you miss the point Greg ... you are only using the cache as a temporary repository - the true location of what you download is outside of the cache, in the plugin folder <Steve Howard> this is true of external content too <Amy Blankenship> Yeah, I may have to cancel on TAAC <Greg Boudreaux> If everything is embedded... Only segments get downloaded. They go to the cache only in Netscape. They are run... then deleted when the cache moves older files out <Amy Blankenship> Greg: do you use the full web player or the Compact t web player <Steve Howard> the whole point of external content is rapid development <Greg Boudreaux> Full <Steve Howard> Greg they do not only go to the cache <Amy Blankenship> Greg: do your users install the plugin, or do you push it out? <Joshua> Which Flash in Authorware topics have already been covered? <Amy Blankenship> Mainly we have talked about asset Xtra vs ActiveX <Steve Howard> Embedding with Asset Xtra vs ActiveX, communication a leeetle ... <Amy Blankenship> Most people seem to lean toward Asset Xtra <Joshua> Interesting <Amy Blankenship> Then we all decided to convince Greg that he should move his content external <Amy Blankenship> :-) <Steve Howard> well it is simplest <Joshua> Where I work . . . we now use the ActiveX almost exclusively <Greg Boudreaux> Our plugin is in an image that we stamp on the system before it goes out <Amy Blankenship> That makes things simple. Why not also stamp in the most used u32's as well, while you are at it ;-) <Greg Boudreaux> I can't just load any ActiveX control on anyone's system either ;-) <Elly Langewis> What is the difference between using the asset ore using the Active X? (in functionality) <Joshua> However, we develop for an internal network <Amy Blankenship> Joshua, you want to field that one? <Greg Boudreaux> because we can't update the systems already in the field... we would then have different configs to manage <Joshua> Currently, the ActiveX allows for LoadMovie, LoadVars, and various external content to be brought in <Joshua> directly to Flash <Greg Boudreaux> This is also an internal network. <Steve Howard> the ActiveX also enables streaming <Joshua> since we have found LoadMovie to be extremely simple for most of our "developers" to use <Steve Howard> Asset Xtra does not require user to have appropriate Flash plugin, and supports layering and transparency <Joshua> then we have recently been relying on externalized content via Load Movie <Steve Howard> Greg that second address also bounced <Joshua> right the Asset Xtra supports transparency <Amy Blankenship> and layering <Joshua> and layering in the Authorware Presentation Window <Amy Blankenship> :) <Joshua> However you can layer ActiveX windows on top of each other <Elly Langewis> are there things you can't do with the Asset you can with the ActiveX? I thought the Asset was a specialized ActiveX, dedicated to Flash <Steve Howard> for a performance hit <Joshua> and you can layer WinControls on top of those [Sat Aug 10 11:57:35 CDT 2002] Gregb: FedEx <Amy Blankenship> Joshua, that is impractical especially if you want to move anything <Gregb> lost connection <Joshua> The asset is not an ActiveX <Steve Howard> welcome back Greg -- that second address bounced <Joshua> The Asset will work equally as well (?) on Mac and Win <Gregb> That should work. gjBoudreaux@somewhere.com <Gregb> How big is the attachment? <Steve Howard> Elly - The Asset does not support Streaming , LoadMovie or LoadVar. The ActiveX does <Steve Howard> about 800k <Elly Langewis> ok <Gregb> I will send you an email Monday and have you replay with the attachment <Gregb> should work <Joshua> I've not moved anything when ActiveX layering . . . because there is a performance hit (as others have said) <Steve Howard> that's the same address that just bounced <Steve Howard> OK Greg <Gregb> My mail server at work must be down right now <Gregb> maybe weekend maintenance... both those addresses should work <Amy Blankenship> you should get a femail server <Steve Howard> OK .. I get Connection Refused / Retry Timeout exceeded <Amy Blankenship> more dependable <Amy Blankenship> :D <Gregb> hahah <Elly Langewis> Don't think I need streaming with Flash animations not exceeding 50k, so I'll be happy with the Asset. <Steve Howard> rubbish :-D <Gregb> Yea, less maintenance? <Steve Howard> More rubbish :-D <Joshua> Elly, the Asset currently cannot perform LoadMovie, LoadVars, loading XML directly, no server connections, etc. <Joshua> Additionally, the current Asset crawl to its knees when input text boxes are involved in the Flash movie <Joshua> these things do not impact the ActiveX <Joshua> The asset is GRRRREAT for simple animations when your 3rd party might not have the Flash Player installed <Gregb> We only use Flash in Authorware for simple animations... nothing too complex <Steve Howard> I think most people use flash to place pretty animations into Authorware, nit to create inputs etc. <Amy Blankenship> Yes, we have Winctrls :-D <Joshua> That's interesting input is Flash MX's forte <Elly Langewis> I'm afraid I only use simple animations, without interaction in Flash. I want them to be transparent, and that was not supported by the ActiveX? <Joshua> and communication <Steve Howard> Why would I want to use MX for inputs? <Elly Langewis> Isn't A'ware dedicated to interactions? Why on earth use Flash for that? <Joshua> It depends on what you want your inputs to do . . . <Steve Howard> er ... inputs :-) <Steve Howard> same as always? <Joshua> creative input possibilities for the designer <Elly Langewis> input -> output | action -> reaction | = interaction <Joshua> and a greater amount for programmability for the developer <Steve Howard> What does MX give us that Wincontrols do not? <Joshua> I love Authorware input for simple things . . . there is nothing easier <Gregb> Steve, I am looking in my Netscape Plugins folder... AW60... and it doesn't contain a download folder <Steve Howard> because you've never downloaded anything by any chance? <Joshua> but if I want to dynamically highlight a word(s) that an individual just typed . . . it gets problematic <Gregb> Well, I embed everything... And all my segments go to the cache... right? <Gregb> Where else are the "copied" too? <Steve Howard> the segments go into the plugin folder <Steve Howard> and are erased when you close your program <Elly Langewis> ok, it's 7 p.m. here, have to join my family for dinner. CU all on the list Monday. Thanks for the chat! Nice experience. Bye! <Steve Howard> OK Elly Se Ya <Amy Blankenship> Have a good one Elly <Joshua> additionally, if you want to spin (or some other weird transition) an input box (for those designers types) <Gregb> in the root of the plugin folder? Why there and not by the runtime engine <Graeme> bye Elly <Joshua> then currently the ActiveX is the way <Gregb> They might as well stay in the cache <Gregb> bye Elly <Steve Howard> by the runtime <Joshua> bye Elly <Gregb> in the AW60 folder? <Gregb> I will have to test that to see what's going on. <Gregb> I have never seen them there before. <Joshua> Additionally, the ActiveX has a greater ability to interact with Authorware <Joshua> than the Asset Xtra . . . currently <Gregb> I have a problem getting ActiveX controls approved [Sat Aug 10 12:12:12 CDT 2002] Steve: Sort of less square, but still lumpy <Joshua> In your network . . .which OS are you using <Gregb> anywhere from win95 to 2000 <Gregb> all of my locked down machines are in win95 <Joshua> which version of the Flash Player is installed <Amy Blankenship> Ouch <Amy Blankenship> Greg, you are going to eventually have to upgrade your configuration <Gregb> varies with flash... AW 5 plugin everywhere <Amy Blankenship> *Microsoft* does not support Win 95 anymore <Gregb> We know <Steve> soon it will not support Win 98 either <Joshua> Then (barring nice IT guys) the Asset is the way to go <Gregb> Our systems are so locked down... that all we need them to do is boot up... the Netscape automatically loads in Kiosk mode... and all the user sees is a log in screen <Steve> Asset is simplest without doubt <Gregb> no Start Bar, Sys Tray, nothing <Joshua> communication "out of the box" is much easier with the ActiveX, but there are work-arounds for the Asset <Steve> I have worked with similar NT systems. It is quite a pain getting anything to work <Gregb> Can't browse to another site, no Netscape controls either <Gregb> Looks exactly like a Kiosk would <Steve> how many machines Greg? <Joshua> That's the way our network is as well <Joshua> everything is locked down <Amy Blankenship> Yuck <Gregb> 2000 or so locked down... then you can also access our site from any PC in our system, which doesn't have the restrictions <Steve> darned right :-( <Amy Blankenship> why have computers and use .01% of their capacity <Joshua> however we have a dedicated IT guy that will install stuff (after all the legalities check out) <Steve> IT folk are skeered of stoopit and clevur employees <Gregb> Because we have to be able to guarantee access to a training system when someone needs it. <Gregb> Most field systems get repurposed after a while if you don't watch them <Amy Blankenship> :-) <Gregb> Then no new hire employees have anywhere to train <Gregb> So, keeping the plugins updated is a chore <Gregb> And sending a new image is even worse <Steve> I thought the whole point of central admin made such things easy? <Joshua> for us, the lock down is a security precaution from potentially malicious users <Gregb> But it runs flawlessly, all embedded ;-) No download problems, clean up after itself system <Steve> barring the fact the IT always makes out it is a tremendous chore <Amy Blankenship> So, Flash ;) <Steve> LOL - <Gregb> Central admin makes it easy on the front end... administration on the back end is the hard part. <Steve> I begin to wonder why Joshua is using Authorware at all ;-) <Gregb> We use Flash in Authorware, but really simplistic. Only problem was that audio bug. <Gregb> I think if I could show you our system, you would be impressed. <Joshua> I love Authorware . . . but it needs to modernize <Steve> to be fair that is an AW issue, not specific to flash <Steve Howard>I am a terrible cynic. I seem to be hard to impress these days <Joshua> I will use Authorware as long as possible . . . but Flash just has more support <Steve Howard>I agree it needs to modernise <Gregb> I wish Macromedia would release a super plugin that handled all there products. And update it on a scheduled interval <Steve> I agree it needs to modernize <Joshua> This List is the saving grace of Authorware <Gregb> True Joshua <Gregb> And sites like this <Steve> Yes ... it is the best possible resource <Joshua> Without this list, Authorware would die . . . <Steve> then for a real melting pot, you need TAAC etc. <Gregb> When the dedication dies, so will Authorware <Joshua> . . . and Allaire wouldn't care <Steve> same goes for Flash :-D <Joshua> But as long as Authorware is here, I'm all for it <Joshua> and the best companion to Authorware is currently Flash <Steve> yes. Macromedia are positively encouraging the that <Gregb> FedEx is almost all Authorware <Joshua> now if Authorware could harness the communication power of Flash MX <Steve> that is a great idea. Maybe they will eventually <Joshua> by currently using the ActiveX <Joshua> or maybe revising the Asset Xtra <Steve> I think that is overdue <Gregb> I think if Authorware could play multiple sound files together, and add a few of the fancy Flash transitions... it would be the best hands down <Joshua> then Authorware would be "all that and a bag of chips" <Steve> we got the Flash 5 Asset very quickly <Steve> I keep asking for multiple sounds <Joshua> maybe we'll get the Flash MX Asset just as quickly <Gregb> Macromedia needs to integrate the plug ins more <Steve> We're already overdue just as quick ;-( <Joshua> but until then we can rely on the ActiveX if we are win only <Gregb> Where Key parts are shared by all plugins <Steve> the difficulty there is that Flash, Director and Authorware are all different technologies <Amy Blankenship> I think that AW has every bit of Flash's communication power <Gregb> more <Gregb> and easier <Joshua> Not even close to the communication power of FlashMX . . . <Steve> yeah what do you need from Flash MX communication that AW cannot give you? <Joshua> without much much work <Gregb> I want one program that I can load that sits in my sys tray that would manage the updates of all the plugins... just like my virus program does with virus definitions <Joshua> Yesterday I successfully talked between to Authorware Application using the Flash 6 ActiveX using the Local Connection Object <Gregb> We would never have to worry about version control or support issues again <Amy Blankenship> what good would that do, Greg? You couldn't install the update... <Joshua> this used to take a bunch of COM code and a u32 or dll or whatever <Gregb> It could download and update files <Steve> Joshua please explain more - what does that mean? What does it enable you to achieve? <Gregb> just like an installer does <Amy Blankenship> Steve I think he means like MojoMessage <Joshua> The Local Connection object allows you to "talk" between 2 or more simultaneous Flash pieces . . . either embedded in an Authorware piece or in a Flash projector <Amy Blankenship> Greg: you think that would happen without a download to the hard drive? <Steve> Yeah I know ... but I want him to explain to others here ;-) <Joshua> all with about 5 lines of simple code <Gary Olson> Joshua, yes, please explain and provide some examples if possible of Flash's superior ability at "communication" -- <Steve> Yeah but what I mean is ... gee whizz that sounds wonderful ... you could ... er .. HUH? <Gregb> I want it to happen just like my virus program updates its definitions... go out on the web at a scheduled time... check for a new file... download it and replace the older file. <Joshua> additionally <Amy Blankenship> Er, thought you could not download things? <Gregb> With approval, <Gregb> I could get something approved if I can show how it works <Amy Blankenship> So what makes it so much easier to get approval for that than regular AW functionality <Gregb> I just can't make it a habit of downloading anything I want. <Joshua> the Local Objection allows you to execute user defined functions in the Flash pieces whether they are embedded or not . . . <Gregb> Yes, when I can put potentially anything in a map file to download. <Steve> whether the functions are embedded or the Flash files are embedded? <Joshua> Additionally, since Flash 5, Flash has allowed push technology via the XMLSocket to allow for group problem solving <Steve> Gee that sounds incredible ... er ... HUH??? <Gregb> Well gang, I got to run. Thanks again Amy for hosting this wonderful chat room... I have to finish painting a nursery for my expectant child next month. <Amy Blankenship> have a good one <Steve> your child is pregnant? <Gregb> LOL <Amy Blankenship> hope your child gets what he/she is expecting <Amy Blankenship> ;-) <Steve> See ya Greg <Gregb> You know what I mean... Wife expecting a child... sorry <Steve> LOL <Joshua> a problem (or task) can be assigned to 2 or more simultaneous users and instant (or nearly) screen updates can take place show what each user is doing on the problem <Amy Blankenship> :-) <Amy Blankenship> good luck with that, Greg <Steve> Oh - that sounds much less interesting <Gregb> lol <Gregb> I will try and contact you Monday Steve <Steve> OK so what you are telling is the MojoMessage can be recreated with FlashMX <Steve> OK Greg <Amy Blankenship> Joshua...does that work across the network. like Mojochat? <Steve> but right now I still think only Amy and I know what MojoMessage is <Joshua> Yes, whether the Flash files are embedded or linked <Amy Blankenship> IK, guys, I gotta run. I have other commitments now. :-( <Steve> So how does that work? Does the Flash object announce itself on the network with a virtual IP? <Steve Howard>OK Amy ... see ya soon... Thanks |