Archive for the 'News' Category

Ryan Taylor will be presenting to us through Adobe Connect. That means if you can’t make it to mediaRain @ 6 for the meeting, you can still watch by going to the following link:

http://adobechats.adobe.acrobat.com/uflash/

Of course, if you come to mediaRain, you can enjoy free pizza and drinks as well as some giveaways. Also, you’ll be able to ask questions directly to Ryan.

If you only participate online, we won’t be able to provide technical support of any kind if you have troubles logging in, etc. I’ll do my best to record the meeting.

The meeting tonight will begin at 6pm with Ryan’s presentation starting sometime around 6:30pm or whenever we get the Connect room all set up and ready to go.

Hope to see you there! Let me know if you have any questions.

To stay the most up-to-date with our group announcements, please subscribe to our google group:

http://groups.google.com/group/uflash

The time has come for our first annual PhysExtravaganza! The winner can take home up to $2100 in software from Adobe* with the 2rd prize being a month’s subscription to Lynda.com (I’m still searching for other potential prizes). Here are the rules:

1. Develop a Flash project (game, experiment, useful tool, etc.) using an open source physics library such as the following (source is usually provided at the links):

* Box2d: http://box2dflash.sourceforge.net/
* APE: http://www.cove.org/ape/
* FOAM: http://code.google.com/p/foam-as3/
* Fisix: http://www.fisixengine.com/
* WOW: http://seraf.mediabox.fr/wow-engine/as3-3d-physics-engine-wow-engine/

2. Release the source code to the group
3. Comment the source code reasonably well
4. Show off your project at the meeting
5. Win the popular vote of the group (I will be the super delegate in case of a tie)

At the meeting, I will spend the first 45 minutes presenting on Box2d. The rest of the time will be used to start a project from what you’ve learned or finish up a project you’ve started on. Around 7:45 we’ll demo all the projects and put them all to the vote with the winner being one happy camper. At the very least everyone will walk away with free food, drinks, and physics source code for future projects.

The meeting details are as follows:

uFlash will be held Tuesday May 27th @ 6:30pm at RED Interactive in downtown Salt Lake City.
Pizza and drinks will be provided thanks to RED.

RED Interactive
http://ff0000.com/
230 S 500 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Google Map with street view looking at the building- http://tinyurl.com/65ezlg

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be sending out reminders each week before the meeting.

-
John Lindquist

Hey uFlashers,

Here is an outline of the things you can expect at this week’s meeting. It
will be informative and evenly-paced. If you have any questions / request,
email me at info@flashextensions.com

Rob

Part 1 - Intro to Java
Objectives:
1. Create and run a Java application
2. Intro to syntax
3. Create and call a method
4. Create and call a Class method
5. See some shortcuts that can be used in Eclipse with Java
Part 2 - Running WebOrb for Java
Objectives:
1. Learn how to run WebOrb for Java
2. Get familiar with the WebOrb Console
3. Get familiar with WebOrb directory structure
Part 3 - Create a Java service
Objectives
1. Learn common relationships between Java and Flex
2. Export a jar
3. Test our newly created Java class in WebOrb console
Part 4 - Create a Flex client
Objectives
1. Learn how to communicate with WebOrb
2. Call a method on our service
Part 5 - Returning complex data from Java
Objectives
1. Learn how to return data types from Java
2. Learn how to use jars in your Java project
Part 6 - Connect to MySQL
Objectives
1. Learn how to communicate with a database
2. Learn how to format a query result and return it
If there is time..
Bonus: Saving bitmap data
Bonus: Create a simple chat

Just another reminder - this meeting is TOMORROW NIGHT!

Join uFlash for this “can’t miss” meeting!

Adobe’s RIA technologies enable you to rapidly build and deploy the most engaging applications across browsers and on the desktop. uFlash is hosting a special live event to share exciting new information on Adobe’s platform tools and technologies for building RIAs. You’ll see an exclusive user group video presentation by Adobe Chief Software Architect, Kevin Lynch, hear some important product news, plus get your hands on some exclusive schwag and other giveaways.

Be part of the fun and excitement and join the rest of the Adobe developer community by participating in this very special event.

This meeting will happen on Monday, February 25 at 6:00PM

As usual, we’ll be meeting at mediaRAIN

Just a final reminder about December’s uFlash meeting which is happening TONIGHT!

Tonight’s content is being provided by you - details can be found on our blog here: http://www.uflash.org/138/december-meeting-details/

Remember, to be eligible to win the Adobe Software grand prize (up to $2100 of software) - you MUST present at the meeting tonight. Be sure to read the rules. If you plan on presenting, you MUST register with me in advance. The deadline is 5:00PM MST. If I don’t receive an email from you by 5, you will not be eligible to win the software.

There will be other prizes available for those who attend, but the only way to be entered in the drawing for the software prize is to present.

And, if this helps encourage you to get that registration in… the odds of winning are pretty good right now. ONLY 5 people have been confirmed to be presenters:

• Dustin Woodard
• Cole Joplin
• Robert Taylor
• Joe Snow
• Ellis Elkins

If you have emailed me, and are not in the list above, please let me know BEFORE 5PM.

See you tonight!

When:

December 20 - 6:00PM

Where:

mediaRAIN

Why You Should Be There:

Our December is going to be your chance to possibly score up to $2100 of Adobe software or other swag! We’ll be raffling off your choice of Adobe software up to a $2100 value, but there’s a catch - to be entered in the drawing, you must present at our meeting. All you have to do is talk 5-15 minutes on anything in the Flash Platform in December’s uFlash Meeting on the 20th.

For Example:

• 10 minutes on what inspires you or how you get inspired.
• 5 minutes on how you have used Flash for something other than your work.
• 10 minutes on why _____ is the best Flex book you have ever read.
• 15 on why tween package X is better than tween package Y.

Here are the rules:

1. Prepare anything, but it must involve the Flash Platform.
2. You have to talk or demonstrate for at least 5 minutes - 15 minutes MAX.
3. If it is a project, it must to be on CD, thumb drive, or viewable online. No laptops, or installing of or downloading files. (Nothing to slow the meeting down).
4. There will be a timer - once the timer sounds, you will have one minute to wrap up.
5. You must register in advance so that we can prepare for the meeting. Just send an email to me (josh@joshbuhler.com) that essentially says “Count me in” with your name and email address, and estimated time needed.
6. Depending on the amount of people who register, the available presentation time may be less than 15 minutes. Please plan accordingly. If this happens, I will notify all those who have registered to present.
7. Only people who give a presentation will be entered in the drawing.

All questions will be answered on our blog so everyone can see them.

Prizes will be an Adobe Software Suite (1st) value up to $2,100.00, winner will have to download 30 day trial and will be sent serial numbers (no boxed copy), an Adobe swag package (2nd), and other assorted prizes.

If you’re interested, here’s a chance to do a little charity work:

Greetings,

The World Organization of Webmasters (WOW), a non-profit professional association, has teamed up with the Adobe Corporation to conduct the
first international Web Pro Community Challenge, to be announced at Adobe MAX in Chicago, IL, October 1-3, 2007.

WHAT IS IT?

The Web Pro Community Challenge is an opportunity for industry professionals to give something back to the community by designing, developing and promoting a fully functional web site and/or web application for a designated non-profit organization.

The idea is very similar to the Flex CodeJam that was run as part of 360Flex - Seattle, where a group of developers got together for a code-a-thon to build an application for a non-profit organization.

WHO ARE WE SUPPORTING?

The Challenge is supporting two charities: Say Yes to Green, and Direct Relief International.

The SayYesToGreen.org initiative Statement of Work surrounds a complete makeover that includes elements of Web site design, development and
business. The SayYesToGreen.org initiative is an international effort to educate the population about energy saving tips and resources.

The Direct Relief International’s Statement of Work surrounds a Flex Based Multimedia Annual Report which will be used within their website. Since 1948, Direct Relief International has worked to improve the quality of life for people in need. Direct Relief provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. According to Charity Navigator this charity is rated 4 out of 4 stars, and your contribution in time will help this charity grow in the future.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Grab a couple of friends or co-workers and join other web professionals in giving something back by signing up your team of 3 to participate at http://www.webprochallenge.org/enter-now.html! Also, feel free to take a tour of the challenge web site for more information.

The first uFlash workshop was a great success! Everyone learned a lot, even the main presenters. Matrices were broken down into really simple and easy to understand terms relating to Flash’s 2-dimensional graphics. By the end of the meeting we were rotating and scaling many objects around a dynamic registration point with a single matrix. There has been an overwhelming request for code samples and a free transform class to be made available. For any of the participants last night, if you’re itching to build one or share what you’ve built previously, please post the samples and make them available to the group.

Wonderful job, it was a great workshop. It is a great start for future uFlash workshops. Lets start the topic requests and make some plans for the rest of the year.

I’ve now posted the very limited example we made at the meeting. Download the Matrix Test

There will be a uFlash workshop held today, July 11th. The workshop will be held at the mediaRAIN offices and start promptly at 6pm. This months workshop is focused on matrices in Flash, specifically building up a Free Transform tool similar to the tools the Flash Authoring Environment offer. This type of functionality is very nice to have in online applications that present image editing and layout options to users, such as ScrapBlog and Click-Shirt.

The format of the workshop will be informal and hands-on, so bring your laptops if you can and be ready to contribute and learn from others. Though a laptop will be beneficial, you do not have to have one to attend, and you do not need any prior matrix experience to contribute or learn.

Please come and enjoy the workshop with other uFlash members.