The Flex SDK contains features for accessing server-side data. Flex data access components are based on a service-oriented architecture (SOA). These components use remote procedure calls to interact with server environments, such as PHP, Adobe ColdFusion, and Microsoft ASP.NET, to provide data to Flex applications and send data to back-end data sources.

Depending on the types of interfaces you have to a particular server-side application, you can connect to a Flex application by using one of the following methods:

• HTTP GET or POST by using the HTTPService component
• Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) compliant web services by using the WebService component
• Adobe Action Message Format (AMF) remoting services by using the RemoteObject component

This is a quick comparison of the three Flex Data Access methods

Adobe has announced two new open source frameworks today

Open Source Media Framework (previously called Strobe)

OSMF is a set of components that you can use in order to build your own video player. Until OSMF you either had to use a pre-built player and try to customize its behavior or you had to create your own player. Most of the time the second option was embraced, especially by media publishers. Now, with OSMF it should be much easier to do that. It mainly facilitates the development and sharing of open standards and best practices for video player applications built on the Adobe Flash Platform.

For more information about building video applications in Adobe Flash CS4 Professional or Adobe Flash Builder, you may wish to visit the Video Technology Center on the Adobe Developer Connection.

Text Layout Framework

TLF is a framework for text layout – more powerful than HTML/CSS. It has support for bidirectional text, multiple columns and other typographical features. It does not depend on the Flex Framework so it can be used even from a simple Flash application. The framework is designed to be used with Adobe Flex® or Adobe Flash Professional and is included in Flex 4, code named “Gumbo”.

Go .. Give a TRY  !!

As usual, I was just going through my subscribed feeds. Something flashed  related to >>>> Adobe  >>> Multitouch  >>> Experience Design   >>>   XD

Oh my god … a new game has been kicked off by the Adobe guys. Welcome to the era of multitouch applications developed using Adobe platform. It’s the Adobe XD. Experience Design.

– Develop in Flex and play around with your fingers using the Multitouch interface.

– Design images on Photoshop CS 4 using your hands.

– Richer experience when you use ATM’s, Kiosks etc.,

– It’s like a merge between Hardware, Industrial design and Software

Let’s see what they say from the Adobe XD team about this Hot and Flexy technology :

“We create smart, sophisticated applications for a wide variety of devices, from desktop computers to laptops to mobile phones and beyond.

What brings us together?  Our shared passion for helping users connect with their content.  Our shared commitment to giving both novices and experts powerful tools for creating and engaging with images, videos, multimedia, and everything in between.”

Way to go Adobe

For those who want to refer the Flex Coding Conventions offline, download it in PDF format here.

For those who want to refer online can visit here.

Important :

Copyright @ 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Using them signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use and Online Privacy Policy of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

VFx –> Visual Flex –> Visual Studio Flex –> Visual Studio plugin for Flex development.

A plugin for Microsoft Visual Studio which helps to develop Flex applications for .Net. Pleasure to write about Tofino created by Ensemble. That’s real awesome.

This can never replace the Flex Builder, but can help companies which cannot afford $699.

A brief intro What Ensemble Says about Tofino -

” Ensemble Tofino for Visual Studio is a plugin that enables .NET developers to create Flex front ends for their applications in the same IDE that they normally use. Instead of using a separate text or XML editor and manually invoking the compiler, they can move smoothly between MXML and .NET file types within Visual Studio, and invoke Flex build and run commands from Visual Studio menus. Download Tofino 1.2009.02.10 including Flex SDK (122MB) or Download Tofino 1.2009.02.10 without Flex SDK (4MB)”

We can create, build, debug and release as we normally do in Flex Builder. Can add the regular Flex application types to the Flex project. The folder structure, intellisense, default file launch are included which feels great while coding within Visual Studio IDE.

On a whole, it’s a real treat for VS developers and cost-cutting companies.

For quite a long time I could’nt blog. Busy with my project deliveries, personal outings etc., etc.,

Meanwhile I had created a new Flexified version of my website. Both the ASP and FLEX versions are running LIVE. Check it out and throw back your comments and views. Have updated the RSS Feeds and used Accordion for ShoutBox. Still have a lot to do … lets see.

So now i’m Back on track. !!

Hope i keep posting often from now on.

Google has launched an OpenSource web browser Chrome.  At Google they say that “Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.”

Before getting into my Chroming experience, here’s a sneak preview about Chrome from Google.

Behind the scenes    |   Beautiful Toppings   |  Google Chrome comic demo

This is really interesting !!

Just search for “get flash player” in Google.  The 2nd link on the search results is from the Microsoft site.

It’s not spam or trick … it neatly forwards the URL to Adobe Flash player download center.

What’s happening @ Microsoft ???? Hmnnn something fishy

Scalenine, Adobe, and EffectiveUI are teaming up to sponsor the “Skin to Win” challenge. Designers and Developers are challenged to create their best themes for Adobe Flex with tickets to Adobe MAX, a Macbook AIR, Adobe software and “other great prizes” on the line. Whether you’re an experienced designer or someone looking to break into the industry, this conference is for you.

Using Adobe Creative Suite products, entrants should create new graphical skins for Flex application. Examples of existing skins are available in the Scalenine gallery.

Get everything you need to enter, including templates, trial software and tutorials on the contest homepage – just bring your own creativity.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts from Adobe and EffectiveUI, with entries judged on visual design, quality and uniqueness of the the Flex theme.

The contest is open from yesterday and closes Friday, October 10th, 2008, with winners to be announced the following week. What are you waiting for? Get started!