> it seems creative and analytical/math/programmatic mindsets > are a bit at odds and seldom in the same package...
I think you're making a mistake in your division, there, though. I'm not especially good with math, myself, but the better Flash programmers tend to be - moving things about the screen typically takes more math than writing business logic does. > As far as process Dave, how much different is it working > with a Flash UI person than another team person who maybe > was doing the UI in HTML? same general requirements and > process? I think it's just as easy, myself. In fact, it's been my experience that while an interface designer might write the HTML that you use as a starting point, as a CF developer you usually end up rewriting most of it (while getting the same sort of effect. On the other hand, when you're working with a Flash front-end, you're out of the interface loop entirely (which is a good place to be, I think). I think it's also important to differentiate interface design from Flash programming, too - you don't have to be good at both, really, and I think that these tasks are better done by two people who specialize in those tasks, rather than one person. This goes back to the creative/analytical division you outlined above - this division does exist, but the Flash programmer needn't be on the creative side of the divide. In the ideal world, I think the "information architect" or business process analyst figures out what the interface (and the back-end implementation) needs to do, the database designer figures out the optimal data design, the interface designer figures out the optimal interface for the task, the Flash programmer implements the GUI, the CF developer implements the business logic, the DBA implements the database and stored procedures. Naturally, in the real world, there's likely to be some overlap, but as things become more complex and more serious, the need for specialization increases. This is true in any industry; why should ours be any different? There will always be a need for generalists, but that need should decrease over time. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ voice: (202) 797-5496 fax: (202) 797-5444 ______________________________________________________________________ Get the mailserver that powers this list at http://www.coolfusion.com FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
