There once was a product named Generator. It was good. Back before cf5
came out, there were some rumors that generator was going to be
intergrated. But alas, it never came to reality.

At this point, I would be really surprised if the next iteration of cf
didn't have some major flash integration. It just seems to make logical
sense, plus the value and benefits are clear.

Only problem is that MM really sucks when it comes to reuseable
components. CFform in cold fusion is a joke to me. I mean, exactly why
do I need 4 pages of javascript to validate my form? Especially when I
can usually rewrite it in under 10 lines. Same goes for the code
Dreamweaver generates, and the UI components in Flash. The UI components
are nice, but not deployable in my standards. Half of them need some
serious optimaization first.

I guess what I'm saying is, if MM did integrate more Flash stuff, I
think I would just find myself not using it, in favor of rolling my own.
Although I'm sure I do not represent the majority.

Matt is right on about CFTree. Other than file access restrictions, it
really should be a flash app. I can't afford to support Java applets.

Adam Wayne Lehman
Web Systems Developer
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Distance Education Division


-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Robertson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2002 11:43 AM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: RE: Linking CF and Flash

Jochem brings up a good point in that cfform's validation features are,
IMHO, worthless.  Whatever it is that replaces cfform, if anything,
needs significant improvement on that score.

I think that its time for CF developers to start looking at using Flash
for components in sites.  Due to bandwidth and other considerations
we're not ready for entirely Flash-driven sites for the general
marketplace, but in my opinion developers should begin exploring - and
responsibly using - the technology.  Macromedia can promote developer
acceptance of Flash in giant steps by integrating Flash components into
CF.  Forget about standards if you like... This is about money, control
and and mindshare.  If Macromedia wants these things, this is the way to
go.  Personally I also think this would be good for the sites we build.

I've often been a vocal opponent of Flash as a design tool, but it has
its place and - in the U.S. market at least - borders on ubiquity.  I'll
vigorously grant that it was evil in 2000.  But I can't justify that
argument as we approach 2003.  

I have one client using Flash for *primary* navigation on five sites.  I
screamed bloody murder about that but was overruled.  Six months of
stats show they're doing extremely well, with almost zero turnaways due
to lack of Flash (and thanks to careful hoarding of bandwidth).  It can
be done so long as you point a gun (figuratively, of course :)) at the
head of the designer.

About those sites - one thing I absolutely can't stand is that I have to
go to that designer for menu system changes (read: fixing his screwups).
CF sells in part as a full-featured solution.  Give CF'ers the ability
to use and produce Flash in at least limited ways and you'll grow your
Flash developer base one heck of a lot more quickly.

Would I use CFTree if it were Flash?  Maybe.  Depends on whether it
works.  I'll never use it as a java applet, as while it and CFGrid offer
wonderful features, experience proves neither can be relied upon to work
on a given browser at a given desk.  Flash can solve that.  Improved
appearance options can give it a broader range of uses.  Same goes for
everything else, methinks.

Happy holidays to all,

--Matt Robertson--
MSB Designs, Inc.
http://mysecretbase.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Christian Cantrell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] 
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 9:18 PM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: Re: Linking CF and Flash


I like the idea, too.  Anyone want to add anything?  How many people  
use the cfform tag now, and how many more people would use it if it  
worked in the manner described below?  And how else would you want it  
to behave?

Would people be more interested in using the cftree tag if it generated

Flash rather than Java?

Just trying to gather a sample.

Christian

On Monday, December 23, 2002, at 05:29 PM, Matt Robertson wrote:

> Christian wrote,
>> Do you mean something like using a cfform tag to generate Flash-based
>> forms?
>
> You know, the more I mull this over the more I really like the idea.
>
> Try this on for size:  A new suite of form input tags (cfflashinput?)

> that has the parms it does now.  Add to it color and sizing options.

> Then, if something needs to be compiled from a fla to an swf, give the

> limited ability to do this in CF Server.  Whatever you do don't put  
> this limited-runtime 'compiler' into Dreamweaver as many don't use it,

> and plus, if I'm using something like Terminal Server to do emergency

> repairs I have to have access to the form generation tools.
>
> CF would store the swf's in a specified folder on the site's web path

> so we don't get into the mapping issues that dog so many cfgrid users;

> especially on shared servers.
>
> Obviously this isn't something that would happen tomorrow.  Just a  
> thought...
>
> --Matt Robertson--
> MSB Designs, Inc.
> http://mysecretbase.com
> 


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