Re: desktop application
At the risk of being on both sides of an issue, it this case XUL vs Flash, here's an interesting quote: "The open source revolution has done nothing to change the fact that the best-designed, most-intuitive user interfaces are found in closed-source commercial software." This comes form a commentary posted at: http://daringfireball.net/2004/04/spray_on_usability While the post date is suspicious, the article raises several interesting points re freeware vs pay'n'play It's worth the read! HTH Dick On Apr 6, 2004, at 8:40 AM, Dave Watts wrote: > > > XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL > > > runs > > > > potent stuff isnt it? Kinda makes you rethink application > > design and chucks out the window the need to learn flash to > > make a ria. > > Except for the fact that very few people use Mozilla. I use it, and > like it, > but if I wanted to provide an application that everyone could use > without > having to download and install a browser, I'd choose Flash. > > Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software > http://www.figleaf.com/ > phone: 202-797-5496 > fax: 202-797-5444 > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
There y'go Dave, being logical & practical! We do need to remember who lost the browser wars :) There is a tradeoff, however. Flash can do somethings (the smackdown at Fig Leaf comes to mind) that would be difficult with XUL. But for the kinds of things I normally do, Flash is a little heavy, constraining and difficult to develop. (the latter somewhat mitigated by Flex) So I, and my clients have the options: 1) Use your (non-Mozilla) browser of choice for the app and sacrifice performance and UI 2) Use Mozilla for this app and have a better overall user experience (maybe at less development cost). I can just as easily include a Mozilla Dload bug in my app as I can a Flash plugin Bug -- so distro/install of Mozilla is not a problem. I also have some local capabilities in XUL that are not available in Flash. It is possible, just possible, that the additional capabilities/performance of the XUL implementation of the app would make the browser choice incidental (to run that app). I also like the fact that I can develop and host XUL apps with CFMX, and at no additional software costs. XUL is free! I like having the option! HTH Dick On Apr 6, 2004, at 8:40 AM, Dave Watts wrote: > > > XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL > > > runs > > > > potent stuff isnt it? Kinda makes you rethink application > > design and chucks out the window the need to learn flash to > > make a ria. > > Except for the fact that very few people use Mozilla. I use it, and > like it, > but if I wanted to provide an application that everyone could use > without > having to download and install a browser, I'd choose Flash. > > Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software > http://www.figleaf.com/ > phone: 202-797-5496 > fax: 202-797-5444 > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
I'm not sure how far it's gotten, but there is the XRE: XUL Runtime Environment, so you can have standalone apps without bundling (or requiring) Mozilla. http://www.mozilla.org/projects/xul/xre.html -- Howard Fore, [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Apr 6, 2004, at 11:40 AM, Dave Watts wrote: > Except for the fact that very few people use Mozilla. I use it, and > like it, > but if I wanted to provide an application that everyone could use > without > having to download and install a browser, I'd choose Flash. [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
> > XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL > > runs > > potent stuff isnt it? Kinda makes you rethink application > design and chucks out the window the need to learn flash to > make a ria. Except for the fact that very few people use Mozilla. I use it, and like it, but if I wanted to provide an application that everyone could use without having to download and install a browser, I'd choose Flash. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ phone: 202-797-5496 fax: 202-797-5444 [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Yes, Andre -- and thanks to your prior response to this thread for suggesting XUL On Apr 5, 2004, at 10:07 AM, Andre Turrettini wrote: > Check out xul. You can write an application in and write a delimited > file > to the harddrive each time someone enters their email. Its kind fo > an xml > _javascript_ approach to writing web apps. Similar to the approach > used by > longhorn and breeze. Its got a pretty sick grid bult in. I dont > think its > much harder than using the hta and fso in ie and when the computer is > eventually connected, just upload it to your cf or php > server. requires > mozilla but that should be ok on a mac. I don't yet understand all I know about it, but I like what I see. It gives you much more control of the DOM than DHMTL ever did, and it works predictably. Coding XUL is different, but not much more difficult than HTML --- though a better tutorial would help. Tags are XML so they are more verbose than HTML, but that should be offset by fewer, more powerful tags. One thing I really like is that the developer has complete control of the entire page real estate. We are not limited to a fixed portion of the page for a Java Applet or Flash Movie (Though we can contain these and html too, if desired). I guess that we as developers have another option for developing platform-independent RIAs and RIDs (Rich Interface Desktop Applications) Dick On Apr 6, 2004, at 8:06 AM, Andre Turrettini wrote: > potent stuff isnt it? Kinda makes you rethink application design and > chucks > out the window the need to learn flash to make a ria. > DRE > > -Original Message- > From: Dick Applebaum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 4:31 AM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: Re: desktop application > > I have been googling and playing with XUL for several hours and I am > impressed with what it (you) can do. > > XUL has been out there for a while --- guess I just missed it. > > Here's a start (a little dated): > > http://www.sitepoint.com/article/xul-nets-biggest-secret-1 > > XUL is a framework for creating a UI and writing application > programs. > > These programs can be launched and run from a local hard disk or from > a > web server (or both) > > XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL runs > > XUL provides a consistent UI and program execution > > The above 2 points are similar to Flash advantages > > A XUL program can read and write (with user permission) to the local > file system. > > A XUL program can (by itself) consume web services. > > There are XUL extensions that can directly interface a local SQL > database (currently Postgres and MySQL) > > There are XUL extensions that can execute local programs and scripts > in > C++, Python, Ruby and Perl, with PHP coming -- these are > programs/scripts running on the local machine > > So, I guess it is possible, today, to write a desktop application to > meet the objectives of the originator of this thread: > > You can easily write an XUL app that: > > 1) Runs on the desktop > > 2) Allows people to enter their email addresses (a simple form) > > 3) Saves it (the data from each form submission) to a [local] text > or XML file > > 4) Uploads the file to web server and parsed into the database > > In the near future, you should have the option of parsing the data > with > a local php program and storing the data in a local database -- this > would allow data validation, check for duplicates, etc. > > Actually, you can do this now using a combination of _javascript_ and > XUL > extensions. But, it will be easier with PHP. > > What would really be nice if you could use CFMX as the local scripting > language and db interface... yeah, that would really be nice... > > HTH > > Dick > >> From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM >> To: CF-Talk >> Subject: SOT: desktop application >> >> I have a question about what the best practice would be for > creating a >> desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and > they >> all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also > have >> some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up > for > the >> email list. I was considering building an app that would run on > a >> desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address > and >> write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the >> webserver
RE: desktop application
potent stuff isnt it? Kinda makes you rethink application design and chucks out the window the need to learn flash to make a ria. DRE -Original Message- From: Dick Applebaum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 4:31 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application I have been googling and playing with XUL for several hours and I am impressed with what it (you) can do. XUL has been out there for a while --- guess I just missed it. Here's a start (a little dated): http://www.sitepoint.com/article/xul-nets-biggest-secret-1 XUL is a framework for creating a UI and writing application programs. These programs can be launched and run from a local hard disk or from a web server (or both) XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL runs XUL provides a consistent UI and program execution The above 2 points are similar to Flash advantages A XUL program can read and write (with user permission) to the local file system. A XUL program can (by itself) consume web services. There are XUL extensions that can directly interface a local SQL database (currently Postgres and MySQL) There are XUL extensions that can execute local programs and scripts in C++, Python, Ruby and Perl, with PHP coming -- these are programs/scripts running on the local machine So, I guess it is possible, today, to write a desktop application to meet the objectives of the originator of this thread: You can easily write an XUL app that: 1) Runs on the desktop 2) Allows people to enter their email addresses (a simple form) 3) Saves it (the data from each form submission) to a [local] text or XML file 4) Uploads the file to web server and parsed into the database In the near future, you should have the option of parsing the data with a local php program and storing the data in a local database -- this would allow data validation, check for duplicates, etc. Actually, you can do this now using a combination of _javascript_ and XUL extensions. But, it will be easier with PHP. What would really be nice if you could use CFMX as the local scripting language and db interface... yeah, that would really be nice... HTH Dick > From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was > thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a > file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > > _ _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
I have been googling and playing with XUL for several hours and I am impressed with what it (you) can do. XUL has been out there for a while --- guess I just missed it. Here's a start (a little dated): http://www.sitepoint.com/article/xul-nets-biggest-secret-1 XUL is a framework for creating a UI and writing application programs. These programs can be launched and run from a local hard disk or from a web server (or both) XUL is platform independent -- anywhere Mozilla runs, XUL runs XUL provides a consistent UI and program execution The above 2 points are similar to Flash advantages A XUL program can read and write (with user permission) to the local file system. A XUL program can (by itself) consume web services. There are XUL extensions that can directly interface a local SQL database (currently Postgres and MySQL) There are XUL extensions that can execute local programs and scripts in C++, Python, Ruby and Perl, with PHP coming -- these are programs/scripts running on the local machine So, I guess it is possible, today, to write a desktop application to meet the objectives of the originator of this thread: You can easily write an XUL app that: 1) Runs on the desktop 2) Allows people to enter their email addresses (a simple form) 3) Saves it (the data from each form submission) to a [local] text or XML file 4) Uploads the file to web server and parsed into the database In the near future, you should have the option of parsing the data with a local php program and storing the data in a local database -- this would allow data validation, check for duplicates, etc. Actually, you can do this now using a combination of _javascript_ and XUL extensions. But, it will be easier with PHP. What would really be nice if you could use CFMX as the local scripting language and db interface... yeah, that would really be nice... HTH Dick > From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was > thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a > file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >_ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
XUL is Cool! I went thru the tutorial. Nice snappy interface. Somehow I missed the file writing the grid. Got a URL for filewriting and the grid? Woks fine on a Mac in Moziilla and FireFox TIA Dick On Apr 5, 2004, at 10:07 AM, Andre Turrettini wrote: > Check out xul. You can write an application in and write a delimited > file > to the harddrive each time someone enters their email. Its kind fo > an xml > _javascript_ approach to writing web apps. Similar to the approach > used by > longhorn and breeze. Its got a pretty sick grid bult in. I dont > think its > much harder than using the hta and fso in ie and when the computer is > eventually connected, just upload it to your cf or php > server. requires > mozilla but that should be ok on a mac. > > > DRE > > -Original Message- > From: Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 9:51 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: desktop application > > On Fri, 2004-04-02 at 20:27, Jim Davis wrote: > > Take a look at the HTA application framework from Microsoft (go to > > masdn.microsoft.com and choose "library", then choose "Web > Technologies" > > then "HTA"). I've been using it recently and it's pretty sweet. > > I think he said it has to work on Mac. Does that work on Mac? > > -- > Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >_ > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Check out xul. You can write an application in and write a delimited file to the harddrive each time someone enters their email. Its kind fo an xml _javascript_ approach to writing web apps. Similar to the approach used by longhorn and breeze. Its got a pretty sick grid bult in. I dont think its much harder than using the hta and fso in ie and when the computer is eventually connected, just upload it to your cf or php server. requires mozilla but that should be ok on a mac. DRE -Original Message- From: Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 9:51 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: desktop application On Fri, 2004-04-02 at 20:27, Jim Davis wrote: > Take a look at the HTA application framework from Microsoft (go to > masdn.microsoft.com and choose "library", then choose "Web Technologies" > then "HTA"). I've been using it recently and it's pretty sweet. I think he said it has to work on Mac. Does that work on Mac? -- Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Yeah, this looks good --- except it is windows only. The original poster wanted something for the Mac, too. Dick On Apr 5, 2004, at 1:24 AM, Arden Weiss wrote: > If you want to stick with a flavor of CFML, there is a budding product > out of Toronto called CORAL that permits building CFML-based apps on a > local machine just like you would build a VB or whatever app locally > and use whatever backend database you want. For more details go to: > http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
If you want to stick with a flavor of CFML, there is a budding product out of Toronto called CORAL that permits building CFML-based apps on a local machine just like you would build a VB or whatever app locally and use whatever backend database you want. For more details go to: http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Dave Watts wrote: > > > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) > > > > > ~cough~ bluedragon > > Thats what CFAnywhere became. > > CFAnywhere was a product of Live Software, the makers of Jrun, who were > purchased by Allaire. Yeah - remember now - getting tagservlet and cfanywhere mixed up. Regards Stephen [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
> Unfortuately doesn't really help John with a cross-platform > desktop application. Yeah I know it should run everywhere, > but nothing is ever quite that simple and in this instance > cf/php/etc are all a little on the heavy side. Mini flash app > should be more than sufficient. (he says sticking to the thread) I agree with Stephen here - server-side technologies (CF/PHP/etc) are far more complex than necessary, and don't provide a useful way to build a GUI either. If Flash doesn't cut it, though, there are cross-platform languages and tools that will, such as Python and wxWindows together. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ phone: 202-797-5496 fax: 202-797-5444 [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
> > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) > > > ~cough~ bluedragon > Thats what CFAnywhere became. CFAnywhere was a product of Live Software, the makers of Jrun, who were purchased by Allaire. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ phone: 202-797-5496 fax: 202-797-5444 [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Sure he could -- but it sounds like he is doing this for artistic people as well as business people. I suspect that the artists are the ones with the Macs, and that they would not tolerate the imposition of the windows desktop. I use a Mac and, yes, VPC when necessary -- I just can't/won't use windows unless there is no other alternative, IMO, there is just no comparison (no flames please -- I said IMO) The original post is below. HTH Dick From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns On Apr 3, 2004, at 5:17 PM, Brad Roberts wrote: > Don't think so... but I'm sure he could use Virtual PC? > http://www.apple.com/macosx/applications/virtualpc/ > > -Brad >-Original Message- >From: Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 6:23 PM >To: CF-Talk >Subject: RE: desktop application > >On Sat, 2004-04-03 at 10:00, Brad Roberts wrote: >> Re-posting Steve Nelson's suggestion: >> >> ... CFML on the desktop... > http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm > ...Looks >> pretty powerful > >I though he said it needed to run on Mac. Does that run on Mac? > >-- >Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Don't think so... but I'm sure he could use Virtual PC? http://www.apple.com/macosx/applications/virtualpc/ -Brad -Original Message- From: Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 6:23 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: desktop application On Sat, 2004-04-03 at 10:00, Brad Roberts wrote: > Re-posting Steve Nelson's suggestion: > > ... CFML on the desktop... http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm ...Looks > pretty powerful I though he said it needed to run on Mac. Does that run on Mac? -- Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
On Sat, 2004-04-03 at 10:00, Brad Roberts wrote: > Re-posting Steve Nelson's suggestion: > > ... CFML on the desktop... http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm ...Looks > pretty powerful I though he said it needed to run on Mac. Does that run on Mac? -- Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Yes it does however win only On Apr 3, 2004, at 10:00 AM, Brad Roberts wrote: > Re-posting Steve Nelson's suggestion: > > ... CFML on the desktop... http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm > ...Looks > pretty powerful > > -Brad > >-Original Message- >From: Dick Applebaum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 12:02 PM > To: CF-Talk >Subject: Re: desktop application > >Unless I am mistaken, the company that made cfAnywhere was > purchased by >Allaire & cfAnywhare became JRun > >I have always felt that CF would be very good for ad hoc desktop > apps. > >With the advent of the initial version of CFMX and its integrated > JRun, >and integrated RDBMS (PointBase) it seemed that everything existed > in a >single pkg to easily do this --- and it was a rather trivial > install. > >The latest versions of CFMX perform much better, compile directly to >Java bytecode. so performance is greatly improved. There is a > looser >integration with JRun (more install options) and a somewhat more >difficult install. > >But, it's still all right there in a single package. I can write >desktop apps with CFMX that access the web, local databases, local >files, execute other programs or scripts, yadda, yadda, yadda, > >I can use the familiar HTML Browser as a front end and UI. Or, I > can >use a RIA with Flash or Robs PIA front end. > >When you do web development and testing on a single machine, as I > do, >every CF application is a desktop application. > >Some apps I write, never go beyond localhost -- these in effect, are >desktop only CF apps. > >But more often than not, I need to combine dynamic local data (from >files, databases, other desktop applications) with other dynamic > data >available on the web. Then a combo Desktop/Web app is in order. > >A good example of a combo app is a status monitor where local >historical data is combined with dynamic data from the web. Some >examples might be: > >--- monitoring the status of multiple web servers >--- monitoring stock portfolios * >--- tracking shipments >--- monitoring sales leads & tele-marketing > >* The stock portfolio app is one that I use daily -- during market >hours it shows me how my stocks are performing with real-time data > from >the web. It alerts me of stocks that need attention by combining > the >web data with local data that contains (buy/sell) thresholds I have > set >and other position information (purchase price, days held) that may >have tax implications. > >Given an ideal world I could write quite a nice cross-platform, >self-contained desktop(or combo) app in CFMX and have trial versions >available (for download and/or on CD) that would self install >(including, CFMX, JRun, DB) or be run from CD. (Of course, in the >ideal world, licensing and pricing of the integrated products would > be >changed to satisfy the needs of this broader market). > >I wish I could do that! > >Dick > >On Apr 3, 2004, at 7:34 AM, Stephen Moretti wrote: > >> Dick Applebaum wrote: >> >> > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) >> > >> ~cough~ bluedragon >> Thats what CFAnywhere became. Plus you're showing your age now >> Dick.. ;) >> >> Unfortuately doesn't really help John with a cross-platform > desktop >> application. Yeah I know it should run everywhere, but nothing > is >> ever >> quite that simple and in this instance cf/php/etc are all a > little on >> the heavy side. Mini flash app should be more than sufficient. > (he >> says >> sticking to the thread) >> >> Stephen >> > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
How about MS Access? You could then FTP the file to a server where you could use a linked table to access the email addresses, etc.. Mike > -Original Message- > From: Andrew Tyrone [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 10:04 AM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: desktop application > > How about PHP? Blasphemy, yes, but a simple solution. It > doesn't sound > like you need some fancy, glorified interface to collect > email addresses. > Then you get to dabble in something different (if you haven't used it > already) and charge for it to boot! > > Andy > > -Original Message- > From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I > was thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write > to a file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > > > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Re-posting Steve Nelson's suggestion: ... CFML on the desktop... http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm ...Looks pretty powerful -Brad -Original Message- From: Dick Applebaum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 12:02 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application Unless I am mistaken, the company that made cfAnywhere was purchased by Allaire & cfAnywhare became JRun I have always felt that CF would be very good for ad hoc desktop apps. With the advent of the initial version of CFMX and its integrated JRun, and integrated RDBMS (PointBase) it seemed that everything existed in a single pkg to easily do this --- and it was a rather trivial install. The latest versions of CFMX perform much better, compile directly to Java bytecode. so performance is greatly improved. There is a looser integration with JRun (more install options) and a somewhat more difficult install. But, it's still all right there in a single package. I can write desktop apps with CFMX that access the web, local databases, local files, execute other programs or scripts, yadda, yadda, yadda, I can use the familiar HTML Browser as a front end and UI. Or, I can use a RIA with Flash or Robs PIA front end. When you do web development and testing on a single machine, as I do, every CF application is a desktop application. Some apps I write, never go beyond localhost -- these in effect, are desktop only CF apps. But more often than not, I need to combine dynamic local data (from files, databases, other desktop applications) with other dynamic data available on the web. Then a combo Desktop/Web app is in order. A good example of a combo app is a status monitor where local historical data is combined with dynamic data from the web. Some examples might be: --- monitoring the status of multiple web servers --- monitoring stock portfolios * --- tracking shipments --- monitoring sales leads & tele-marketing * The stock portfolio app is one that I use daily -- during market hours it shows me how my stocks are performing with real-time data from the web. It alerts me of stocks that need attention by combining the web data with local data that contains (buy/sell) thresholds I have set and other position information (purchase price, days held) that may have tax implications. Given an ideal world I could write quite a nice cross-platform, self-contained desktop(or combo) app in CFMX and have trial versions available (for download and/or on CD) that would self install (including, CFMX, JRun, DB) or be run from CD. (Of course, in the ideal world, licensing and pricing of the integrated products would be changed to satisfy the needs of this broader market). I wish I could do that! Dick On Apr 3, 2004, at 7:34 AM, Stephen Moretti wrote: > Dick Applebaum wrote: > > > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) > > > ~cough~ bluedragon > Thats what CFAnywhere became. Plus you're showing your age now > Dick.. ;) > > Unfortuately doesn't really help John with a cross-platform desktop > application. Yeah I know it should run everywhere, but nothing is > ever > quite that simple and in this instance cf/php/etc are all a little on > the heavy side. Mini flash app should be more than sufficient. (he > says > sticking to the thread) > > Stephen > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Unless I am mistaken, the company that made cfAnywhere was purchased by Allaire & cfAnywhare became JRun I have always felt that CF would be very good for ad hoc desktop apps. With the advent of the initial version of CFMX and its integrated JRun, and integrated RDBMS (PointBase) it seemed that everything existed in a single pkg to easily do this --- and it was a rather trivial install. The latest versions of CFMX perform much better, compile directly to Java bytecode. so performance is greatly improved. There is a looser integration with JRun (more install options) and a somewhat more difficult install. But, it's still all right there in a single package. I can write desktop apps with CFMX that access the web, local databases, local files, execute other programs or scripts, yadda, yadda, yadda, I can use the familiar HTML Browser as a front end and UI. Or, I can use a RIA with Flash or Robs PIA front end. When you do web development and testing on a single machine, as I do, every CF application is a desktop application. Some apps I write, never go beyond localhost -- these in effect, are desktop only CF apps. But more often than not, I need to combine dynamic local data (from files, databases, other desktop applications) with other dynamic data available on the web. Then a combo Desktop/Web app is in order. A good example of a combo app is a status monitor where local historical data is combined with dynamic data from the web. Some examples might be: --- monitoring the status of multiple web servers --- monitoring stock portfolios * --- tracking shipments --- monitoring sales leads & tele-marketing * The stock portfolio app is one that I use daily -- during market hours it shows me how my stocks are performing with real-time data from the web. It alerts me of stocks that need attention by combining the web data with local data that contains (buy/sell) thresholds I have set and other position information (purchase price, days held) that may have tax implications. Given an ideal world I could write quite a nice cross-platform, self-contained desktop(or combo) app in CFMX and have trial versions available (for download and/or on CD) that would self install (including, CFMX, JRun, DB) or be run from CD. (Of course, in the ideal world, licensing and pricing of the integrated products would be changed to satisfy the needs of this broader market). I wish I could do that! Dick On Apr 3, 2004, at 7:34 AM, Stephen Moretti wrote: > Dick Applebaum wrote: > > > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) > > > ~cough~ bluedragon > Thats what CFAnywhere became. Plus you're showing your age now > Dick.. ;) > > Unfortuately doesn't really help John with a cross-platform desktop > application. Yeah I know it should run everywhere, but nothing is > ever > quite that simple and in this instance cf/php/etc are all a little on > the heavy side. Mini flash app should be more than sufficient. (he > says > sticking to the thread) > > Stephen > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Dick Applebaum wrote: > ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) > ~cough~ bluedragon Thats what CFAnywhere became. Plus you're showing your age now Dick.. ;) Unfortuately doesn't really help John with a cross-platform desktop application. Yeah I know it should run everywhere, but nothing is ever quite that simple and in this instance cf/php/etc are all a little on the heavy side. Mini flash app should be more than sufficient. (he says sticking to the thread) Stephen [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
How about PHP? Blasphemy, yes, but a simple solution. It doesn't sound like you need some fancy, glorified interface to collect email addresses. Then you get to dabble in something different (if you haven't used it already) and charge for it to boot! Andy -Original Message- From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Ooops - my bad. I don't think so. even if it did the system objects that make it truly useful wouldn't be there. But for Windows it's still sweet. ;^) Jim Davis _ From: Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:51 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: desktop application On Fri, 2004-04-02 at 20:27, Jim Davis wrote: > Take a look at the HTA application framework from Microsoft (go to > masdn.microsoft.com and choose "library", then choose "Web Technologies" > then "HTA"). I've been using it recently and it's pretty sweet. I think he said it has to work on Mac. Does that work on Mac? -- Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
On Fri, 2004-04-02 at 20:27, Jim Davis wrote: > Take a look at the HTA application framework from Microsoft (go to > masdn.microsoft.com and choose "library", then choose "Web Technologies" > then "HTA"). I've been using it recently and it's pretty sweet. I think he said it has to work on Mac. Does that work on Mac? -- Rob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Take a look at the HTA application framework from Microsoft (go to masdn.microsoft.com and choose "library", then choose "Web Technologies" then "HTA"). I've been using it recently and it's pretty sweet. Basically all it is a single tag that informs IE to open in an "application mode" - no browser chrome, right click, menu, etc and gives it the same system access as any other application - you can (using _javascript_ and COM objects) call web pages, write to the file system or system registry, access hardware resources (scanners, cameras, etc) and whatnot. The applications themselves are built totally in IE using HTML/DHTML/CSS/Script/etc - all the web technologies that you know and love. You can embed Flash (or other plugins) into the app just like you would in any web page. Really fun stuff. Jim Davis _ From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Actually, although I found my solution in SharedObjects, I did find an
example online that will let you write to a text file straight through
Flash. It uses the following line to write the file:
fscommand("writeToDisk", textBox);
It says it only works on Windows, so I'm assuming the "writetodisk"
command is something that only is supposed in the windows version of
flash. Just thought I'd share.
John
-Original Message-
From: Darron J. Schall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 4:05 PM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: Re: desktop application
> No, I understand how to get from XML to the DB, but if the Flash file
> is running directly on a client machine (CF not installed and no
> internet
> connection) how do I get Flash to write the input to a text or xml
> file for upload later?
You can't get Flash to save a .txt file on the client on it's own. To
do that, you'll need a 3rd party projector creator (Something SWF
Studio, Flash Jester, or ScreenWeaver). ScreenWeaver is my
projector-creator of choice.
Then, each projector creator offers an ActionScript API to enable some
"advanced" features like writing to a text file. In ScreenWeaver, you
could do something like this:
var fileName = "something.txt"
var contents = "Hey, this is what should be placed in the file"; var
bAppend = false; // don't append if the file already exists
function onFileSave(success) {
if (success) {
// file saved ok
} else {
// file could not be saved
}
}
swFile.saveString(fileName, contents, bAppend, onFileSave);
The other option, if you don't want to go the 3rd party route, is to
uses Shared Objects in Flash (requires Flash MX). You can do this
natively in Flash, but it won't create a text file.. it creates a binary
file that you can read in later.
Shared Objects look like this:
myData = SharedObject.getLocal("someData");
if (myData.data.content.length) {
// content stored.. we can retrieve the value by referencing:
myData.data.content
}
// set some data
myData.data.content = "This is some text to save for later";
myData.flush(); // write the contents immediately
Good luck..
-d
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Re: desktop application
ahhh ... if only we had CFAnywhere. :) On Apr 2, 2004, at 12:16 PM, Steve Nelson wrote: > I don't have a lot of experience with this tool, but you could try > Coral Web > Builder. http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm it's basically a > stripped > down CFML on the desktop. Looks pretty powerful. > > Steve Nelson > >_ > > From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was > thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a > file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >_ > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
> No, I understand how to get from XML to the DB, but if the Flash file is
> running directly on a client machine (CF not installed and no internet
> connection) how do I get Flash to write the input to a text or xml file
> for upload later?
You can't get Flash to save a .txt file on the client on it's own. To do
that, you'll need a 3rd party projector creator (Something SWF Studio, Flash
Jester, or ScreenWeaver). ScreenWeaver is my projector-creator of choice.
Then, each projector creator offers an ActionScript API to enable some
"advanced" features like writing to a text file. In ScreenWeaver, you could
do something like this:
var fileName = "something.txt"
var contents = "Hey, this is what should be placed in the file";
var bAppend = false; // don't append if the file already exists
function onFileSave(success) {
if (success) {
// file saved ok
} else {
// file could not be saved
}
}
swFile.saveString(fileName, contents, bAppend, onFileSave);
The other option, if you don't want to go the 3rd party route, is to uses
Shared Objects in Flash (requires Flash MX). You can do this natively in
Flash, but it won't create a text file.. it creates a binary file that you
can read in later.
Shared Objects look like this:
myData = SharedObject.getLocal("someData");
if (myData.data.content.length) {
// content stored.. we can retrieve the value by referencing:
myData.data.content
}
// set some data
myData.data.content = "This is some text to save for later";
myData.flush(); // write the contents immediately
Good luck..
-d
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Re: desktop application
when you say xml file... you mean xml structure in a shared object through right? or is there some big security flaw in flash that allows it to write files to the HD outside of the shared objects? -adam > -Original Message- > From: Bryan Stevenson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 2, 2004 08:49 PM > To: 'CF-Talk' > Subject: Re: desktop application > > The client machine will HAVE TO connect to the net for this to happen. It can detect the connection...when it does it can call a remote web service to "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" as I so eloquently put it ;-) > > Of course any solution with remote unconnected clients will eventually require a connection to "phone home" to get the data > > Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. > VP & Director of E-Commerce Development > Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. > t. 250.920.8830 > e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > - > Macromedia Associate Partner > www.macromedia.com > - > Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group > Founder & Director > www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 12:39 PM > Subject: RE: desktop application > > > No, I understand how to get from XML to the DB, but if the Flash file is > running directly on a client machine (CF not installed and no internet > connection) how do I get Flash to write the input to a text or xml file > for upload later? > > John > > -Original Message- > From: Brook Davies [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:41 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: Re: desktop application > > "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" > > Bryan, your getting way too technical man. I'm having trouble following > all > of this high tech terminology! ;) > > Brook > > At 12:04 PM 4/2/2004, you wrote: > > >Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector > >(.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the > >registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the > >XML file and stuff it in the DB > > > >Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. > >VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group > >Inc. > >t. 250.920.8830 > >e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >- > >Macromedia Associate Partner > >www.macromedia.com > >- > >Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director > >www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > > - Original Message - > > From: Burns, John D > > To: CF-Talk > > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating > a > > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and > they > > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for > the > > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > > webserver and parsed into the database. > > > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was > thinking > > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a > file > > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a > pc. > > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > > > John Burns > > > >-- > >[Todays Threads] > >[This Message] > >[Subscription] > >[ > >Fast > > Unsubscribe] [User Settings] > > > >-- > > > >[] > > > > > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Not AFAIK Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: brobborb To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 12:45 PM Subject: Re: desktop application Wait, are these computers connected to the server, or not? - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:28 PM Subject: RE: desktop application I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but then I would have no way of writing the text file, unless I had a scripting language installed (like CF) but I want to make this very user friendly and as close to dummy-proof as possible. John Burns -Original Message- From: brobborb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:03 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application why not just design it in IE, have it fill up the whole screen, use some flash elements to make it looks flashy or nice or whatever, but use regular ol' HTML forms - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 1:58 PM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
The client machine will HAVE TO connect to the net for this to happen. It can detect the connection...when it does it can call a remote web service to "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" as I so eloquently put it ;-) Of course any solution with remote unconnected clients will eventually require a connection to "phone home" to get the data Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 12:39 PM Subject: RE: desktop application No, I understand how to get from XML to the DB, but if the Flash file is running directly on a client machine (CF not installed and no internet connection) how do I get Flash to write the input to a text or xml file for upload later? John -Original Message- From: Brook Davies [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:41 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" Bryan, your getting way too technical man. I'm having trouble following all of this high tech terminology! ;) Brook At 12:04 PM 4/2/2004, you wrote: >Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector >(.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the >registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the >XML file and stuff it in the DB > >Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. >VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group >Inc. >t. 250.920.8830 >e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >- >Macromedia Associate Partner >www.macromedia.com >- >Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director >www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >-- >[Todays Threads] >[This Message] >[Subscription] >[ >Fast > Unsubscribe] [User Settings] > >-- > >[] > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Wait, are these computers connected to the server, or not? - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:28 PM Subject: RE: desktop application I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but then I would have no way of writing the text file, unless I had a scripting language installed (like CF) but I want to make this very user friendly and as close to dummy-proof as possible. John Burns -Original Message- From: brobborb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:03 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application why not just design it in IE, have it fill up the whole screen, use some flash elements to make it looks flashy or nice or whatever, but use regular ol' HTML forms - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 1:58 PM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
LOLit's Friday and a weekend of freestyle jet skiing awaits...what can I say ;-) Cheers Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Brook Davies To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 12:41 PM Subject: Re: desktop application "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" Bryan, your getting way too technical man. I'm having trouble following all of this high tech terminology! ;) Brook At 12:04 PM 4/2/2004, you wrote: >Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector (.exe >file on computer in question). The app could store the registrations in >an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the XML file and stuff >it in the DB > >Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. >VP & Director of E-Commerce Development >Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. >t. 250.920.8830 >e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >- >Macromedia Associate Partner >www.macromedia.com >- >Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group >Founder & Director >www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >-- >[Todays Threads] >[This Message] >[Subscription] >[Fast > Unsubscribe] [User Settings] > >-- > >[] > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Well you'd sign up for a decent Flash forumbuy a book...learn Flash and it's methods of writing to files without an application server ;-) There is a definite learning curve here...and a couple of simple lines aren't gonna make it less painful ;-) It's been a while since I playe with Flash MX...but I'm sure there are easier way...better components than when I played last. You could also build a client/server app with something like Sybase's PowerBuilderwould run off a local database.. Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 12:27 PM Subject: RE: desktop application Ok, but how do I actually write to that xml file? I know flash can read, but is there a method for writing to an xml file? John Burns -Original Message- From: Bryan Stevenson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:04 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector (.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
No, I understand how to get from XML to the DB, but if the Flash file is running directly on a client machine (CF not installed and no internet connection) how do I get Flash to write the input to a text or xml file for upload later? John -Original Message- From: Brook Davies [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:41 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application "suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" Bryan, your getting way too technical man. I'm having trouble following all of this high tech terminology! ;) Brook At 12:04 PM 4/2/2004, you wrote: >Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector >(.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the >registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the >XML file and stuff it in the DB > >Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. >VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group >Inc. >t. 250.920.8830 >e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >- >Macromedia Associate Partner >www.macromedia.com >- >Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director >www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >-- >[Todays Threads] >[This Message] >[Subscription] >[ >Fast > Unsubscribe] [User Settings] > >-- > >[] > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
"suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB" Bryan, your getting way too technical man. I'm having trouble following all of this high tech terminology! ;) Brook At 12:04 PM 4/2/2004, you wrote: >Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector (.exe >file on computer in question). The app could store the registrations in >an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the XML file and stuff >it in the DB > >Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. >VP & Director of E-Commerce Development >Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. >t. 250.920.8830 >e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >- >Macromedia Associate Partner >www.macromedia.com >- >Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group >Founder & Director >www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > John Burns > >-- >[Todays Threads] >[This Message] >[Subscription] >[Fast > Unsubscribe] [User Settings] > >-- > >[] > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
JB, Just store everything in the shared objects (flash cookies) and do a sync when the compuetr is online via remoting or xml. -adam > -Original Message- > From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 2, 2004 08:27 PM > To: 'CF-Talk' > Subject: RE: desktop application > > Ok, but how do I actually write to that xml file? I know flash can > read, but is there a method for writing to an xml file? > > John Burns > > -Original Message- > From: Bryan Stevenson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:04 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: Re: desktop application > > Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector > (.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the > registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the > XML file and stuff it in the DB > > Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. > VP & Director of E-Commerce Development > Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. > t. 250.920.8830 > e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > - > Macromedia Associate Partner > www.macromedia.com > - > Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group > Founder & Director > www.cfug-vancouverisland.com > - Original Message - > From: Burns, John D > To: CF-Talk > Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM > Subject: SOT: desktop application > > > I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a > desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they > all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have > some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the > email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a > desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and > write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the > webserver and parsed into the database. > > > My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was > thinking > of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a > file > from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. > Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > > John Burns > > > > > [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but then I would have no way of writing the text file, unless I had a scripting language installed (like CF) but I want to make this very user friendly and as close to dummy-proof as possible. John Burns -Original Message- From: brobborb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:03 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application why not just design it in IE, have it fill up the whole screen, use some flash elements to make it looks flashy or nice or whatever, but use regular ol' HTML forms - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 1:58 PM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
Ok, but how do I actually write to that xml file? I know flash can read, but is there a method for writing to an xml file? John Burns -Original Message- From: Bryan Stevenson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 3:04 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: desktop application Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector (.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: desktop application
I don't have a lot of experience with this tool, but you could try Coral Web Builder. http://www.pcaonline.com/coral/index.cfm it's basically a stripped down CFML on the desktop. Looks pretty powerful. Steve Nelson _ From: Burns, John D [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 2:58 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
why not just design it in IE, have it fill up the whole screen, use some flash elements to make it looks flashy or nice or whatever, but use regular ol' HTML forms - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 1:58 PM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: desktop application
Yep you could build a standalone Flash app that runs as a projector (.exe file on computer in question). The app could store the registrations in an XML filelater you can suck the data out of the XML file and stuff it in the DB Bryan Stevenson B.Comm. VP & Director of E-Commerce Development Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. t. 250.920.8830 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Macromedia Associate Partner www.macromedia.com - Vancouver Island ColdFusion Users Group Founder & Director www.cfug-vancouverisland.com - Original Message - From: Burns, John D To: CF-Talk Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 11:58 AM Subject: SOT: desktop application I have a question about what the best practice would be for creating a desktop application. I do websites for some different bands, and they all have an e-mail sign-up on their website. Most of them also have some kind of a paper sign-up at concerts for people to sign up for the email list. I was considering building an app that would run on a desktop to allow people at concerts to enter their email address and write it to a text or xml file that could then be uploaded to the webserver and parsed into the database. My question is what would be the best method to do this? I was thinking of doing the front end in Flash but I'm not sure how to write to a file from there. In theory, this app would need to work on a mac and a pc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. John Burns [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
