September 30, 2008

Red5 and Flex Basics Part 1 – Keep Track Of Users

In this video I am going to show you the basics of starting your first Red5 java application and we will use Flex to talk to the server and the server will keep track of a list of users that are logged in to the application. As soon as a user closes there browser or leaves the applications page the user will be removed from the applications list of users. This is really helpful for building applications where users are interacting with other users. This could be a Chat or Video application or even an online game where users can play against each other.

Before you can start you will need a couple of things installed. Eclipse with Flex Builder plugin, The Java EE development environment, and finally the Red5 Server Plugin for Eclipse. In the video I will explain a little bit about why you need this setup and where to go to get it but I will not cover installation at all.

I hope you guys enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

Also included is the source files. Red5Tut.zip Red5TutClient.zip

Compiled Red5 App from Tutorial.

Click here to lend your support to: Flash, Flex, and More - Tutorials by Matthew Sloan Wallace and make a donation at www.pledgie.com !

September 27, 2007

Adobe’s Development of Thermo – Web App Development for Designers?

Thermo Logo

So I have been at Adobe MAX 2007 in Chicago all week. The whole experience has been really great. What was even better than that was a sneak peek at a new application that Adobe says that it will be releasing sometime in 2008 – code name “Thermo”.

I can not tell you how excited I was about this app. What is Thermo you ask? Well let me tell you from my perspective what Thermo is….

Just a week before MAX I was finally wanting to write my first project completely in Flex Builder. This was a really really frustrating thing from a design standpoint. I would be what the industry is referring to as a “Devigner” Half Designer / Half Developer. I can write some code when it comes down to it and I really enjoy figuring out the functionality of an app but I have always done all my sites or apps in the Flash IDE and laid them out in Photoshop before I move everything over to Flash for animation and coding.

When it comes to doing a project by setting up your design in Photoshop and then getting that design into Flex Builder….. well …. let’s just say it. IT IS A PAIN IN THE ASS! As far as I am concerned.

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September 11, 2007

New Site Developed For Cincinnati Band Bluf

Bluf Site Screen Shot

About a week or so ago I launched the new Bluf web site. If you have not heard of this band Bluf you should really check them out. Bluf writes their own original music and the bottom line is ….. they know how to rock for sure!

The guys relied on there myspace page for a log time as for their web site, and still maintain a large following on that site. Now that the bad is looking ahead and there needs grew the felt that a flash based web site was the way to go. This gives them the ability to post there music, videos and also have a really interactive site.

On this site they wanted a look that stuck with the theme they had be using on there myspace page, but after getting to know the guys and seeing them play I felt they where edgier than that. I felt that it was important to take the new site a few steps further. Using a lot of distressed textures and elements I was able to design and implement the site in a way that was simple, unique to the Band, and also really show the fans who Bluf really is. From what I could tell the guys where really excited about the look of the new site and seamed to think that I totally nailed the look and feel they where wanting. Of course I had a little help from the guys. They supplied there logo, some pictures and the red tree element was all Bluf’s doing. The red tree and lighter white background was the starting point and as we moved forward it was clear what the site needed. Hop on over and check out the new Bluf Site and shoot the guys an email and let them know what you think. blufmusic.com

Read on to hear more about Bluf.

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