FlashYourWeb

Browsershots

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:03:00 -0400

This is a great new Open Source project that is helping browser compatibility for web interfaces. It's free for all, though a pay service is also available for priority on your "browsershots". I've been using them for about 3 weeks now and it has come in really handy.

What is Browsershots?

Browsershots makes screenshots of your web design in different browsers. It is a free open-source online service created by Johann C. Rocholl. When you submit your web address, it will be added to the job queue. A number of distributed computers will open your website in their browser. Then they will make screenshots and upload them to the central server here.

Sometimes the service gets busy. I am sure it's becoming more popular by the day. You may consider their pay service for faster processing. I've been giving that some thought too.

They have a queue for you to see your Browsershots as they are being processed. With the free service, you may need to extend your queue. Just click the extend button, if your queue is done before the Browsershots are ready for all of your selected OS & browser types.

Tooltips in SlideShowPro

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:00 -0400

I was asked by a client to swap out the button pack in Slideshow Pro for their site, and if possible to add tooltips to the buttons. After searching the forums and discovering this has been a feature request for at least 2yrs. I decided to investigate myself.
Any event you try to attach to the buttons simply get overwritten by ssp, so I tried a method of mouse tracking instead.
I have 3 layers in my fla: actions, my_ssp, and tooltips.
The tooltips layer contains a MovieClip "infoTip" which contains a TextField "infoText"
I had to add a simple "trace(this)" to each button in the pack to get their location.

this.onEnterFrame = isOver;var playBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navDisplayModeBttn_mc.nPC_mc;playBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Play";}, null);var pauseBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navDisplayModeBttn_mc.nPB_mc;pauseBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Pause";}, null);var nextBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navNextBttn_mc;nextBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Next";}, null);var previousBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navPrevBttn_mc;previousBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Previous";}, null);var nextGroupBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navSkipNextBttn_mc;nextGroupBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Next Group";}, null);var previousGroupBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navSkipPrevBttn_mc;previousGroupBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Previous Group";}, null);var normalscreenBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navScreen_mc.sN_mc;normalscreenBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Normalscreen";}, null);var fullscreenBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.navScreen_mc.sF_mc;fullscreenBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Fullscreen";}, null);var galleryBut:MovieClip = my_ssp.sspro_mc.footerBox_mc.navBox_mc.nGalleryBttn_mc;galleryBut.addProperty("displayText", function():String {return "Gallery";}, null);var buttonArray:Array = [playBut, pauseBut, nextBut, previousBut, nextGroupBut, previousGroupBut, normalscreenBut, fullscreenBut, galleryBut];var buttonOver:Boolean = false;function isOver(){	buttonOver = false;	for(i=0; i<buttonArray.length; i++){		var bounds = buttonArray[i].getBounds(_root);		if (_xmouse>bounds.xMin && _xmouse < bounds.xMax && _ymouse > bounds.yMin && _ymouse < bounds.yMax && buttonArray[i]._visible == true){			buttonOver = true;			infoTip.infoText.text = buttonArray[i].displayText;			if(_root._xmouse <= Stage.width/2) {				infoTip._x = Math.round(_root._xmouse + 25);			} else {				infoTip._x = Math.round(_root._xmouse - 15);			}			infoTip._y = Math.round(_root._ymouse - 5);		}	}	infoTip._visible = buttonOver;}

Works with or without button packs.
There should also be an easier/more efficient way to do this, but for now this will do.

Enjoy :)

Example

-s

Preview the Final E2 ProMedia Players

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:59:00 -0400

A happy hello to all FlashYourWeb members! We've been working hard at the new functionality of our polular E2 player. The final release of the player is upcoming and will be sporting a new look. Well, possibly a few new looks. That's really up to the feedback we recieve on the initial design and desired functionality. We are set to release the player early this September.

Our focus for the final version of the E2 has been to incorporate many of the features we've all grown accustom to on the more popular video websites. In addition to functionality, we've been researching compatibility as well. The new Flash Plugin not only supports Flash (FLV) video and MP3 audio, but it also makes use of the extremely popular and reliable AAC audio and AVC (H.264) video codecs. This gives you the opportunity to deliever HD quality video with great audio compression for free! No longer will you need to purchase a license for the On2 Flash Video codec. You'll be able to encode to AVC/AAC directly from QuickTime Pro, Media Coder (PC), and FFmpegX (Mac).

The compatibility of AAC and AVC with our new player will rely on Galleries ability to adjust a file extension for any uploaded .mp4 and .mov media containers. This means that any QuickTime or Mpeg4 video that you upload to Gallery will be able to be played in the new E2 player! Since the Flash Plugin is more widely installed, your site visitors will no longer be required to have QuickTime or a compatible Mpeg4 video player. A few weeks ago, we demonstrated this technology with our current Preview Release of the E2 player. Click here to view. More info on Adobe's site.


	We've created an album to give you a close look at the new player interfaces. You'll find 3 hi-resolution images along with 3 Flash documents showing the mouse over functions for the the navigation. The Gallery item descriptions give further information on functionality. Please remember these are only "mockups" for the preliminary design. Through the feedback we receive, we will be adjusting the player for final release. We would like to hear how you feel about the designs, which one you prefer, and what functionality is most important to you. Most of the recommended features will be in this version, though we are looking into additional functionality which may assist you in generating some advertising revenue for your video Galleries. This functionality will be considered for future updates following the final release. So sound off in the Polls below and in our forums.

What functionality of the E2 is most important to you?


Interface Navigation (Thumbnails)	21.21%
Embed Code	27.27%
Send Mail Link	3.03%
Variable Resolution & Aspect Ratio	15.15%
Sequential Video Advertising (RSS)	0.00%
Pop up ad support (Text)	3.03%
All of the above	30.30%

View other poll questions

33 votes

Which design of the final E2 Player do you like the most?


I like the Quicky.	8.57%
I like the Newzer.	25.71%
I like the Thumber.	31.43%
I want all three.	34.29%

View other poll questions

35 votes

Want to help out?

If you are a Gallery Developer, or are experienced with Flash Action Script 3, we'd love to hear from you.

We are always seeking to build solid relationships with like-minded developers that value the advancement of Gallery, XML, and Flash technologies.


Appreiciate what we're doing with Gallery? Donate $5 to help us cover our costs.

Your Gallery in 3D with PicLens

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:37:00 -0400

A new version of PicLens has recently hit the web. I am pleased to report that it is working very well with images in our install of Gallery v 2.2.5 via our custom RSS technology. We are currently working on supporting the video capabilities in PicLens as well. Hopefully we'll have some more information regarding this fuctionality soon.

Currenlty PicLens offers full support for Firefox and IE 7. Safari is lagging a bit behind, though we expect it to be compatible in the next update from cooliris. At this time PicLens supports Safari 2.0 - 3.0.4. Safari's current release is at 3.1. However, if you are running the latest version of Safari, you can still use the Flash enabled version which offers a great slideshow experience, even if it isn't in 3D. Simply open the "Sidebar" in our Gallery and click "View Slideshow".

We are diligently working on the final release of our upcoming E2 Audio/Video Player. The new player boasts many of the features we've all become familiar with on the web today. Look for a sneak peek at the preliminary designs in the next few days. The final version of the E2 is set to be released in late August.

Click the image above
for an example.

Download RSS generator for Gallery2 to PicLens.

Ask questions about installation and compatibility here.

Oh My! H264/AAC Meets The Executive

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:47:00 -0400

With a little messing around with a simple file extension, you can witness the possibilities of the power of the new Flash Plugin combined with The Executive media player. Though our current installation of Catalog here at FlashYourWeb includes a custom version of Gallery and FFmpeg, we will soon attempt to achieve greatness with a new feature in our upcoming E2 final release this coming September –H264 Video and AAC Audio support for our E2 player!

No longer will your visitors be required to have QuickTime or Windows Media Plugins installed. No longer will you need to have expensive encoding software to achieve perfection in your compressed videos. You will be free to encode in the greatest codecs on the web today, H264 and AAC. Please note, the sample player below is still in beta. The video is 480p resolution and may take a few seconds to buffer depending on your connection.

"The force is strong with this one."

Star Wars: the Clone Wars - Theatrical Trailer

We are currently designing a new interface for the player that offers many of the features you've grown accustom to on the web from the more popular video sites. Such as related videos, embed code, email to a friend, thumbnail search, download original, and so much more. Sneak peeks of some potential designs of the player will be introduced to the community in the coming weeks.

We are a small development team here at FlashYourWeb. Just two WiseGuys trying to help many of you get the most out of Open Source technologies and other low priced software. Since we do have day jobs and clients to attend to. Every little bit of support helps. If you have enjoyed our software and support over the last 2 years, you can help us continue to keep us cranking away at our development by chipping in a few bucks. We're not asking for alot, Only give what you can afford. $5, $10, $20. Whatever you think our help and support is worth to you.

Thanks for being a member of FlashYourWeb and for all the feedback you've been giving us. Stay tuned for more information regarding the final release of the E2 player.

Kournikova Goes Open Source

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:02:00 -0400

We are proud to say that Kournikova.com is one of the latest websites to use our Mini-Slide show technology along with utilizing the power of the Gallery Open Source project for their photography and RSS technology.

Needless to say, we couldn't have picked a better subject for our software.

As we continue to work on our upcoming version of the Executive FLV/MP4 video player we hope that Kournikova.com will be one of the first to adopt the technology.

Click here to see Gallery and our Mini-Slide in action.

Site Deisgned by: Sportsmates inc

Adobe Flash 10 Adds 3D Support: Public Beta Available for Download

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:48:00 -0400

Source: PC World
Adobe's Flash Player 10 is nearing its official release date as a public beta is now available for download from Adobe Labs for Windows, OS X and Linux. Some of the noted additions to Flash Player 10 is the support for 3D rendering effects, Adobe Pixel Blender Filters, new drawing APIs and a new text rendering engine. Those are great additions for the Web developers, but there's one particular addition that should make any average Web user happy. Adobe Flash Player 10 is going to make more use of hardware graphics acceleration, meaning that Flash applications will be quicker and smoother than previous.
The release is currently in beta form, so don't expect it to come bug free, but at least the Web developers can get to work creating new content and optimizing prior content for this new and improved Flash Player. And for those sitting in a cubicle farm right now: just wait. Soon enough you will reap the benefits of Adobe's new Flash Player with more exciting Flash games than ever before.

Adobe Opens the FLV and SWF Formats

Thu, 01 May 2008 13:34:00 -0400


SOURCE: Adobe.com

The Open Screen Project is dedicated to driving consistent rich Internet experiences across televisions, personal computers, mobile devices, and consumer electronics. The Open Screen Project is supported by technology leaders, including Adobe, ARM, Chunghwa Telecom, Cisco, Intel, LG Electronics Inc., Marvell, Motorola, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless, and leading content providers, including BBC, MTV Networks, and NBC Universal, who want to deliver rich Web and video experiences, live and on-demand across a variety of devices. The Open Screen Project is working to enable a consistent runtime environment – taking advantage of Adobe® Flash® Player and, in the future, Adobe AIR™ -- that will remove barriers for developers and designers as they publish content and applications across desktops and consumer devices, including phones, mobile internet devices (MIDs), and set top boxes. The Open Screen Project will address potential technology fragmentation by allowing the runtime technology to be updated seamlessly over the air on mobile devices. The consistent runtime environment will provide optimal performance across a variety of operating systems and devices, and ultimately provide the best experience to consumers.
Specifically, this work will include: Removing restrictions on use of the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications Publishing the device porting layer APIs for Adobe Flash Player Publishing the Adobe Flash® Cast™ protocol and the AMF protocol for robust data services Removing licensing fees – making next major releases of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR for devices free CLICK HERE FOR DEVELOPER INFO

E2 XML Player for Gallery2 RC1

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:34:00 -0500

I've put together a Release Candidate of our E2 player for testing. This release fixes most major issues as well as adding some new features.

Details and instructions can be found in our wiki.

And please direct all feedback for this release here.

As stated before we are requiring registration to download this release to allow us to keep you informed of updates.

All current users are welcome to update, as well as any new users get the update here.

-s

Gallery2 flashvideo module

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:36:00 -0400

Spent the better part of this week reworking the flvPlayer for Gallery2.

New features:

• The ability to share your fine video works with the world. The player now generates embed code so you and your friends may place it on any webpage.

• Also added true fullscreen and we now sidestep IE's "Click to activate and use this control" blunder.

See our examples and watch for the pending release of Gallery 2.3.

Now on to the mp3audio module ;)

-s

FlashYourWeb

Browsershots

Tooltips in SlideShowPro

Preview the Final E2 ProMedia Players

What functionality of the E2 is most important to you?

21.21%

27.27%

3.03%

15.15%

0.00%

3.03%

30.30%

Which design of the final E2 Player do you like the most?

8.57%

25.71%

31.43%

34.29%