The Official Blog of MINDTWITCH Interactive

Fx2Flash Compiler Extension for Flex Builder & Eclipse

Michael Boucher — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:07:13 +0000

So I moved to a Mac when I got my new job in November working at Clearspring and I quickly started missing FlashDevelop as I chugged away in the built-in Actionscript editor in Flash CS3. I've used FlashDevelop for Actionscript coding at home on my PC and have sworn by it, so much so I actually installed Parallels on my Mac but didn't like the work flow it created. And so began my quest to find a Mac equivalent of FlashDevelop. If you are reading this looking for the same thing, let me save you the weeks of searching, it's not out there. At least not for free, but there is hope.

I've read on numerous threads about how people are using Flex Builder for their Actionscript editing and how much better it is for coding/debugging. I started to investigate how easy it was to set things up and came across Ted Patrick's post on "Using Flex Builder for Flash CS3 Coding" and Joshua Bloom's post on "Using Flex Builder to edit and debug Flash Applications." Seemed simple enough, so I recently bit the bullet and bought Flex Builder 3 and must say it was well worth the purchase. If you want to see for yourself, go download the 30-day trial and run through Mike and Joshua's posts on setting it all up. You won't go back to the built-in editor in Flash ever again, and if you do you'll miss your new little friend dearly. (more...)

iPhone 3G: $199.99 to call 9-1-1

Michael Boucher — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:43:48 +0000

For those who woke up bright and early this morning, played hooky from work and stood in line for hours to get their hands on the new iPhone 3G, disappointment quickly set in. With the release of the first major upgrade to the iPhone stores are currently unable to activate the phones and customers are leaving with overpriced 9-1-1 dialers.

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iPhone 2.0 Software Update and iPhone App Store

Michael Boucher — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:42:56 +0000

So I found a link on LifeHacker which had a link to MacRumors on where to get the iPhone 2.0 update a day early via download and manual install. Pretty much been playing with it all evening and downloading apps.

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Adobe Labs: Adobe AIR Update Framework BETA

Michael Boucher — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:34:18 +0000

Adobe just released a new Adobe AIR Update Framework that will aid developers in building AIR applications that can "periodically check for updates based on an interval or at the request of the user." The framework will also provide capabilities The framework comes with a default user interface developers can use to alert users of updates ready for download, confirm the user wants to check for updates, displaying information on availability of updates and showing progress and error information.

Developers can also create their own custom user interface to use with the update framework as well.

On a related note, Adobe also announced the launch fo the AIR Cookbook site where users can share and find answers to problems.

How the ‘EFF’ Did We Ever Get Anything Done?

Michael Boucher — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:07:35 +0000

I just did an image search for screen shots of older versions of Adobe Flash and stumbled on this gem of a site. I was particularly fond of the Flash Splash Screens and Corel Draw Splash Screens sections.

Take a walk down memory lane, laugh and wonder how the hell we ever got anything done 10 years ago. Enjoy!

Adobe Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Soundbooth BETA

Michael Boucher — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:27:40 +0000

It appears Adobe just released Adobe Dreamweaver Beta, Adobe Fireworks Beta and Adobe Soundbooth Beta on Adobe Labs. These releases come just twelve days after the release of Adobe Flash Player 10 Beta. Could the Adobe Flash and Adobe Thermo BETAs be on the horizon?

I'm excited to take these three for a test spin and check out some of the new features. I'll be sure to post my findings here.

Enjoy!

The Hype Machines: Thermo and Saffron

Michael Boucher — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:43:24 +0000

I was thinking the other day during my weekly search for any new developments on both Thermo and Saffron, two products that I know little about due to their seemingly overly secretive nature, they are two technologies that I’m very excited about. Actually, these are THE two technologies that I’m most excited about. (more...)

Adobe Flex 4 in Active Development

Michael Boucher — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:34:51 +0000

Pretty exciting news out of Adobe. Flex 4 is beginning active development. I am really excited to see what the next round of solutions for the Flash Platform are going to be, especially after the MAX and FITC sneak peaks of Flash Player 10 "Astro" and Adobe "Thermo." Also with the new ECMAScript 4.0 proposal (ES4 Overview PDF)being targeted for this Fall, about the same time as Flex 4 BETA 1, it will be interesting to see if "Actionscript 4" makes its way into the mix. Only time will tell. (more...)

Jakebox: CD Packaging Just Got Sexy Again

Michael Boucher — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:46:03 +0000

You've been through Jewel Cases, DigiPacks, QPacks, Clamshells and SlimPacks. You've gotten creative with some paper jackets, wallets and folders. And just when you thought there was no hope for your next CD or DVD project, enter Jakebox the innovative media packaging developed by Swedish design student Jakob Skarin. (more...)

Adobe Working on Flash Player for iPhone

Michael Boucher — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:06:47 +0000

So I've been meaning to write some posts related to experiences I've had and things I've read as they relate to the iPhone. However, I never actually got around to it. With the latest news out of the Adobe camp, as reported by Wallstreet Journal and CNN, regarding the development of a Flash Player for the iPhone has stirred up some old feelings, which at this point can no longer be ignored. So with that said I'm going to combine into one post. (more...)