Web Dev Notes

I finally got around to Flex 2 this weekend, ahem, right now. I am taking a break to give some attention to my blog.

I have to say, I like the Flex Builder. I have tried all sorts of IDE’S this one seems as good as any other. I particularly liked the built in Help. When ever I am trying a new type of programming having instant access to all the classess or libraries is a big bonus.

Flex2 is certainly Mature Flash. I have a blog built for my buddy up and semi running over night. Nothing fancy yet but appears nice. I will post a link when he gives the thumbs up.

I also gave MS expression another shot this weekend, and in all fairness I am to used to Dreamweaver to switch over. That being said, if they dropped another version on me, I would switch rather switch rather than upgrade. Although, likely not to Expressions.

I am not sure if anyone read my article on MS Groove though. I have been using it for small projects with some friends and like it very much. Although, when I have a small file to send or pick up, I am using Hamachi. Anyone ever used this? I heard about it from Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. I love it, its so cool.

Anyway, hope the work week treats everyone well, signing off.

Arnold

Where do you stop!

HTML, XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and now Flex 2. Way I figure you never stop. If I have to learn Flex, then you have to too. kidding!

Really though, what’s it going to do for me. Billable hours? I don’t think so, but how do you break into this field without felling like you have to learn everything. To be honest I think the right answer is to ignore all the new sexy stuff and get good at the basics first. CSS is where its at for the newbie.

All the same, I heard that Flex 2 is Flash for adults, not the xxx adult, but mature Flash. I am going to give this a test drive this weekend. I have this form to create for an online course and was thinking Rails, but will give Flex a shot. I listened to a great podcast about Flex by Paul Boag and what’s his name this morning. They had some guy on who talked about accessibility and Flash and he made a lot of sense. Design for accessibility; do not just make it a check mark. I liked that, the social networking of today’s web requires we provide to every possible reader, because it maybe that person to pushes your content on his two friends, and so on….and so on…..

I am addicted to Macromedia ahem, Adobe though. At least my credit card is. I no longer get the student discount. So what is your favorite Macromedia product? Mine is Captivate 2 I banged off an online course this week to keep some bosses happy, and it went off great. I think there is big money in online training these days, that’s why I need to learn Flex. Damn.

I’ll let ya all know on Monday.