This is a more complex version of my previous example. This time in addition to making the Alert control’s text non-selectable, we use an embedded font for the Alert title, message, buttons, as well as edit the drop shadow, remove the rounded corners, and remove the button skins.
Using an RIA framework to build Web 1.0 applications (aka. New technology same old stuff).
One of the largest challenges when moving from Web 1.0 applications to the RIA’s development paradigm is learning to think differently. Flex gives developers an advanced component library that allows for doing things that simply weren’t possible only a few years ago. Often, the power of Flex is missed, and the framework is used to implement more traditional Web 1.0 applications.
Building Web 2.0 applications is more than partial page refresh and rounded corners. For example, Flex developers should be using vectors to provide users a visual understanding of data, and advanced controls for a rich application flow. Stephan Janssen discusses this struggle recently with InfoQ.com:
As a Java developer, learning Object Oriented ActionScript and the UI markup language is really a walk in the park. The challenge however for (Java) developers is that we’re not designers, and with RIA technologies these two skills are very much needed.
Breaking standard browser experiences.
While Flex does provide an excellent platform for improving the user experience, it still important to maintain familiarity of things like the back button, book marking, and auto complete.
Flex 3 includes new Deep Linking features for back button support and book marketing. You can learn more at labs.adobe.com. There are number of components out there for implementing auto-complete. From the Adobe Exchange, you can use the AutoComplete Input component.
If you’ve considered the marquee effect when you built a news board in your web application? The Simple tips show how to realize the marquee effect in flex. Because it based on Canvas and Text component, you could change the font size, color, background and scroll speed freely. If you put mouse on frame, the marquee effect will be paused.
View source is enabled in the following example…
I just downloaded a Flex CMS, it’s a nice work from FlepStudio.
Flex admins a Flash gallery.
Essentially it is CMS so if you are looking for an admin panel for your clients that’s for you.
