Wednesday, December 17, 2003
CMX Weekly Newsletter
Check the News!
Another CMX First
Macromedia Central is just now getting off the ground with the developer edition which you can download for free at Macromedia Central. Central provides a desktop deployment mechanism for Flash applications that shows some exciting potential for distributed frameworks. You can create Central applications in Flash MX and deploy them using Macromedia'a built-in payment processing system.
Community MX is proud to announce that our own CMXtra application is the first non-Macromedia Central program available within the Central AppFinder. CMXtra allows you to see the daily new articles at the site, peruse the calendar for past items, search our entire catalog, and save favorites for easy access. It was written and refined by our own team, led by Paul Newman. Check it out in the Central App Finder or at Community MX. Look for more great tutorials on building and deploying Central applications, coming up at Community MX.
NOTE: If you previously installed the beta version of Community MXtra, you need to uninstall/reinstall it to be alerted about version updates. To uninstall CMXtra, choose View > My Applications, select CMXtra in the list, and click Uninstall. The latest version (0.92) can be installed using Central's built-in App Finder.
Macromedia Announces FLV Exporter Update
Macromedia just announced a new updater for the FLV Exporter (Flash video) and the associated Media Components. If you already own Flash MX Professional 2004 then you can get the free download from Macromedia's Video Resources. In addition to some bug fixes, the updater also offers some extra benefits. The new FLV Exporter includes a two-pass encoder that can improve video quality. Additionally, the video length will be encoded into the video file. This means that you can add media controllers that allow the user to scrub playback without having to manually enter the video length. The updated Media Components are designed to better integrate with the updates to the FLV Exporter.
Service Pack 2 - The Newest Microsoft Update Announced
The newest update to Microsoft Windows XP - dubbed Service Pack 2 - is expected to roll into its beta test phase this week. This update not only plans to plug a variety of security holes in the operating system, but also will change some of the core functionality of the OS. Read about some of the most welcome (i.e., overdue) fixes in this Yahoo Article...
Further information can be obtained by downloading this Word document from the Microsoft website.
Yahoo Launches Online Payment Service
Internet giant Yahoo launched an online payment service allowing users to send money to family and friends in 182 countries....The service is slightly different from eBay's payment business called PayPal, which can be used to send money overseas by e-mail, but is primarily used to facilitate trades done on eBay's auction marketplace. Read about it at Yahoo News...
Why Does My Web Page Look Wonky?
Sometimes your page elements just won't align properly. The Web Developer toolbar has the perfect solution. Use the Outline block level elements option directly under the pencil icon. Simply click it and all the elements on your page are immediately outlined. Whether it's a margin setting or a padding value, it is now easy to find and correct the problem. If you are using the CSS edit extension we spoke of in an earlier news letter, simply adjust the erroneous value in the browser and see it corrected right before your eyes! Once you have changed the CSS to your liking, you can Copy > Paste it right into your style sheet. No need to re-type anything. A great timesaver.
NOTE: Chris Pederick, author of the Web Developer extension for Firebird and Mozilla has released version 0.5 on December 11, in case any of you happen to still have 0.4.
No More Excuses For the Mac-less
We're not sure if it is an automated service, or if there hundreds of hamsters furiously doing screen grabs, but iCapture, is a quick (30 seconds or so) and easy way for the many non-Mac folks out there to see what your web sites look like in Safari. Interestingly, you can also check out who else cares about how their site looks to the un-PC crowd. While you're waiting for your screenshot to appear, Daniel Vine, the site's owner, suggests clicking an ad. If you're feeling really generous, buy him something from his Amazon wish list on the FAQ page.
Use a "T" and You're Toast
Your CFCs may be toasted if you aren't using descriptive variable names. According to a recent blog entry by Ben Forta, due to a bug in ColdFusion, you cannot use "t" as the name of a variable because it is already the name of the error Java throws if there is an error in your CFC.
Fun and Freebies!
Golden Eggs Getting Your Goat?
The cost of giving has gone up....yet again. If you've been buying your 12 days of Christmas gifts offline then you'll be out of pocket an extra 18.8% this season, due mostly to a whopping 66.7% increse in Swans-a-swimming. However, online purchases went up a modest 1.3%. Bad news is that sitting on your keister making your "Twelve Days" purchases online will set you back an extra 55% compared to offline purchases. For the breakdown on all the 12 days worth of gifts, check out PNC Advisors "Christmas Price Index."
"Dirty Knees and Thunder Cheeks"?
You're sitting at your computer, singing along with the Internet radio when a co-worker bursts out laughing. Maybe you need to to add your version of the song to Kiss This Guy, a database of misheard song lyrics like the AC/DC song above ("Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"). This one is definitely good for a few laughs.
More Fabulous Christmas Ideas for Geeks and Designers
If you've got a designer that you'd like to get a gift for, or need to drop a hint to significant others between now and Christmas, here are some goodies that will be sure to please:
1. Filters and Plug-ins for Fireworks from Alien Skin
You may already be familiar with some of the cool effects you can create with the included Eye Candy plug-in demos that ship with Fireworks. Take things up a notch by getting the full set. Everything from special lighting effects, filters, and much more, and they're all Fireworks friendly. About $300 US for the entire set, or pick the one that strikes your fancy for around $100.
2. IMatch--Professional Strength Image Management
For those folks who have a large number of digital images, keeping everything nicely organized can be a real challenge. IMatch provides terrific tools for managing your photo libraries and allows you to do professional-quality tasks such as producing contact sheets and galleries. $50 US.
3. Graphire 3 Graphics tablet from Wacom
Someone once said that drawing with a mouse is as natural as drawing with a brick. For more careful control when you want to draw, and especially for making precise selections for photo-retouching, nothing beats a graphics tablet. The Graphire 3 is a smaller version of the tablet that professional illustrators use and a nifty little tool. About $100 US for the 4" x 5" or $200 for a 6" x 8".
4. Logitech Optical Mouse
There's nothing quite so nice as a high-quality optical mouse, and for our money the best are those from Logitech. Almost sensous in its design, a Logitech mouse just seems to fall perfectly into the hand. Get one of the models with thumb buttons and not only will you be able to take care of your regular mousing chores, but also use the thumb buttons to move back and forth from page to page to page when you're in surf mode. Starting at about $40 US.
Weekly Content Listing
The Insert Record Server Behavior in Dreamweaver MX 2004
In this first part of a two-part article, we are going to be looking at Data Insertion using a simple form that we will create in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004. Inserting data from a form into a database is something we all have done at least once. For instance, signing up to get email alerts from CNN is a great example of inserting data into a database. Or filling out a form on a website to start a magazine subscription. However, the uses don't stop there. In fact, they are limitless.
Intro to Database Design
Learn the basics of setting up your first database.
Converting a Photograph to a Cartoon Drawing
I have great fun messing around with graphics applications and one of the things I've been experimenting with a lot lately is turning a photograph into a cartoon drawing. After much trial and error I've hit upon a series of steps that will allow me to do just that in Fireworks and Freehand.
Macromedia Announces Flash Video Streaming Service (FVSS) [FREE]
Macromedia and VitalStream team up to offer a Flash video delivery solution to the rest of us. No FlashComm required.
Benefits of Macromedia User Group Membership [FREE]
Network with other geeks, learn, win software, and have an all-around good time with your local Macromedia User Group.
Part One: An Introduction to ColdFusion Structures [FREE]
In this tutorial we will have a gentle introduction to the ColdFusion structure. We will look at how structures are created and the basics of what they are. In the coming articles in this series we will look at the ways in which we can put structures to work in our applications.
The Benefits of Externalizing Fireworks Pop-up menu JavaScript [FREE]
Fireworks and Dreamweaver pop-up menus have their uses, in spite of all the critics. One nagging issue though, is that both DW and FW insist on dumping a hefty javascript function into EVERY page that makes use of the menu. This article shows you how to turn this internal js into an external file, and how to link it to the pages that need the pop up menu.
Deciphering ASP.NET's web.config File
Learn how to get the most out of the ASP.NET web.config file. Set up custom error handling, store connection information, get tracing information, and more ...
Securing Dreamweaver MX 2004 Applications
There are many things to consider when putting sensitive data on the web, and Dreamweaver introduces a couple of security concerns that you may not have realized. Learn more about Dreamweaver's default behavior and how you can compensate for it.
JavaScript Evaluation Extension for Dreamweaver
Frequently when you are building web pages, you need to test out little pieces of JavaScript. This extension installs in Dreamweaver and runs as a floating panel so that you can copy/paste code from Dreamweaver into the panel and execute it. It also works well for extension developers because you have access to the DW API and any shared script functions that are in memory.
Tips, Tricks and Dirty Cheats!
This week's Tip, Trick or Dirty Cheat is brought to you by CMX Partner Kim Cavanaugh.
Tired of All that Zooming?
Got a big canvas and tired of zooming in and zooming out to find and work on bits of your beautiful creation? Instead, activate the Hand tool automatically in Fireworks, Freehand or Flash by simply pressing and holding the space bar. While the space bar is held down you can click and drag the canvas, page, or stage all over the screen until you get to the part you need. Then release the space bar and get to work!
Would you like your tip published? Submit it to tips@communitymx.com
That's it for this week. Stay tuned for the next CMX newsletter!
JavaScript Evaluation Extension for Dreamweaver
- Frequently when you are building web pages, you
need to test out little pieces of JavaScript. This extension from Tom
Muck, installs in Dreamweaver and runs as a floating panel so that
you can copy/paste code from Dreamweaver into the panel and execute
it. It also works well for extension developers because you have access
to the DW API and any shared script functions that are in memory.
Learn More...
Benefits of Macromedia User Group Membership
- Do you ever wonder what Macromedia User Groups are really all
about? Robert Hoekman Jr. tells all in his inimitable style!
Learn more...
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