Well, you can make a mean desktop widget!

Sadly, I am. I'm working on a TaskTracker, ala google desktop widget. I love
their little tool, for billing purposes, but found google desktop too buggy
on winDoze. So, i'm just writing my own little time tracker, as I also
didn't find any decent freebies...

IE: Add new task -> hit start / pause -> monitor time spent.

Not something i want in a browser, as i am tracking time all day.. while my
browser generally won't run that long!

Now, let's say i've got a business data management tool that I'm running in
a browser. I can offline import / edit operations, they become server
independant. That's nice. Yet, i've still got my online presentation, as
well. UI writes once. Lovely. Maybe I can't launch excel from AIR, but who
cares? I write a spreadsheet, copy, paste to AIR import, etc..

Just a thought. Really, there's no silver bullet, just like any technology.
The question is, 'what's the right answer for my problem?' If you're asking
yourself, 'how do I bend my tech to you prob?', then you're going to have
issues. That's the life of software dev, i guess!


On Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 10:32 AM, Steve Mathews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I tend to agree that most of the examples don't really make me think, WOW
> that is so much better than just visiting a website. The one place that I
> think AIR makes a lot of sense, but I haven't really seen yet is being able
> to work unconnected.
>
> So for example, what if my Stock Quote site allowed me to run an AIR
> version, that downloaded a bunch of data. Then while I am disconnected I
> could analyze that data, make choices about what stocks to buy or get more
> info on. Then when I reconnect the AIR app automatically can send my actions
> back to the site.
>
> This ability to work disconnected is really what makes AIR a desktop app,
> not the fact that you can view a website on your desktop. I hope to see some
> great examples of this very soon.
>
>
>
> *Steve Mathews*
>
> *Senior Software Engineer*
>
> e [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
>
> *Flypaper Studio, Inc.*
>
>  www.flypaper.net
>
>
> On 2/15/08, Cedric Muller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > Failing examples:
> >
> > -....Bring merchants to the desktop, and start to sell on the desktop
> > (IS THAT A JOKE ???)
> >
> > - then, there is AOL.... "With our Adobe AIR application, we can
> > reach communities of users with compelling, free content available
> > from AOL" (They now acknowledge they cannot reach communities of
> > users online ;)
> >
> > - EBAY: The result: people can experience the world's largest online
> > marketplace and engage with eBay services using a compact, intuitive
> > desktop application.
> > Wow really ? So what about revamping the website instead of
> > developping a new interface ? In what sense does AIR feel right ?
> >
> > - The NASDAQ example: Quotes are everywhere, on your mobile on your
> > tv on your paper on your face, but from now on, INVESTORS (gasp!) can
> > follow quotes on their desktop (and this has been done thousand
> > times, and this hasn't helped any investor :) )
> >
> > Really really sorry, I am just a flash programmer, sites and
> > applications, but I cannot feel the marketing crap here.
> >
> > I wonder if anyone at Adobe realized how old skool is the desktop,
> > and how fast everything will move in the next 5 years ??
> >
> > Cedric (ok ok, I am anti-air, but still pro flash platform)
> >
> > ps: the AIR symbol is fun (I see 'empty space')
> >
> > > I am quite intrigued by the hype and trendy comments AIR is receiving
> > > (build with Flash, build with Flex, build with AJAX, build with
> > > Legos, build with your cat, do a Tour, do some Zigs, and other
> > > Zags) .,... I can count on the fingers of my hand the Good and
> > > Functionnal AIR apps that are around ... and all the people
> > > applausing just because the others are
> > > Zinc is just a hell to make it work, but then it just works and IS
> > > functionnal. They don't fancy around and such.
> > >
> > > Now Adobe asking for feedback and such ... :)
> > >
> > > The idea to find Hacks to a 1.0 version is soooo cheap... makes me
> > > wonder what were those people thinking ? (They must have thought
> > > something like: bring the browser to the desktop, but Nah! The
> > > browser overtakes the desktop, so why would be have light apps
> > > running on our desktop ? no sense at all)
> > >
> > > Really ? I am fed up of 'happy and glowing professionals' being over
> > > optimistic on some overall not interesting initiative (actually: we
> > > are all playing the idiots because we don't have any clue, we just
> > > want to do technology and earn money, so we follow, so we
> > > follow, ...). Do your homework, do some yoga (I need such right
> > > now :P ) and bring better things than just doing over hyped
> > > nonsense....
> > >
> > > AIR ist Rad!
> > >
> > > Cedric
> > >
> > >> I totally agree.  Without the ability to launch external apps AIR
> > >> will have a hard time becoming more than a novelty.
> > >>
> > >> By the way, you can also use SQLLite with MDM.
> > >> http://www.thecodezone.com/downloads/sqlite.php
> > >>
> > >> -------------------------------
> > >> Iman Khabazian
> > >> Managing Director, iMAN IT
> > >> 949.231.8042
> > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >> www.imanit.com
> > >> www.scuge.com
> > >> www.imanit.com/blog
> > >>
> > >> On Feb 13, 2008 2:45 PM, Keith Peters <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >> Even as a hack, it is not pure AIR. It requires installing and
> > >> running another application on your machine. The Artemis project
> > >> does something similar.  I totally agree with what Sam that this
> > >> was a really poor decision. I think most of us would have gladly
> > >> left the SQLLite stuff behind in favor of this.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Keith Peters
> > >> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Feb 13, 2008, at 5:38 PM, Iman Khabazian wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> has anyone tried the hack?
> > >>> http://www.mikechambers.com/blog/2008/01/17/commandproxy-net-air-
> > >>> integration-proof-of-concept/
> > >>>
> > >>> -Iman
> > >>> -------------------------------
> > >>> Iman Khabazian
> > >>> Managing Director, iMAN IT
> > >>> 949.231.8042
> > >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >>> www.imanit.com
> > >>> www.scuge.com
> > >>> www.imanit.com/blog
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> On Feb 13, 2008 2:31 PM, Samuel Agesilas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >>> wrote:
> > >>> Yea it is a major, fudge up by Adobe. Essentially with AIR Adobe
> > >>> build the Ferrari of desktop app development, but decided to slash
> > >>> all the tires and put sugar in the gas tank when they  decided to
> > >>> seriously hamper AIR by not allowing calls apps to launch.  Talk
> > >>> about a dumb and stupid decision. and I don't believe Adobe knows
> > >>> how crucial of a feature that is! For example, I had a client come
> > >>> to us to develop a UI for an audio processing software project.
> > >>> For the UI we looked at JavaFX ( which is not quite ready ), Java,
> > >>> QT and Adobe AIR. AIR hit all of the points and the client was
> > >>> ready to roll with AIR except for that crucial fact of not being
> > >>> able to launch external apps. That was the deal breaker and the
> > >>> client walked away from AIR development and decided to go with QT.
> > >>> It's a shame to because that particular project was perfect for
> > >>> Flash + AIR. If anyone at Adobe is reading this, PLEASE stop
> > >>> handicapping your products and start trusting your developer
> > >>> community.
> > >>>
> > >>> my two cents.
> > >>> -sam
> > >>>
> > >>> On Feb 8, 2008, at 6:18 AM, slangeberg wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>> Yeah, you're right. Not being able to make system calls / launch
> > >>>> apps IS a major shortcoming of AIR, at this point.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Here's an official Adobe statement, as of June:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> src: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?
> > >>>> catid=641&threadid=1298770&STARTPAGE=2&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Thank you everyone who has contributed to this thread. My name is
> > >>>> Rob Christensen and I'm a product manager on Adobe AIR. I'd like
> > >>>> to provide some clarity on this topic, but also invite you to
> > >>>> share additional thoughts.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The primary reason that AIR 1.0 does not include support for
> > >>>> launching native applications originates from a founding design
> > >>>> decision/philosophy. Applications that do not depend on other
> > >>>> applications to be installed result in a better user experience.
> > >>>> Our goal with AIR has been to deliver a runtime that delivers
> > >>>> applications consistently across operating systems. Please note
> > >>>> that this doesn't mean we're right nor that we might not change
> > >>>> our minds on this.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> We'd like to hear what you think on this topic. It's helpful if
> > >>>> you can let us know what you're trying to build. The more
> > >>>> specific you can be, the more helpful it is to our team. Please
> > >>>> reply to this thread or send us a note through our feedback form.
> > >>>> This form will send a message directly to our development and
> > >>>> product management team.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Feedback for (Adobe AIR)
> > >>>> http://www.adobe.com/go/wish/
> > >>>>
> > >>>> As with any design decision, there's plenty of opportunity to
> > >>>> debate the topic and this is something we continue to discuss
> > >>>> even internally. The major disadvantage is that it's much more
> > >>>> difficult to take advantage of existing code libraries or launch
> > >>>> other native applications.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> At the same time, one advantage to the current design is that
> > >>>> when you distribute an application, you do not need to say, "This
> > >>>> is a really great application, but make sure you have Microsoft
> > >>>> Windows (or OSX) installed as well as Microsoft Word (or
> > >>>> Photoshop or some other native product) to really take advantage
> > >>>> of this application."
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Again, we may revisit this decision in the future and as with any
> > >>>> 1.0, you almost always come to reconsider your initial design
> > >>>> goals. There are some interesting options here such as the one
> > >>>> discussed earlier of launching the default application for a
> > >>>> specific file type.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Stuartc11: It is possible to launch a web browser by the way and
> > >>>> some of the sample applications have code that that demonstrate
> > >>>> how to do this.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Thanks,
> > >>>>
> > >>>> - Rob
> > >>>> Product Manager, Adobe AIR
> > >>>>
> > >>>> -Scott
> > >>>>
> > >>>> PS: Zinc blows holes in the ozone.
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> On Feb 8, 2008 5:41 AM, Cedric Muller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >>>> Actually, I was able to launch VLC with Zinc (not Zinc specific,
> > >>>> but
> > >>>> it does manage activex) and pass the HD streams to VLC
> > >>>> now, I am looking at a splitted screen with 4 HD streams, all
> > >>>> totally
> > >>>> fluid.
> > >>>> Ok ok, I have a tough graphic card, but my tests so far indicate
> > >>>> that
> > >>>> there is plenty of margin.
> > >>>> Moreover, with VLC I can load in almost any video type (even
> > >>>> FLVs)...
> > >>>> though i am doing an internal check, and if video is FLV I
> > >>>> stream it
> > >>>> with Flash...
> > >>>> The app I am building is quite technical, and clients' constraints
> > >>>> are very high (regarding HD (and full hd) Streaming). To be honest,
> > >>>> it isn't a desktop application, more like a 'computer app'
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Cedric
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> Not to be obtuse, but can you stream HD video with Zinc?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Does streaming HD video establish the validity of a desktop app?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Anyhow, you can stream video with Flash Media Server to the flash
> > >>>>> player (AIR). Probably Red5 too. Right?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> On Feb 8, 2008 2:02 AM, Cedric Muller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >>>>> yes works well, but quite not a true desktop app: how would you
> > >>>>> stream Full HD video with AIR ?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>> yeah, and just to be the rah rah boy - AIR rocks.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> fine, shoot me, but it *works* well
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> On Feb 7, 2008 7:33 PM, Arnoud Bos <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >>>>>> Try screenweaver haxe  (swhx) if you are not afraid of
> > >>>> command line
> > >>>>>> tools.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Works great!
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> And it's opensource (this is an open source list, right?)
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Arnoud
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:osflash-
> > >>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Namens bean tickler
> > >>>>>> Verzonden: donderdag 7 februari 2008 23:25
> > >>>>>> Aan: [email protected]
> > >>>>>> Onderwerp: [osflash] MDM Zinc v3 rant
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Sad sad sad.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Too long have I and almost everyone I know suffered with this
> > >>>> poor
> > >>>>>> product and its predecessors. 2.5 buggy buggy buggy. V3 beta,
> > >>>> buggy
> > >>>>>> but fine, BETA. V3 RELEASE, same as BETA, not one bug fixed from
> > >>>>>> what I can tell and they have ditched tons of the functionality
> > >>>>>> they had in 2.5!!!
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Why oh why do we bother??? Well, at one point they were the
> > >>>> best of
> > >>>>>> a bad bunch with shed loads of commands and slick marketing.
> > >>>>>> However, I feel the competitors have overtaken them. Just
> > >>>> look at
> > >>>>>> the likes of Janus (a new but reliable tool) and SWF studio.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> For me I would have loved to have stayed with SWF Studio but
> > >>>> they
> > >>>>>> had no handheld or Mac output. Janus is my new favorite as it
> > >>>> has
> > >>>>>> yet to cause me an embarrassing client crash and has Mac and
> > >>>> Linux
> > >>>>>> output coming up). But wow, I feel soo dumb for ever buying
> > >>>> Zinc!!
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Every negative post on their "community" forum gets deleted,
> > >>>> they
> > >>>>>> are now even checking posts _before_ they go live.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Sorry for the rant. But guessing this post wont be deleted!!!
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>>>> [email protected]
> > >>>>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> --
> > >>>>>> [  JPG  ]
> > >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>>>> [email protected]
> > >>>>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>>> [email protected]
> > >>>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> --
> > >>>>> : : ) Scott
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Helping your grandma on the interweb
> > >>>>> at: http://blog.criticalpile.com
> > >>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>>> [email protected]
> > >>>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>> [email protected]
> > >>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> --
> > >>>> : : ) Scott
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Helping your grandma on the interweb
> > >>>> at: http://blog.criticalpile.com
> > >>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>> osflash mailing list
> > >>>> [email protected]
> > >>>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> _______________________________________________
> > >>> osflash mailing list
> > >>> [email protected]
> > >>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> _______________________________________________
> > >>> osflash mailing list
> > >>> [email protected]
> > >>> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> osflash mailing list
> > >> [email protected]
> > >> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> osflash mailing list
> > >> [email protected]
> > >> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > osflash mailing list
> > > [email protected]
> > > http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > osflash mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> osflash mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/osflash_osflash.org
>
>


-- 
: : ) Scott

Helping your grandma on the interweb
at: http://blog.criticalpile.com
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