Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
The biggest hurdle with creating a Flex forum is that the PHP forums are fantastic, dominant, established, popular, they run on any OS, come with many Web hosting packages, and some of the best ones are free. Anything done in Flex is going to have to complete with the PHP offerings and it would be challenging to justify the investment. I also agree with what Doug M. and Mike S. wrote. -Mike Chabot On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 3:07 PM, Michael Schmalle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Well, > > Last year when the Services module came out for Drupal, I pipped into the > node/forum API and created a nice forum in flex. > > The problem with flex has always been RTE editing. We all know this. But, if > that hurdle was overcome and text rendering sped up, using an existing CMS > like drupal, there are no issues. You simply give two entrances to the > forum, google indexes your drupal/CMS site like normal. > > I tend to agree with Doug and others about 'right now' but, the "I'm > speechless" part goes a bit to far. > > Mike > > On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 3:01 PM, Doug McCune <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> I'm not trying to be a complete "glass is half empty" kind of guy, so >> if you want to build a Flex message board, go for it. But I do think >> there are substantial reasons that you haven't seen a successful one >> yet out in the wild (or has anyone seen one at all?). >> >> > Is SEO still an issue when writing a Flex application? I would argue >> > that it's not. >> > A) Google (Yahoo coming soon if not already) now indexes content within >> > a SWF. This includes dynamic content as well. Using dynamic deep linking >> > and >> > a site map that points to different content in the SWF helps a great deal >> > with this. >> >> Except nobody has gotten this to work yet (I assume it will work >> eventually, but right now it's basically a pipe dream in the real >> world). See: http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com/?p=1617 >> So yeah, in the future SEO might become less of an issue with Flex >> sites, but for now it's as big an issue as it's ever been, and for me >> is still a deal breaker if the site requires indexing. >> >> > B) If A isn't enough, you could always use mod_rewrite (or similar >> > technology) to take a link structure and pass parameters down into a SWF to >> > determine the view state and content. In addition, the server side script >> > could print an html version of the content in the background which would >> > allow search engines to index the content and give non-flash users access >> > to >> > the information as well. The only down side to this approach is you can not >> > update the URL bar while the user browses through the application since >> > anchor links are not passed through to the server (to my knowledge). This >> > can be compensated for by displaying a "link to this page" in the >> > application. >> >> Yeah, so this has long been the only real way to make your site search >> engine friendly, and it certainly works, but in the end you're >> building two websites, one for the search engine and a completely >> different one in Flex for the users. Why bother building the flex one >> then? esp if the application doesn't use anything that makes >> Flex/Flash stand out? If you have a forum that was based on sharing >> music or video, then maybe I could understand wanting to go with Flex >> (although I'd probably still argue for just embedding little widgets >> in HTML). But a standard forum works very well as an HTML app with a >> scattering of AJAX. Esp when you compare the text capabilities, stuff >> like HTML links, inline images within blocks of text, good support of >> rich formatting within text blocks. It's all stuff that's a no brainer >> with HTML, but either works sub-par or not at all in flash player. >> >> > Anyways, sorry I couldn't answer your original question better. But I >> > think the idea of a Flex based forum is definitely a realizable idea, and I >> > didn't want you to give up on it because of a few dissenters. >> >> :) certainly don't let me tell you what you can and can't do. If you >> want to build it, go for it, just be aware of what you're getting >> yourself into. And report back on your progress if you decide to take >> the plung! >> >> Doug > > > > -- > Teoti Graphix, LLC > http://www.teotigraphix.com > > Teoti Graphix Blog > http://www.blog.teotigraphix.com > > You can find more by solving the problem then by 'asking the question'.
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
Well, Last year when the Services module came out for Drupal, I pipped into the node/forum API and created a nice forum in flex. The problem with flex has always been RTE editing. We all know this. But, if that hurdle was overcome and text rendering sped up, using an existing CMS like drupal, there are no issues. You simply give two entrances to the forum, google indexes your drupal/CMS site like normal. I tend to agree with Doug and others about 'right now' but, the "I'm speechless" part goes a bit to far. Mike On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 3:01 PM, Doug McCune <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm not trying to be a complete "glass is half empty" kind of guy, so > if you want to build a Flex message board, go for it. But I do think > there are substantial reasons that you haven't seen a successful one > yet out in the wild (or has anyone seen one at all?). > > > > Is SEO still an issue when writing a Flex application? I would argue that > it's not. > > A) Google (Yahoo coming soon if not already) now indexes content within a > SWF. This includes dynamic content as well. Using dynamic deep linking and a > site map that points to different content in the SWF helps a great deal with > this. > > Except nobody has gotten this to work yet (I assume it will work > eventually, but right now it's basically a pipe dream in the real > world). See: http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com/?p=1617 > So yeah, in the future SEO might become less of an issue with Flex > sites, but for now it's as big an issue as it's ever been, and for me > is still a deal breaker if the site requires indexing. > > > B) If A isn't enough, you could always use mod_rewrite (or similar > technology) to take a link structure and pass parameters down into a SWF to > determine the view state and content. In addition, the server side script > could print an html version of the content in the background which would > allow search engines to index the content and give non-flash users access to > the information as well. The only down side to this approach is you can not > update the URL bar while the user browses through the application since > anchor links are not passed through to the server (to my knowledge). This > can be compensated for by displaying a "link to this page" in the > application. > > Yeah, so this has long been the only real way to make your site search > engine friendly, and it certainly works, but in the end you're > building two websites, one for the search engine and a completely > different one in Flex for the users. Why bother building the flex one > then? esp if the application doesn't use anything that makes > Flex/Flash stand out? If you have a forum that was based on sharing > music or video, then maybe I could understand wanting to go with Flex > (although I'd probably still argue for just embedding little widgets > in HTML). But a standard forum works very well as an HTML app with a > scattering of AJAX. Esp when you compare the text capabilities, stuff > like HTML links, inline images within blocks of text, good support of > rich formatting within text blocks. It's all stuff that's a no brainer > with HTML, but either works sub-par or not at all in flash player. > > > Anyways, sorry I couldn't answer your original question better. But I > think the idea of a Flex based forum is definitely a realizable idea, and I > didn't want you to give up on it because of a few dissenters. > > :) certainly don't let me tell you what you can and can't do. If you > want to build it, go for it, just be aware of what you're getting > yourself into. And report back on your progress if you decide to take > the plung! > > Doug > > -- Teoti Graphix, LLC http://www.teotigraphix.com Teoti Graphix Blog http://www.blog.teotigraphix.com You can find more by solving the problem then by 'asking the question'.
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
I'm not trying to be a complete "glass is half empty" kind of guy, so if you want to build a Flex message board, go for it. But I do think there are substantial reasons that you haven't seen a successful one yet out in the wild (or has anyone seen one at all?). > Is SEO still an issue when writing a Flex application? I would argue that > it's not. > A) Google (Yahoo coming soon if not already) now indexes content within a > SWF. This includes dynamic content as well. Using dynamic deep linking and a > site map that points to different content in the SWF helps a great deal with > this. Except nobody has gotten this to work yet (I assume it will work eventually, but right now it's basically a pipe dream in the real world). See: http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com/?p=1617 So yeah, in the future SEO might become less of an issue with Flex sites, but for now it's as big an issue as it's ever been, and for me is still a deal breaker if the site requires indexing. > B) If A isn't enough, you could always use mod_rewrite (or similar > technology) to take a link structure and pass parameters down into a SWF to > determine the view state and content. In addition, the server side script > could print an html version of the content in the background which would > allow search engines to index the content and give non-flash users access to > the information as well. The only down side to this approach is you can not > update the URL bar while the user browses through the application since > anchor links are not passed through to the server (to my knowledge). This can > be compensated for by displaying a "link to this page" in the application. Yeah, so this has long been the only real way to make your site search engine friendly, and it certainly works, but in the end you're building two websites, one for the search engine and a completely different one in Flex for the users. Why bother building the flex one then? esp if the application doesn't use anything that makes Flex/Flash stand out? If you have a forum that was based on sharing music or video, then maybe I could understand wanting to go with Flex (although I'd probably still argue for just embedding little widgets in HTML). But a standard forum works very well as an HTML app with a scattering of AJAX. Esp when you compare the text capabilities, stuff like HTML links, inline images within blocks of text, good support of rich formatting within text blocks. It's all stuff that's a no brainer with HTML, but either works sub-par or not at all in flash player. > Anyways, sorry I couldn't answer your original question better. But I think > the idea of a Flex based forum is definitely a realizable idea, and I didn't > want you to give up on it because of a few dissenters. :) certainly don't let me tell you what you can and can't do. If you want to build it, go for it, just be aware of what you're getting yourself into. And report back on your progress if you decide to take the plung! Doug
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
Is SEO still an issue when writing a Flex application? I would argue that it's not. A) Google (Yahoo coming soon if not already) now indexes content within a SWF. This includes dynamic content as well. Using dynamic deep linking and a site map that points to different content in the SWF helps a great deal with this. B) If A isn't enough, you could always use mod_rewrite (or similar technology) to take a link structure and pass parameters down into a SWF to determine the view state and content. In addition, the server side script could print an html version of the content in the background which would allow search engines to index the content and give non-flash users access to the information as well. The only down side to this approach is you can not update the URL bar while the user browses through the application since anchor links are not passed through to the server (to my knowledge). This can be compensated for by displaying a "link to this page" in the application. Anyways, sorry I couldn't answer your original question better. But I think the idea of a Flex based forum is definitely a realizable idea, and I didn't want you to give up on it because of a few dissenters. Best Regards, ~Aaron On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:06 AM, Doug McCune <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Tim, > > I haven't seen any forums written in Flex, and I'd argue (as I think many > here would) that Flex is not a great technology for writing a forum > application. There are some things that Flex does incredibly well, and some > that it does not... and text-based content portals is one that Flex is not > great for. For the same reasons I'd argue that Flex is not a good choice if > you want to create a blogging platform. The SEO issues alone, not to mention > the text rendering issues, would prevent me suggesting using Flex. > > Doug > > > On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM, timgerr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> I am sorry that I might not have stated my question better. I am >> looking for a forum that is coded in Flex. I have not seen any with >> Google searches and was wondering what (if any) people are using. >> >> I am sorry that my question might not have been formulated to your >> desire but that was a lousy answer. If you are unable to reply with >> any constructive responses, they why respond? >> >> Common, this form is for learning and asking questions. I was taught >> that there are not dumb questions, except for the ones that are never >> asked. I guess since you create "Instructional Technology & Media" >> software then all questions you answer in your software help people >> that don't ask questions >> >> I am sorry that you took your time to read my post, I am sorry that >> you responded. >> >> timgerr >> >> --- In flexcoders@yahoogroups.com , >> "Merrill, Jason" >> >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > >> > >> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? >> > >> > >> > >> > I'm speechless. >> > >> > >> > >> > Jason Merrill >> > Bank of America >> > Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD >> > Instructional Technology & Media >> > >> > Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community >> > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/tlc/flash/default.as >> > px> >> > >> > Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning >> > ideas and technologies? >> > Check out our internal Innovative Learning Blog >> > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/default. >> > aspx> & subscribe >> > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/_layouts >> > /SubNew.aspx?List=\%7b41BD3FC9-BB07-4763-B3AB-A6C7C99C5B8D\%7d&Source=ht >> > >> tp://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/Lists/Posts/Archive. >> > aspx> . >> > >> >> > > -- Aaron Miller Chief Technology Officer Open Base Interactive, LLC. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.openbaseinteractive.com
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
Tim, I haven't seen any forums written in Flex, and I'd argue (as I think many here would) that Flex is not a great technology for writing a forum application. There are some things that Flex does incredibly well, and some that it does not... and text-based content portals is one that Flex is not great for. For the same reasons I'd argue that Flex is not a good choice if you want to create a blogging platform. The SEO issues alone, not to mention the text rendering issues, would prevent me suggesting using Flex. Doug On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM, timgerr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I am sorry that I might not have stated my question better. I am > looking for a forum that is coded in Flex. I have not seen any with > Google searches and was wondering what (if any) people are using. > > I am sorry that my question might not have been formulated to your > desire but that was a lousy answer. If you are unable to reply with > any constructive responses, they why respond? > > Common, this form is for learning and asking questions. I was taught > that there are not dumb questions, except for the ones that are never > asked. I guess since you create "Instructional Technology & Media" > software then all questions you answer in your software help people > that don't ask questions > > I am sorry that you took your time to read my post, I am sorry that > you responded. > > timgerr > > --- In flexcoders@yahoogroups.com , > "Merrill, Jason" > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > >> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? > > > > > > > > I'm speechless. > > > > > > > > Jason Merrill > > Bank of America > > Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD > > Instructional Technology & Media > > > > Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/tlc/flash/default.as > > px> > > > > Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning > > ideas and technologies? > > Check out our internal Innovative Learning Blog > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/default. > > aspx> & subscribe > > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/_layouts > > /SubNew.aspx?List=\%7b41BD3FC9-BB07-4763-B3AB-A6C7C99C5B8D\%7d&Source=ht > > tp://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/Lists/Posts/Archive. > > aspx> . > > > > >
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
I don't think your going to see a Flex Forum for a while, Reason is flash does not get indexed by search engines... so unless your a powerhouse and get a billion hits a having a forum in flex is going to be worthless. Now there is this http://www.tufat.com/s_flash_bulletin_board_phpbb_vbulletin.htm but I don't know if it satisfies you. -- Sherif Abdou http://VadexFX.com http://Sherifabdou.com - Original Message - From: timgerr To: flexcoders@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 12:52 PM Subject: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum. I am sorry that I might not have stated my question better. I am looking for a forum that is coded in Flex. I have not seen any with Google searches and was wondering what (if any) people are using. I am sorry that my question might not have been formulated to your desire but that was a lousy answer. If you are unable to reply with any constructive responses, they why respond? Common, this form is for learning and asking questions. I was taught that there are not dumb questions, except for the ones that are never asked. I guess since you create "Instructional Technology & Media" software then all questions you answer in your software help people that don't ask questions I am sorry that you took your time to read my post, I am sorry that you responded. timgerr --- In flexcoders@yahoogroups.com, "Merrill, Jason" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? > > > > I'm speechless. > > > > Jason Merrill > Bank of America > Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD > Instructional Technology & Media > > Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/tlc/flash/default.as > px> > > Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning > ideas and technologies? > Check out our internal Innovative Learning Blog > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/default. > aspx> & subscribe > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/_layouts > /SubNew.aspx?List=\%7b41BD3FC9-BB07-4763-B3AB-A6C7C99C5B8D\%7d&Source=ht > tp://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/Lists/Posts/Archive. > aspx> . >
[flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
I am sorry that I might not have stated my question better. I am looking for a forum that is coded in Flex. I have not seen any with Google searches and was wondering what (if any) people are using. I am sorry that my question might not have been formulated to your desire but that was a lousy answer. If you are unable to reply with any constructive responses, they why respond? Common, this form is for learning and asking questions. I was taught that there are not dumb questions, except for the ones that are never asked. I guess since you create "Instructional Technology & Media" software then all questions you answer in your software help people that don't ask questions I am sorry that you took your time to read my post, I am sorry that you responded. timgerr --- In flexcoders@yahoogroups.com, "Merrill, Jason" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? > > > > I'm speechless. > > > > Jason Merrill > Bank of America > Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD > Instructional Technology & Media > > Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/tlc/flash/default.as > px> > > Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning > ideas and technologies? > Check out our internal Innovative Learning Blog > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/default. > aspx> & subscribe > http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/_layouts > /SubNew.aspx?List=\%7b41BD3FC9-BB07-4763-B3AB-A6C7C99C5B8D\%7d&Source=ht > tp://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/Lists/Posts/Archive. > aspx> . >
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
>> I think he was talking about a Forum Implementation made in flex, like PHPBB implemented in PHP. :) Yes, that is what I understand. I too am speechless. On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 8:27 AM, Michael Schmalle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > I think he was talking about a Forum Implementation made in flex, like > PHPBB implemented in PHP. :) > > Mike > > On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:21 AM, Merrill, Jason < > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >>>> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? >> >> >> >> I'm speechless. >> >> >> >> Jason Merrill >> *Bank of America * >> Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD >> Instructional Technology & Media >> >> *Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community* >> >> *Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning >> ideas and technologies? >> Check out our internal * Innovative Learning Blog* **&* subscribe. >> > > > > -- > Teoti Graphix, LLC > http://www.teotigraphix.com > > Teoti Graphix Blog > http://www.blog.teotigraphix.com > > You can find more by solving the problem then by 'asking the question'. > >
Re: [flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
I think he was talking about a Forum Implementation made in flex, like PHPBB implemented in PHP. :) Mike On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:21 AM, Merrill, Jason < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? > > > > I'm speechless. > > > > Jason Merrill > *Bank of America * > Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD > Instructional Technology & Media > > *Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community* > > *Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning > ideas and technologies? > Check out our internal * Innovative Learning Blog* **&* subscribe. > > -- Teoti Graphix, LLC http://www.teotigraphix.com Teoti Graphix Blog http://www.blog.teotigraphix.com You can find more by solving the problem then by 'asking the question'.
[flexcoders] Re:Looking for a Flex forum.
>> I was wondering if there was a Flex forum that people have used? I'm speechless. Jason Merrill Bank of America Enterprise Technology & Global Risk L&LD Instructional Technology & Media Join the Bank of America Flash Platform Developer Community http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/tlc/flash/default.as px> Are you a Bank of America associate interested in innovative learning ideas and technologies? Check out our internal Innovative Learning Blog http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/default. aspx> & subscribe http://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/_layouts /SubNew.aspx?List=\%7b41BD3FC9-BB07-4763-B3AB-A6C7C99C5B8D\%7d&Source=ht tp://sharepoint.bankofamerica.com/sites/ddc/rd/blog/Lists/Posts/Archive. aspx> .
