in a rush

On my latest project, I was going through several areas of the application adding toolTips to make some of the data that is clipped visible if desired. In doing so, I found out that I needed to use a combination of the different types of tips available.

Most components have a toolTip property that you can set (typically bound to some data). But the List-based components are a little different. They use dataTipField and the dataTipFunction. The “data” version of toolTips is based on the list iterating through it’s dataProvider and then adding toolTip for each row.

So, while adding toolTips to a List with an itemRenderer, I ran into a problem. My toolTips weren’t showing up when I set the dataTipField. The dataTipFunction didn’t work either. What gives?!

Well, I had an inline itemRenderer for my list. And apparently the List doesn’t like adding toolTips, via the dataTipField, to a component that is inline.

The solution: Simply add a toolTip to the inline component. And in my case, bind it to the data property that is passed in by the list.

Note: You don’t even need to set showDataTips to true.

TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.
at mx.managers::FocusManager/focusInHandler [no source]

This is definitely an SDK bug. I was using the Flex 3.5 SDK and then downgraded to 3.4.1.10084. That is when this error magically appeared. Switched back to 3.5, all better.

ELIPS Studio 3 is a cross-platform mobile application SDK based on Adobe’s Flex Builder. But it only works on Windows, so I’m wondering how that is going to work.
Check it out: http://developer.openplug.com/index.php/learn/elips-studio-3-flex-for-mobile

The event is Flex Training for ColdFusion Developers
A free full-day, hands-on training session, where attendees can learn how to build their first Flex application using the latest Flash Builder 4 beta software. This training is designed to help experienced ColdFusion developers get started in understanding how to add rich UI to existing and new ColdFusion applications.

Date / Time
November 16, 2009
Event: 9am – 4pm
Registration: 8:30am

Main Website / Registration
http://www.adobe.com/go/flextrainingforcfdevelopers

Monday, November 16
The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202

Not going to Adobe MAX 2009? Not to worry…

Watch MAX keynotes, streamed live from Los Angeles-register now
(go to http://max.adobe.com/online/ )

On October 5th and 6th, Adobe MAX Online will feature the keynotes, streamed live, highlighting the newest and most exciting developments in the world of technology. Join 10 minutes early and participate in the backstage behind the scenes action.

View the top three sessions from each day on demand:
Check back each day by 8:00 PM PT, from October 5th to 7th, to see the top session of the day from each track: Design, Develop, and Envision. You’ll be able to view these sessions on demand on MAX Online and join the buzz by participating in the extended Twitter conversation.

View all of the session content on demand:
Check back on Sunday, October 11th, for all of the sessions available on demand with the exception of labs or BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop) labs.

MAX Session Guide: http://assets.max.adobe.com/pdfs/MAX_2009_EventGuide.pdf

 PRESS RELEASE

On3: Denver’s First Adobe Authorized Training Center

On3 will help Adobe Software Developers learn to use Adobe Flex, ColdFusion, and Adobe AIR, as well as other web development tools like BlazeDS and mobile phone application development.

Denver, CO September 11, 2009:  On3, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of its Adobe Enterprise training facility located in downtown Denver at 110 16^th Street, on the corners of the 16^th Street Mall and Broadway. This expertly staffed Adobe training facility will help Colorado’s software engineers to become more proficient in Adobe AIR, Adobe Flex, ColdFusion, and the other products in the Adobe Enterprise suite, as well as other web development tools and mobile application development. During the training process, On3 provides experienced Flex, AIR, and ColdFusion software developers, consultants and architects to keep clients’ projects on schedule. The three-pronged approach of offering mentoring, consulting and training provides companies with all the elements to grow their own Adobe expertise from within.

“Companies are looking for a way to quickly train their software engineers to become experts without becoming dependant on external consulting firms.” According to the founder and principal consultant, Rob Rusher. “A good way for companies to stretch their software development budgets is by investing in mentoring, training and development. This approach limits the ongoing expense firms incur when using external consultants exclusively, resulting in a much better return on their investment. We focus on Adobe Flex, ColdFusion & Adobe Air training because they provide the richest interactive environment.”

On3 is the first and only current Adobe Authorized Training Center in Colorado. This will allow Colorado firms the opportunity to attend local Adobe Flex, ColdFusion, and AIR classes. The training helps drive local innovation to improve Colorado’s ability to compete and grow the Colorado economy. Additionally, Denver is a training and development destination for cost conscious companies who can avoid the relatively high travel expense charged in larger metropolitan areas for Adobe training.

Since 2001, On3 has been providing team-focused consulting and training to help organizations shorten their IT learning curve and master next-generation technologies. On3 focuses on Adobe software design, development and training for rich Internet applications. Beyond incisive and effective teaching, On3 specializes in cultivating long-term, self-sustaining IT practices for organizations. On3’s teamwork driven philosophy and Adobe software development expertise helps organizations build their own Adobe development resources. By using real-world developers who excel as instructors in their Denver, Colorado based Adobe Authorized Training Center, On3 helps companies create a sustainable pipeline of qualified developers, through certified Adobe Flex, AIR, and ColdFusion classes, who build applications to change the way we work and live.

For more information, please visit www.On3solutions.com.

Register for MAX in Los Angeles.

Just finished my presentation at FITC Mobile 2009 in Toronto. And it went very well!
I had lots of questions and was able to answer all but one.
The presentation was about building native iPhone applications using JavaScript and HTML instead of Objective-C. I’m currently using Titanium Mobile to does this.
I’ve posted a slide share of the iPhone development presentation at On3.

Adobe recently released (August 2009) the Flex implementation of PMD tool which is extensively used at J2EE shops for code quality management. FlexPMD is a tool that helps to improve code quality by auditing any AS3/Flex source directory and detecting common bad practices.

The Flex PMD tool is locate on the Adobe Open Source Projects site.

http://opensource.adobe.com/wiki/display/flexpmd/FlexPMD

It is available as an ANT task, command line and Mac OSX Automator.

And before you ask, no, there isn’t an Eclipse plugin… yet.

If you are dealing with 508 compliance and wondering if a Flex application is accessible, this is your post.

First, yes, screen readers can read Flex applications. And yes, its fairly easy. But, I’ll discuss how in a future post.

But, if you’d rather send people to your old HTML version of your site when using a read, there is good news. Flash Player has the ability to detect if a screen reader is running on the client machine, even if JavaScript is disabled and/or the Flex application is not compiled as an “accessible swf”. This is possible with the Accessibility class.

It is important to note that if the Flex application is compiled as an “accessible swf”, the screen reader will also be able to read content in the swf. If not, the screen reader only reads the words “flash movie start” whenever you interact with it. Talk about a usability buzz kill.

So, here is the code to see if a screen reader is currently running (not just installed) and then adds a LinkButton that calls a navigateToURL on click.

private function init():void
{
  // this is the only thing you need to do
  if( Accessibility.active )
  {
    var linkButton:LinkButton = new LinkButton();
    linkButton.label = "Click here to go to HTML site";
    linkButton.addEventListener( MouseEvent.CLICK, goToSite );
    this.addChildAt( linkButton, 0 );
  }
}

private function goToSite( eventObj:MouseEvent ):void
{
  navigateToURL( new URLRequest("<screen reader friendly site>") );
}

There are more properties available on the Accessibility class, but this is all you need to give accessibility an option.