Flash Integration

[Ben Bartsch]

Looking for opinions on the use of Flash with ASP.NET. Has anyone here seen
or conducted any implementations of Flash that are actually useful or
otherwise complement ASP.NET?

 

[Eric Cherng]

Flash is just an embedded object in the HTML for your web page. ASP.NET is
server-side technology. What kind of integration are you looking for?

Eric

 

[Steve C. Orr [MVP, MCSD]]

This code allows you to output fairly dynamic flash content to your page:
http://www.asp.net/ControlGallery/ControlDetail.aspx?Control=376&tabindex=0

 

[Kevin Spencer]

We have used Flash with ASP.Net. For example, we have a graphic interface
for display METAR and TAF weather data. The swf tag is dynamically-generated
by a Server Control, which givesthe swf a certain amount of data in the
flashvars. It then takes the data sent to it in the flashvars and uses that
to call a Web Service for more complete data, which it uses to build an
interactive graphic.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.

 

[Kevin Spencer]

One other thing I forgot to mention. The reason we use Flash is that it is
not browser-dependent, as is ActiveX.

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.

 

[Ben Bartsch]

I've been embroiled in ASP.NET development for a long time and I've been
aware of Flash in the perspective you described - as simply an embedded
object. I understand Flash as providing us with dancing penguins and buttons
that you can see and hear explode when you click them; also games and
movies. But I don't see how that technology offers businesses any real value
on their sites. I just spent a couple of hours evaluating some sites that
are built entirely on Flash - effectively showcasing the state of the art
regarding Flash-based technology. I also read a few *ranting* editorials by
people promoting Flash as the future of the Web and outright dismissing
HTML-based sites. I saw and read nothing that pursuades me that Flash offers
businesses real value beyond a somewhat more polished look and feel when
applied *sparingly* and with great caution. This is my opinion based on my
observations. Being a consultant, I need to be able to provide objective
information to my customers as much as possible. Thus this post. Before I go
around shooting my mouth off about how Flash doesn't offer much real value
to them, I want to first know if that belief is correct. I am hoping that if
it is not correct, someone could explain specifically how Flash can be used
to bring real value to a business Web site. Just looking for high-level
feedback here.

Thanks!

 

[bruce barker]

the scripting language (javascript) that flash uses can call .net web
services directly.

-- bruce (sqlwork.com)

 

[Ken Cox [Microsoft MVP]]

Here's a tool that does nice Flash menus.

http://www.asp.net/ControlGallery/ControlDetail.aspx?Control=2164&tabindex=2

 

[clintonG]

I've re-copied the comments herein from a post I made to another
Microsoft newsgroup [A]. I suggest you -- and others -- become
aware of Microsoft Expression and its relationship to what
Longhorn and Avalon will make possible, i.e. using graphic
representations of a user interface created with vectors which can
be defined using XML grammars.

I begin to briefly discuss this context as follows as I attempt to explain
why I believe Microsoft has recently acquired a vector-based
drawing application called Expression...

<startReCopy />
"Here's Why Microsoft Acquired Expression..."

Microsoft needed technology that can compete with Macromedia's
Flash. Over the last couple of years Flash has become a serious
development tool that can be used to develop user interfaces for
websites [1]. Flash is being extended to other software application
types that use Internet protocols [2]. Flash is being run on all kinds
of devices and is no longer 'just eye candy' but has real functional
value as can clearly be seen by the implementation referred to at [1].

The next version of Windows code-named Longhorn will utilize a
developer framework being called 'Avalon' [3]. This framework will
allow creatives and developers to use Expression to author the visual
'expression' of a user interface for both website applications as well
as desktop applications and those that run on telephones and other
mobile devices.

Longhorn and Avalon will allow developers to extend what has been
created using Expression by using XAML to code creative and
powerful implementations of the user interface for software applications
that run on IIS, Longhorn, and future versions of Microsoft's OS platforms.
More 'insight' about this initiative can be learned by reading this MSDN
article [4].

So, if you always wondered what it would be like to design your
own desktop or interface for a software application such that can
be integrated with the OS and other software applications stick around.
Express is going to be one of the hottest authoring tools around.
<endReCopy />

--
<%= Clinton Gallagher
A/E/C Consulting, Web Design, e-Commerce Software Development
Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin USA
NET csgallagher@ REMOVETHISTEXT metromilwaukee.com
URL http://www.metromilwaukee.com/clintongallagher/

[1] http://www.rr.com/flash/index.cfm
[2] http://www.macromedia.com/software/flex/?promoid=home_prod_flex_111703
[3] http://www.wininsider.com/news/comments.aspx?mid=1849
[4] http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/01/Avalon/default.aspx

[A] Here's Why Microsoft Acquired Expression...
clintonG, 7/16/2004 news://microsoft.public.expression.discussion
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/