Well, PDnH development continues steadily. Other jobs are starting to slow the progression of development now, but things are progressing - honest guv!
The first major hurdle has been overcome; pdnh_TextProbe is a new function that searches through text looking for PDnH code hints. These hints control classes like the column generator, infomation boxes and dynamic content lists. In fact, you could write your own class and tie it to a PDnH code hint, which is the idea eventually.
Code hints use this syntax;
< (!)–PDnH(name) arguments START –>
In reality, the exclamation marks are not in brackets, thus hiding the code hint from the user when the page is rendered normally (viewing source will reveal the hints). The arguments are read into an array and passed to the registered plug-in targetted using the (name) part of the tag. All code hints should START and END, even those that have no internal content. pdnh_TextProbe can handle nested code hints, for example; a three column block within another column block. Below is how a code hint should end its block.
< (!)–PDnH(name) END –>
Currently I have only written two plug-ins for pdnh_TextProbe, ‘column’ and ‘box’, but more are following. When PDnH is released I invite you all to write more. Below is an image of the column plug-in in action. These columns are rendered using < div > tags unlike the current tabular columns.
(Click to enlarge)
31.Mar.06 
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Adobe Flash, as it is now known, has been around for almost ten years, first making an appearance in December 1996. Flash was originally a tool to provide vector based graphics and animation to web sites. During the early years as a vector based animation tool, Flash lacked any real programming capabilities, although a simple scripting language was emerging.
Having been a user of flash since version three, I have witnessed this animation tool transform into a programming language and rich internet application platform. The changes have been astounding. What was once a simple, and rather quirky, scripting language has grown and developed into a fully blown object-orientated language. The Flash Player is now distributed with almost every browser, and is supported on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (Version 7 currently, 8.5 coming soon). A ‘lite’ version of the player is pre-installed on a number of modern mobile phones and PDA’s.
So Flash has arrived. But until recently there was a problem. Flash was proprietary, owned and controlled solely by Macromedia (now Adobe), ensuring that if you wanted to create Flash content, you either had to buy Macromedia Flash or a 3rd party solution. Either way, Macromedia were getting a royalty.
But recently things started to change. Firstly, Macromedia launched their < labs > site, which allowed the community to try and test new products before they were launched - for free! Then they announced something even more unbelievable, the next version of Flex would support Eclipse, the open source IDE originally from IBM. This meant that anyone could download Eclipse, install the Macromedia Flex component and start creating Flex code, all for the price of an internet connection.
While Flex was receiving a lot of attention, Flash has been quietly going on as a proprietary plug-in requiring Adobe’s IDE to create code and compile it. Recently, there has been movement by the OpenSource community to release Flash from its shackles and give it back to the people.
Two projects in particular have recently caught my attention and I have been happily creating simple Flash applications without ever touching Flash 8.
Firstly there is ASDT, or ActionScript Development Tool, a plug-in for the Eclipse IDE. This allows development of actionscript classes in the Eclipse environment with easy, code-highlighted text for functions, variables and everything else you would expect. Some argue that ASDT is better than Flash 8 at this task.
Secondly, you will need an open source flash compiler. For this you can use MTASC that allows you to create SWF movies from a bunch of .as classes.
Using those two tools, anybody can program and create Flash applications without the need to ever open Flash 8. A number of open source servers have emerged to host additional Flash content, that you would otherwise have to pay top dollar for. One example is Red 5, an open source development that allows the live streaming of flash video content.
For more information, check out these sites and articles.
Open Source Flash
Far beyond Open Source Flash development
ASDT
MTASC
Eclipse
29.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
Partizan Lab, a leading international animation production studio, has produced some of the most groundbreaking animated commercials, music videos and short films in recent memory. Overtime (pictured) is just one example of some of the brilliant work featured within this sites vast library of animated greats. Artists and directors from all over the world are featured, including some of the finest animation from graduates of Supinfocom, the Parisian school dedicated to 3D animation.
This site can occupy hours of your time watching these little gems. Also, visit Partizan, the live action sister company featuring the works of Michael Gondry and Edgar Wright (Dir. Spaced/Shaun of the Dead) amongst others.
Partizan - Live action production
Partizan Lab - Animated production
Partizan Lab in particular has inspired me to get on with my next animated short, Bibliothèque, which I am producing with my sister throughout this year.
25.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
Quanta Computer (Taiwan) has won the contract to manufacture the new video iPod that is rumoured to have a widescreen touch sensitive display.
Whatever the video iPod is and does, this should certainly bring to a head the discussions Apple and Hollywood are currently in to distribute feature films through the iTunes Music Store. Apple have already started distributing Disney films for $9.99 through iTMS in America.
Look out for announcements in April, maybe even on April 1st - although a number of false announcements could be expected that day, especially from a company that used to fly a skull and cross-bones above their HQ.
22.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
After a week of fighting with BT, wrong lines connected to wrong flats and lost buildings, our phone line has been restored and the internet will return on Wednesday 29th March. Business as usual from then…
Look out for a new look to Polaris Digital shortly afterwards
22.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
To celebrate the fact we are moving this week, I thought I would post this great QuickTime VR link that I found while using Google Earth. This QT VR was shot sometime in the summer, probably in September 2005 looking at the progress of the Beetham tower in the background.
Our flat, the second balcony up facing the camera, is clearly occupied and you can just see one of my speakers behind the drawn curtains. The balcony itself is covered in Siân’s plant pots and other flora.
Our new flat is situated up one floor, and round to the right (as we look at the tower). A big party is planned in the very near future to celebrate our completion on this property. It was an interesting experience, given the upset around Christmas, but it just goes to show a little hard work and determination can achieve wonders.
Take a look around The Macintosh Village here. For the best experience, select the Full Screen version link found under the main VR image.
06.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
Due to the fact that we are moving this week, I will be disconnected from the Internet for two weeks from Friday, 10th March. I will be making regular trips to my local Nero’s with my laptop to use their wireless connection, so I should be able to receive and respond to email’s during that period.
Once reconnected, our phone number will remain the same.
05.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (0)
There is a common myth that in 1519, the Spannish explorer Fernando Cortes landed an invasion force in Mexico with the intention of taking power from the ruling Aztec’s. As he landed upon the shores of Mexico, Cortes ordered his ships to be burnt as he claimed they were invested with Shipworm (Teredo). In reality Cortes was ensuring his men where properly motivated for the task ahead as there would now be no way for them to get home.
The validity of this story is a little hazy as some argue that Cortes saved a few ships just in case the worst happened. However, the moral remains.
Some of the readers of this blog will wonder about why certain events happened at the beginning of this year. Take inspiration from this story in your assessment. There is no going back!
01.Mar.06 Uncategorized Comments (2)
