adobe, flash lite, nokia, s60

If you spend any time at all searching the online Flash forums, you’ve most likely seen post after post about how to make a pre-loader. In Flash MX and earlier versions, you had to create a bar with a fill color that moved across the page based on a percentage you calculated using getBytesLoaded and getBytesTotal in some ActionScript code. This method (or using the new MovieClipLoader class) is still preferred by those wanting to create a custom look for their loader. There are many tutorials on the Internet to help you create that custom look you desire. However, if you simply want a quick and easy pre-loader so that visitors to your site can see that content is loading, check this out!

The ProgressBar Component included with the Professional version of Flash MX 2004 makes it easier than ever to produce a high-quality pre-loader for your projects. It automatically retrieves the progress of loading content so you no longer have to worry about calculating it yourself. In the Professional version there are two items that you can point the ProgressBar to that will make it work the way it is intended: a screen and the Loader component. Without getting into all of the gory details of how it works, we’ll step through making a pre-loader with the ProgressBar component utilizing both of these scenarios. Within a few minutes you’ll have a progress bar zipping its way across the screen so you can get back to the meat and potatoes of your site: its content. Let’s get started!

Let’s assume for these exercises that you have a wonderful SWF file that you have spent hours (maybe days or weeks) on, preparing it for publishing. We’ll call that file main.swf. In both tutorials, it will be the content that we are loading and measuring the progress of. As you follow these steps, replace main.swf with the name of your SWF file.

Note that these tutorials assume you have some familiarity with creating new documents in Flash MX Professional 2004, the layout and workings of the Flash IDE, and the use of components.

Tutorial One: Using the ProgressBar Component with a Screen

1. Create a new Slide Presentation or Form Application document. For this example, we’ll use the presentation document. By default, Flash creates two slides for you automatically: the “root” or main slide called presentation, and one child slide called slide1. You can rename these if you like, but it isn’t necessary.
2. Select slide1 and make sure the Property inspector is open. slide1 is going to be our “loader”, so to speak. In the Parameters tab of the Property inspector you will see a parameter called contentPath (see below). Enter main.swf in the parameter field. Note that we will save this new document in the same folder that our main.swf file is located in

1. With slide1 still selected, drag a ProgressBar component onto the center of the Stage and give it an instance name of myPB.
2. With the component selected on the Stage, we are going to edit the parameters in the Property inspector.
   • Change the mode parameter from event to polled. This tells the ProgressBar to monitor the loading progress of what we put in the source parameter.
   • In the source parameter, enter presentation.slide1.content. This tells the ProgressBar to monitor the loading of slide1’s content.

   

1. Open the Library panel of your document (Ctrl+L / Cmd+L) and right-click on the Loader component that is shown there. From the menu that appears, select “Linkage…”. In the Linkage Properties dialog box, uncheck the “export in first frame” checkbox and click OK.

Ofcom said last year UK networks must reduce MNP times from five days to two days from April. Two hour transfers must be implemented by September 1, 2009. A Vodafone spokeswoman said: “Ofcom’s decision is insufficiently researched; it will prove more costly than it assumes and will not benefit customers.”

Ofcom said it would “carefully consider” the appeal. A spokeswoman said: “The new rules are challenging but achievable, and beneficial for consumers.”

The problem occurs on the black version of the 6110 and is a software error, which makes the navigation application freeze when the UK and Ireland map is loaded. The fault occurs on a batch of handsets being distributed by Vodafone.

Both Nokia and Vodafone have already received hundreds of complaints from angry customers and are in the process of replacing the handsets.

A Vodafone technician revealed: “We received lots of calls about this complaint. Customers are telling us once a map of the UK and Ireland loads a padlock appears on the screen and the handset freezes. We’re now in the process of replacing the handsets.”

Nokia has confirmed it is aware of the issue and has organised a Freepost service for customers affected by the fault.

A Nokia spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue with a small number of handsets that have been shipped to customers and we are working with Vodafone to rectify the situation.

“We have also advised Nokia Care Centres and are currently putting in place a Freepost service whereby any affected customers can send the handset and memory card to the service hub and corrections can be made quickly and efficiently.”

Vodafone claims it has removed most of the faulty stock and is in the process of recalling the remainder from its stores.

A Vodafone spokesperson said: “We have already identified a large proportion of handsets in our warehouse and these will no longer be issued.

“A small number may be in-store but these will be removed from sale as quickly as possible. Any new stock issued from our warehouse to our retail stores will not be affected.”

AGRAVIS employees needed a uniform and flexible solution for their mobile communications. Read how these employees now use Nokia Eseries devices for mobile access to their email, calendar entries, and contact data.

In the world of interactive game publishing, success can be hard to come by unless you have deep pockets. And, the boutique massive multiplayer online (MMO) interactive game niche is just about the toughest market to crack, particularly for programmers working on their own.

Independent game developer Gene Endrody, a likely inspiration to solo programmers everywhere, figuratively and literally quit his day job and, against all odds, hit the jackpot in the massive multiplayer online gaming (MMOG) space. By following his dreams and using Adobe technology to make them come true, Endrody now heads up Maid Marian Entertainment, a company that produces Sherwood Dungeon, one of the world’s most popular 3D, browser-based MMOG done in Shockwave.

Maid Marian Entertainment Inc. is a leading developer of next generation web-based games specializing in community oriented multiplayer games. Immersive 3D virtual worlds, where players explore and interact with other players around the globe, are delivered to any web browser. By clicking on a link, without any retail box to purchase, total user engagement is at hand.

“What I do is build massive multiplayer games that deliver an experience close to that of a traditional retail game—but that you play right in your web browser,” says Endrody. “Adobe Director software and Shockwave Player made it possible for a small independent company like mine to distribute games without jumping through retail hoops or competing with the larger console game publishers.” Endrody’s story is truly a David vs. Goliath fantasy about one person who starts something in his basement and, on his own terms, turns it into something big.

MaidMarian.com attracts over 1.3 million unique visitors a month with up to 4,000 simultaneous players at a time logged into the multiplayer games. The lion’s share of visitors play Sherwood Dungeon, a multiplayer game which Endrody views as somewhat of an ongoing experiment where he continuously tests new ideas as well as the creative possibilities that Director software and Shockwave Player afford. Sherwood Dungeon is a free 3D fantasy world where thousands of players come together to defend their honor in combat and join a community of like-minded participants.

Adobe® Director® 11 and Adobe Shockwave® Player software help you create and publish compelling interactive games, demos, prototypes, simulations, and eLearning courses for the web, Mac and Windows® desktops, DVDs, and CDs. Integrate virtually any major file format, including video created with Adobe Flash® software and native 3D content, for the greatest return on your creativity.