Flex2 :: TEOApplicationDeskTop
Hello,
Well, I thought this is the time to show all those interested what I am up to. Or a peice anyway. See, there is this nice thread once again about AJAX vs. Flex on flexcoders. No opinions here I just want to show you what my answer is.
Mark Wales brought up a point I have been chewing on for the last 2 months. If I may quote him
As strange as it may sound, one technique would be to use a fixed set of style guidelines - say ones that replicate the Windows look and feel - so that people would be drawn to the interface they know, know how to use, and prefer (vs. HTML) - even while giving the developers behind the scenes a much richer set of tools for implementation.
I have been saying this for a quarter of a year, I just live in New Hampshire and know one listens to me out here in BFE. Instead of trying to make Flex into a frekin space ship like some developers want to do right now, I figure, give em what they want. That is a Windows UI.
By no means am I saying that this is the way, but my strategy is give them what they are used to, they WILL love it! No learning curves and pure power and performance!
I have to screenshots I would like you to observe.
Mind you these are outdated as to the state I am at now since I have source code to look at finally!
Now, in the second shot you see 'Teoti Site', that is an Application loaded into the Desktop. I have algorithms that can save the WHOLE workspace in XML for future loading. See the below XML for an 'example'.
- icon dataProviders
- full resizable windows, min -max measured adjustemnts, cursors etc
- obviously full style and skin control
- inter desktop(peer) sharing
- remoting hook up for DB abstrated file systems
- anything more on this list might actually spark someones interest.! 
<DeskTopFX id="deskTop" path="com.teotiGraphix.core::DeskTopFX" width="100%" height="100%">
<IconFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.controls::IconFX" width="90" height="74" x="55" y="50"/>
<IconFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.controls::IconFX" width="90" height="74" x="55" y="315"/>
<IconFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.controls::IconFX" width="72" height="58" x="64" y="149">
<WindowFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.containers::WindowFX" width="734" height="582" x="55" y="416">
<TitleBarFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.barControls::TitleBarFX" title="Teoti Site"/>
</WindowFX">
</IconFX">
<IconFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.controls::IconFX" width="80" height="58" x="60" y="232">
<WindowFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.containers::WindowFX" width="380" height="244" x="60" y="426">
<TitleBarFX" id="null" path="com.teotiGraphix.barControls::TitleBarFX" title="User Login"/>
</WindowFX">
</IconFX">
</DeskTopFX>
<TaskBarFX"/>
</workspace>
Now imagine a souped up version of the 'workspace' below inside a Window. I am trying to show a UI framework here. If you can see it, your ahead. This takes not art, style or design away from the designer. It's the canvas and skins are able to paint it.
These shots were about a month ago.
This is not even the fun part, I have a whole other section that is DND tabs, dnd tab panes, that create divided boxes. Basically inter application panel managment just like Adobe's Production Studio!
I am a man of personal security, security saves lives, makes friends and above all, makes the user feel good.
Peace, Mike
May 25th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Pleased to say something that was worthy of quoting! Amusingly, I just happened across your site only an hour or so after you quoted me - and I am impressed by the direction you are going. When and how can people get a closer look at your work? (Feel free to email me offline if you prefer)
May 25th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
> When and how can people get a closer look at your work?
Well, probably when I am closer to the white light.
I have had this dream of making a Flash Desktop since Flash6. I actually made a desktop with windows, file tree and all that jaz back then. It was about 4 months after Grant Skinner won the Flash Forward for his Flash OS.
Anyway, you see some amazing things right? Well, let me tell you, this is 3-4 years of testing, idea searching, diaper changing and plan ole ingenuity to create something I see in my mind.
I will start to show more in the next 2 months. There are quite a few 2×4 blueprints of this stuff sitting around my house right now
Peace, Mike
May 25th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Sounds very cool. Do you build components for hire? I am assuming this is not keeping the lights on just yet…
May 25th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
> Do you build components for hire?
Yes, but phone conversations are required to even get me to look ‘your’ way.
This world is full of non-inventive snakes that love to ride on the backs of the inventors. I just kick them off these days and take it as a complement.
Peace, Mike
May 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
More interested in DND functionality……..Pls tell in detail about that..
More thng how u handle remote sharing of rhe desktop?? with VNC in flash???
whats about CPU usage??–a stupid question but its important for me
Anyways take care of yourself & ur child as you both just be reliesed form some serious fever….
May 25th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
> whats about CPU usage??
Well, with what I have now, it dosn’t go above 10-15%… Loading all the stuff, seems to like it. Not to mention you can play with removeChild() for memory and things.
> More interested in DND functionality
That will come later, can’t give away all the greens right yet!
> remote sharing of rhe desktop??
That is for you to find out eh? Lets just say there is a variety of options for my clients in the future.
> some serious fever
Yeah, I felt like I was going to loose it yesterday
> VNC in flash
What is that man? I am bad with acronyms.
BTW, All these modules work together and independently.
Example:
Say you don’t want a desktop but do want DND Divided Box and Tabs, you got it.
Say you want inter app DND TabPanes, you got it.
See, I designed all of this independent of itself. Encapsulation. So basically I have created an extension framework off of Container and added all the gadets in an abstract class.
This in effect gives you the ability to call myTEOComponent.saveWorkSpace() on ANY of our component, no matter what level they are at. And conversly load workspaces wherever you see fit.
Peace, Mike
May 25th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Totally agree about building what they want and not launching ships.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Hi Teo.
I’m really interested in develop an app like yours, maybe you could help me, if I read right, you are only SELLING your product? That would be really shameful. Maybe you could at least tell me what gave you the inspiration XD.
Please send me an e-mail response.