Flash & AS3 info, source, & experiments
ActionScript
Flash Network Programming via TCP/IP, part 1
Apr 23rd
A while back I led an ActionScript 2 project with two other classmates in a Network Programming class I was taking at EWU. We created a Flash game we called “Zelda Arena” in which multiple players on multiple computers would connect via TCP/IP to a C++ server. You could custom color your own hero (Link) and duke it out against each other with your sword. I wanted to take the idea a lot further, but figured Nintendo might not appreciate it. Here are a couple of screen shots:
If Nintendo happens to read this, I would love to build you this game for your website! A guarantee it would generate a lot of traffic. But alas, you will probably just steal my idea. Then again, I guess I stole yours first. 
Anyway, I have since redone a lot of ActionScript 3 networking code. In the near future, I’ll post some further information on Flash/AS3 networking and share some free classes to simplify the process. Stay tuned…
Converting AS2 Code to AS3
Apr 23rd
I recently had reason to attempt to convert a few old ActionScript 2 classes to ActionScript 3. I stumbled across Patrick Mineault’s post about his AS2 to AS3 converter and decided to give it a whirl. It worked better than I had expected actually. I ran my code through the converter, spent about 10 minutes fixing a few small details that it didn’t catch and I was up and running–nice! It is certainly not a completely full proof converter but is nonetheless a great time saver. Unfortunately, Patrick is now “retired” so I doubt we will see any future updates, but it’s a great place to start.
Getting started with AS 3.0 / Flash CS3
Apr 20th
The increase in performance and capabilities of ActionScript 3.0/Flash CS3 over AS2/Flash 8 is astounding! I intend to discuss this more in the future, but for those who haven’t yet made the jump and are considering it, I cannot possibly urge you strong enough to make the jump. Especially since Flash Player 9 is at 83.4% in the March 2007 penetration study! To make this transition a little easier, here are some useful links to start learning it:
Adobe Flash CS3 Quick Starts
ActionScript 3.0 brief overview
Adobe Flash CS3 Samples
Adobe Flash CS3 User Guid (pdf)
Flash CS3 Documentation
ActionScript 3.0 language reference
ActionScript 3.0 Cheatsheets
Migrating ActionScript 2.0 code to ActionScript 3.0
ActionScript 3.0 Tip of the Day
Getting Started with ActionScript 3.0… (by Senocular)
Kirupa ActionScript forum
Flashmove ActionScript 3 forum
Adobe Flash forums
Have fun!
Not Another Blog!
Apr 18th
With a zillion Flash platform blogs already out there, why am I starting another one? Because I believe taking without giving is inherently wrong.
I started Flash development in Flash 4 and instantly fell in love with the platform. I’ve had my rants about it over the years, but for the most part, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I was especially pleased when the Flash 9 Public Alpha was released. I downloaded it the same day and I literally have not used ActionScript 2.0 since.
The information sharing and open source Flash platform community has helped me tremendously over the years and I decided it’s finally time I start giving back. Aside from working on group effort projects, such as Tweener, I intend to post many experiments, utility classes, and tutorials on this site as well. Like John Grden’s claim, I’m not an OS activist that hates corporate work; but I do love the OS community and intend to play an active role in it. More to come soon…
