360Flex and the Labriola Vineyards

Taking a break from Conference planning, and writing Flex apps, Tom and I went wine tasting in MI. Actually I went wine tasting, Tom doesn't drink. Never a fan of drinking alone (not that I'm opposed to it, mind you, but...), we drug our pal Carrot Top. Bet ya didn't know we knew Carrot Top did'ja, we met him in Vegas at MAX '06. Great guy, a bit strange when he pulls something weird out of a pocket, 19 egg beaters tied together with dental floss? Weird. Anyhoo.


We're about three wineries into our little tour when we caught sight of Michael Labriola chatting with one of the vintners  over in the corner. "Hey Mike!! What're you doing here!?" Tom calls over. CT and I grab our tasting glasses and follow Tom over.


"Oh, hey guys. Enjoying this years vintage?" he says good buy to his friend and joins us at a small table.


"Check this out, it's for when you've been drinking too much and can't walk straight." CT pulls out a converse high top with some sort of support struts coming out of it, presumably for stability.


Tom and I look at CT, then at Mike, then shrug. Tom asks, "So Mike, you excited about 360|Flex San Jose? Who should come to your session?"

Taking a sip of cab sauvignon, "Geeks. People who want to know an insane amount about a narrow topic because, while they currently don’t have an immediate use for such knowledge, they are sure they absolutely will someday. Oh, and I think they are right."



Tom and I nod, Mike's other sessions are are hard core and always get great marks. CT looks over at the counter and pulls out some sort of telescoping arm thing with a wine glass on the end. He smiles and winks at all three of us, "Why should they come?"

Mike's a bit shocked that CT asked the question, Tom and I are too, frankly.

"Because statistically, people that exit my sessions (at its conclusion) are .061 percent cooler than when they entered."

I got up and decided to try the Reisling, I'm a sucker for the sweeter wines. I'm about open my mouth when CT whips out some sort of blown glass contraption and starts pouring his glass into it. Some how it all fits inside, then comes out 2x the volume that went in. Mike and I both stare slack jawed, CT ust nods, "That's right."


Regaining my composure, what's let after so many glasses, I ask, "What's the goal of your session?"


Mike is still staring at CT, who's showing the people at the next table some sort of inflatable something-er-other, with the Presidents face taped to it. he shakes it off, "Alright, so I am sort of obsessive about certain things. When I learned to cook, I decided I could only do it right If I understood the chemistry behind it. Magic irritates the hell out of me until I understand the trick. Then one day I started using Flex and someone told me ‘just put these stupid curly brackets around your variable and magically update when the data changes.’ Completely and totally unacceptable. I had to know why, get in the middle of it, figure out how it works, break it, fix it…. You know, normal stuff. So, this session is about taking all of the magic and wonderful mystery out of those stupid curly brackets and boiling it down to a tool that you can use, manipulate, break, rebuild, hang out with, you know, normal stuff."

Tom and I both say, "Sweet" in unison. Now CT is looking at us weird, that's quite a strange feeling, I gotta tell ya. I get up to try the port (my weakness), and Tom asks, "What two sessions are you looking forward to most?"


I bring a glass back for Mike, hoping he doesn't drink port so I can have it, he answers, "I think Alex’s session on versioning support and Renaun’s session on testing, but there are a lot at this conference I actually want to see. Sometimes at a conference you have seen many (most) of the topics presented before, San Jose seems to be a lot of great, fresh stuff. Tom didn’t even pay me to say that."

Truth be told, I write the checks for things like that, but that's neither here nor there.


As Mike tips a sip of a really well ages port, that I was totally hoping he didn't like, I asked him what he'd tell some one that wasn't sure if they wanted to register for 360|Flex San Jose.


"If my sessions makes you .061 percent cool, imagine what might happen if you went to one of the sessions from the cool kids instead?"

Mike's totally right! Coming to a 360|Flex has been statistically proven to increase braininess and over all "let's hire him, he's smart" osity. Oh and we're the best damn Flex Conference out there! Register now, talk wine with Mike! He know's his stuff!

360Flex did you miss the Spring Ribbit Spawn?

Did you miss this springs Ribbit Spawn? Take a look here, and see what you missed!

The Ribbit team covered the API A-Z, talked about the business of implementing telephony into your applications, showed more code samples than a red head has freckles!

Do you really want to miss out on that, AGAIN?

Our FREE Pre-Conference training is open to all registered attendees. Email us at info@360flex.com and let us know you'd like to take part in this summers Spawn!





Not registered yet? Why the heck not! You're gonna miss out on crazy awesome Sunday training, not to mention 3 regular days of the best Flex/ActionScript/AIR content, ANYWHERE. not just in the US, ANYWHERE on this planet! Do you really want to be that person? Register now!

360Flex Free Sunday training for the Java Peeps!

To quote the sidebar at riaone.com, "HttpService does too little; Blah Data Service is too much. R1-RPC/J is just right!"

We're really happy to have James Huang with us for our FREE pre-conference training, covering R1-RPC/J as well as the D.eval() API. Curious? You should be if you've ever wanted eval() in AS3, or wished there was a better way to do RPC calls in your Flex apps.

James will cover a ton of great content on these two incredible offerings, all hands on! This ain't no, 'sit around and listen' training, this is get your hands dirty, code writing, come out a better developer' training!

The Schedule

1:00-2:30:	R1-RPC/J Toolkit hands-on training
3:00-3:45:	D.eval API hands-on training
4:00-5:00:	R1-RPC/J Toolkit hands-on training

About the Training Classes

The R1-RPC/J Toolkit Training

RPC is the necessary evil in client-server systems. You don't like to think about it, just want to use it. Low-level network services in Flex, Flash, and AJAX make RPC possible in RIAs, but using them directly for RPC demands too much mechanical coding. Many home-grown solutions try to shield the unwanted details, but come short in various ways.
R1-RPC/J is a well designed, tested, and supported solution for you to handle all your RPC needs in Flex/Flash-Java systems. It is light-weight, easy to own and use, and friendly for system design. It will also foster better teamwork and improved development process with its unit testing feature.
Seeing is believing. Come to our pre-conference hands-on training at 360|Flex and learn the ideas, solution, and how it will help your development!

The D.eval API Training

It is all about eval(), or lack thereof, in ActionScript 3.
Adobe chose not to have eval() in AS3 for good reasons. But people find other good reasons to have it. With D.eval API, the dispute is silenced — now, you can happily eval() in AS3 if you want to. The question is, how powerful is the supported language for the dynamic code? Here is the good news: D.eval API supports a very potent scripting language embedded in AS3.
For those who have been yearning and crying for the lack of eval() in AS3, come to share the joy and fun of eval()'ing with the D.eval API at our 360|Flex pre-conference training!

360Flex ran into Jonathan Branam at the Apple store

Tom and I were at the Apple store buying a new power adapter for my MacBook Air (There must be a whole market for lost power adapters! or trolls that use them as construction blocks), and guess who we bumped into browsing iPhone covers? Jonathan Branam, speaker at 360|Flex San Jose!

"Hey man, go for the clear one." I say from the software aisle.

"Oh hey guys!" Jonathan says from the display, he's holding a good half dozen iPhone covers. "What brings you here?"

"John lost his power cord again. I think he's single handedly keeping Apple in business, we buy one of these like every week." Tom replies picking up some sort of nubby ipod case that looks like a sea anenemy. "So Jonathan, who do you think should be in your session?"

"Anyone developing Flex components that has pulled their hair out at the AdvancedDataGrid, tried to extend ViewStack, built their own containers, or just decided to roll their own component because the Flex SDK never has the right properties, styles, and too many PRIVATE VARIABLES! Anyone who has said something like "but the dark inner recesses of flex can be a scary place :)" or "My explorations in the source code didn't leave me any the wiser about this" (both overheard online)."He answered, putting the anenemy down and picking up a pack of 5 iPod socks. Really socks? Wouldn't a crew sock do the same? you can get like two 8 packs at Costco.


I pick up my power brick and stop to look at the Apple Keyboard, that came out recently, sans number pad, "Lame, why would I want one without a number pad?Why should they come?"

"I'm going to show them how to get the most out of the Flex SDK by reading the source code so you can make the decision 'stock or custom' ASAP and know which classes to extend to build your masterpiece. They will understand the difference between a UIComponent, a UITextField, a Shape and a Sprite and when to choose each. They'll see how to build solid components and learn from the SDK while avoiding its pitfalls."


Tom is looking at the AppleTV display, trying to get it to show the latest Battlestar Galactica. Suddenly Rainbow Bright pops up on the big screen attached to the AppleTV, Tom sits the remote down and walks back towards us, "So Jonathan, what's the goal of your session?"

"To destroy fear and liberate Flex developers; to turn "I can't figure this OUT! I guess I'll have to look at the source code. OH NO!" into "yes, I know this will work because I read the source code. OH YEAH!" (cue the Kool-Aid Man and stay away from the wall)."

Looking over the external Hard Drives, complete with Apple Store 30% mark up, "What two sessions are you looking forward to most?"

Jonathan walks over to the Mac Pro section, Tom and I stay in the accessories section, the Mac Pro section is guarded by Apple Store militia. "Only 2??? I love the work that Juan Sanchez and Tony Hillerson do. They are two people that I follow. When they present "See the Data, Be the Data." I'll be there learning about custom advanced data visualizations.
I think I'll have to hit Ben Stucki's session on "How to Build a Framework." I really respect his work and am interested in getting involved in some of his efforts. And I am tempted to skip my session and go to Jacob Wright's Advanced ActionScript APIs, but you never know, someone might show up for mine!"

"So jonathan, what do you think Tom and I should tell people who are sitting on the fence of attending 360|Flex?" I ask, walking over to the MacBook Air section, some one is cutting cake with one of the display models.

"It's simple. If you follow Flex development blogs, flexcoders, Flexers on Twitter, and the best agencies and solo acts, you know why you should come:

Adam Flater, Alex Harui, Ben Clinkinbeard, Ben Stuki, Brad Umbaugh, RJ Owen, Chet Haase, Jeff Houser, Josh Tynjala, Juan Sanchez, Tony Hillerson, Jun Heider, Justin Everett-Church, Renaun Erickson, Ryan Campbell, Ryan Friggin' Stewart, Tom Gonzalez (just to name a few).

It just doesn't get better than that."

Jonathan's right. It doesn't get better than that, and if you're thinking about joining us, you'd better not dilly dally. Register Now!

360Flex we ran into Mike Potter on the Curling Rink

Tom and I were taking a break from planning the 360|Flex, and decided to learn how to curl. No not our hair, that cool sport the Canadians like, where you send a stone sliding down a long icy path. Kinda like Bocce ball, but on ice, and equally as unknown. We ran into Mike Potter, Adobe's big cheese for Flex Marketing. He was walking toward the next rink over from ours, he had his own stone.

"Hey Mike!" Tom and I step off our rink and walk towards his, our special shoes make a funny noise as we walk.

"Oh hey guys, I didn't know you curled. Wanna join me? My team is light two men as luck would have it." Mike is polishing his stone and putting on his curling shoes. He introduced us to 'Skinny', his other team mate, from one of the more French parts of Canada.

'Skinny' looked Tom and I up and down, starting and stopping with our rented curling shoes, "I was aboot to go find two alternates, you sure you want these two?"

Mike vouched for us. He probably regretted it afterward.

"Sure, if you're interested in two n00bs on the team." I say.

"Yeah no problem, this is just practice, we're going to try out of for the next Winter Olympics." Mike was practice throwing. Working on his turning, both directions, he's pro for sure!

Tom and I grab our rocks and brooms, and head back to Mike's area. "So Mike, who do you think should come to your session in San Jose?" I ask.

"Developers who are interested in users actually seeing what they’ve built with Flex and AIR. It's one thing to build a great application; It's another to actually promote it and have people use it. This session tells people what resources are available to them to promote their applications. This stuff really works too, unlike that hair club for men stuff. Do this, and people will find out about your application. Guaranteed*. (* Guarantee not guaranteed.)" Mike lines up to deliver his rock, and Tom and I, plus 'Skinny' start sweeping. Tom and I only learned to sweep that morning, so our method was probably as counter productive as it could be, but 'Skinny' kept his mouth shut, and Mike, just made a face like he was having a heart attack, right there on the ice.

As we slid down the ice towards the house, Tom asked, "Why should they come?" Both of us were already outta breath, sweeping was pretty hard work.

"Who cares if you’ve built the coolest application if no one knows about it.  Come to this session and figure out how to make sure the Flex community knows about your app." Mike said between clenched teeth, as the rock slowly veered to the right. It stopped just outside the third ring.

I took my turn as the one to deliver the rock, "Mike, what's the goal of your session?" I asked as I tried my best to put the right turn on the rock, which really put it into a kind of drunken spin.

Mike sweeping like a pro answered, "Help developers promote the cool stuff that they’re building."

Tom is opposite Mike, sweeping like crazy, though I couldn't tell if he was helping or not, "What two sessions are you looking forward to most?"

Mike expertly guided the rock into the ring just outside center of the house, "Mine and mine. Seriously, I’m in marketing now.  The other sessions are too technical for me."

Tom took his turn to deliver the rock, turning it just right. Mike and I with the help of 'skinny' swept it right to the center of the house! I actually did very little, but Mike and 'Skinny' are damn good curlers!

Want to find out more on how to get your great Flex application noticed? Don't miss out on swapping awesome curling stories with Mike at 360|Flex San Jose. Register now!

360Flex Matt Chotin needs a new video idea

Jeff and John were talking to Matt Chotin from Adobe . We asked if he'd be making a video to follow up the outrageously hilarious one he showed off at 360|Flex Atlanta.

Problem is, he's got about 30 days and needs some help with an idea.

That's where we come in: The community needs to help Matt!

A few things to remember, Matt's in San Francisco. Leaving the city sure ain't an option, so no "Flex at Mt. Rushmore" type ideas. Keep it local, keep the effects budget somewhere between Napolean Dynamite and Jurassic Park.

Ok have at it! Leave a comment, let's help Matt out!  Want to keep your idea secret? Email it to info@360flex.com Don't forget that Matt and the Flex team will also be available Tuesday night of the show. Wanna see the video? Wanna chat with the Flex team? Be sure to register now before it's too late.

360Flex Sunday Training: Flex@Yahoo! - A Deep-Dive Look at How We Build Flex Components and Applications

Ever wanted to implement any of the Yahoo! AS3 APIs? Ever wanted to see how Yahoo! Maps can take your applicationto the next level? Yahoo! will be presenting a half day training session on their APIs on Sunday, as part of our FREE pre-conference training.

Since its inception over two years ago, Yahoo!'s Flash Platform team has produced a large collection of Flash/Flex components and libraries. Nearly all of which are open-sourced and available to the developer community for free (http://developer.yahoo.com/flash/). In this session, we'll look at some of their popular Flex components, plus deep-dive under the hood of the source code to see how they were built.

The topics discussed will include:

• The very popular Yahoo! AS3 Maps component:
  We will talk about the efficient tile engine and the techniques of combining a component with rich data APIs.
• The novel AutoComplete manager:
  Though not a visible component on its own, the AutoComplete manager can turn any text input in Flex into an AutoComplete one - we'll demo how to do this.
• The ColorPicker:
  How one universal component can replace twenty different ones.

During the training session, the best questions and comments will receive unique Yahoo! prizes. Additionally, a raffle at the end of the workshop will determine a few winners of Alaric Cole's new book "Flex 3 for Beginners" (O'Reilly).

Don't miss this great opportunity for hands on instruction on implementing sweet APIa from Yahoo!. Register now, and let us know you'd like to attend the training session by emailing us at info@360flex.com.