LPS 2.1 Dev Integration with Flash, FCS

[wfarnaby]

Hello:

Before buying into and embarking on any development with the Laszlo Presentation Server (2.1 or later), I'm curious to know how well the LPS can integrate with the proceedures and assets of Flash MX Pro 2004 and the Flash Communication Server, and also how easily the work of "the creatives" (i.e., media designers) can be used with the new LPS development methodology.

In particular, I have these questions:

Can Flash Components be used in LPS GUIs?

Can Flash Movies be embedded / overlayed in LPS GUIs?

Can the LPS play well with the Flash Communication Server?

How much of the design and look and feel implementation of a LPS GUI can be done by a separate "creative" group?

Any additional information about the current or near-term capabilities of the LPS in regard to these issues would also be most welcome.

Thanks!

[antun]

Hi wfarnaby

Can Flash Components be used in LPS GUIs?

No, Flash components are not supported in the LPS, although the LPS ships with a number of components (http://www.laszlosystems.com/lps/examples/components/style_example.lzo?lzt=html). Although the LPS uses the Flash 5 (or later) player, there is no bond to it in the long term. In other words, if a better runtime becomes as ubiquitous then the LPS will support it. Therefore the LPS cannot tie itself to Flash-based components.

Can Flash Movies be embedded / overlayed in LPS GUIs?

Yes, you can use .swfs as art assets, and if they have animation in them, you can start and stop them. Actionscript in embedded .swfs might work, but is not supported.

Can the LPS play well with the Flash Communication Server?

Can you tell me what kind of interaction you're thinking about?

-Antun

[wfarnaby]

Antun:

I haven't used Flash Communication Server before, or yet examined its example apps, but I at the very least will want to use the FCS to upload digital video (perhaps in a couple of formats) from clients to the server and then stream it out to some other clients.

So, I'd like to have a LPS GUI (entire GUI in the LPS would be ideal, as I suppose) and be able to invoke the FCS to upload media assets (like digital video) as well be able to have the FCS stream / display media assets.

Thanks,
wfarnaby

[wfarnaby]

Antun:

Forgot to mention, also instant messaging functionality (using the Flash Communication Server) in my LPS GUI... possible?

Apologies for these generally vague questions - I'm a J2EE expert, not a FCS or LPS expert (yet)...

[antun]

I'm not sure about that. Uploading digital video (I think) is a Flash 6-specific feature, which the LPS doesn't support right now (although support for Flash 6-specific feature is coming in a future release).

If I remember correctly, Flash Player 6 can access the client machine's webcam, but I don't believe it can read a file (e.g. a movie) straight from the hard drive of the client.

Streaming/displaying won't be a problem at the moment, although you'd have to convert your digital media to SWFs (quite straightforward).

Take care,

Antun

[antun]

Forgot to mention, also instant messaging functionality (using the Flash Communication Server) in my LPS GUI... possible?

IM functionality comes with LPS as standard - you don't need Flash Communication Server for that. I have to stress this point - the LPS isn't about Flash; it's about web applications.

-Antun