Posted by travischristopher on May 12, 2008 at 10:40pm
Anyone interested in collaborating on Zen like flex theme, specifically someone who can code the AS3 DTO's? The idea being to model the project after the features and functionality currently available in the Zen theme, but built in flex.
Its my feeling that if we had one good starter theme for flex it would allow designers and themers to more easily get started creating more advanced flex themes.
I'm also wondering if there might be some overlap or lessons we can learn from the patterns.module. http://drupal.org/project/patterns
Comments
Very cool
I really like the idea and would like to contribute if possible. Unfortunately, I can't code AS3 DTO's. However, I do have experience with flash (basic ActionScripting), animation and graphic design and could hopefully contribute in those areas. Check out broseldesign.com and callachair.com and let me know if you could use help in those areas and what the scope of the project might be.
By the way, my colleague, sarvab, created the patterns module and I helped in testing.
AMFPHP
If AMFPHP is going to be involved then the project would need to adopt VO's (Value Objects), which is like DTO's but is mapped directly to classes (AS<->PHP).
Generic DTO's would be good. There's a lot to do and I think the Services module is doing a decent job at supplying services for out-of-the-box Drupal.
Chris Charlton, Author & Drupal Community Leader, Enterprise Level Consultant
I teach you how to build Drupal Themes http://tinyurl.com/theme-drupal and provide add-on software at http://xtnd.us
which ever architecture makes sense
I was thinking http://drupal.org/project/swfaddress and http://drupal.org/project/services at the very least. Maybe http://drupal.org/project/patterns, an install profile or http://drupal.org/project/DAST to get everything configured.
I'm currently working my way through your book Flex Application Development. I've been using flash since 99, but as a designer, not a developer, recently just got Flex builder installed. I've got a good block time available in my schedule and am ready to help out where ever i can to help make this happen.
TravisC
Flex 3/4
If theming is the key at some point the Flex 4 (MXML-G) would be the better target. It's open too.
Plus, the current Flex 3 SDK has History Management so SWFaddress shouldn't be needed (on the surface). Services is a must, with AMFPHP module. Patterns, I really like what it's doing. The Install profile is something I was starting myself, I should just finish it and post. Hmm, maybe this weekend. DAST seems neat, I need to read that.
Chris Charlton, Author & Drupal Community Leader, Enterprise Level Consultant
I teach you how to build Drupal Themes http://tinyurl.com/theme-drupal and provide add-on software at http://xtnd.us
Can MXML-G concepts be applied to a project already in the works
or do we have to build the project with MXML-G architecture in mind? When exactly will Flex4 be ready? Will MXML-G require flash player 10?
I not of sure of the advantages, i think more then anything having the base building blocks in place, so people can see this working sooner then later would be most beneficial.
If it needs to be rewritten for Flex4 then so be it, the Drupal community is pretty used to that anyways...
TravisC
Plain vanilla?
Was it in your mind that the Flex theme be a plain (white) vanilla theme, or the standard "Halo" theme provided by Adobe?
Chris Charlton, Author & Drupal Community Leader, Enterprise Level Consultant
I teach you how to build Drupal Themes http://tinyurl.com/theme-drupal and provide add-on software at http://xtnd.us
GPL'ed, CSS friendly components would be nice
Are there any GPL'ed or other component groups worth supporting more then others? It would be cool to take advantage of Flex CSS support as much as possible. Since the administration backend of the site will most likely be standard Zen style themed drupal site, if there was one CSS file that gave the flex and the standard XHTML/CSS site all of its colors and basic styles, that would be ideal.
TravisC
Check out what Degrafa does
Positioning and size isn't available in Flex's CSS, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be programmed. Check out the Degrafa project to see how they enhanced the CSS in Flex. (I love it)
http://www.degrafa.com
Chris Charlton, Author & Drupal Community Leader, Enterprise Level Consultant
I teach you how to build Drupal Themes http://tinyurl.com/theme-drupal and provide add-on software at http://xtnd.us
Degrafa looks very cool
seems like it does allot of what MXML-G will do. Which got me started looking around and found some interesting resources for flex skins http://www.scalenine.com. I don't think CSSP is critical although that might be a good goal for the project. Some combination of degrafa and best practices for skinning flex makes allot of sense.
TravisC