Date: November 6, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: JPL, Directions

Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in AS3
By Josh Kendall

Learn the basic concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in an easy to follow visual way, as well as why you should use it, and what OOP means in AS3. Whether you’re a developer who only codes in the timeline, a developer who only knows AS2, or a designer who has never programmed a line of code. If you’re open to learning you will understand the basics of OOP in AS3 by the end of this presentation.

Josh has been honing his programming skills for close to a decade and is now the Senior Web Developer for Inovat in Elizabethtown, PA. His technical ability in many programming languages, especially PHP and Actionscript, and his focus on an enjoyable user experience can be seen in each project he completes, whether large or small. Josh aspires to continue learning all he can about new web technologies while working towards developing well-built and flexible applications for Inovat’s clients.

FlashEff Component
by Shane Hoffa

Learn about one of our new sponsors, Jumpeye Components, who has hooked us up with a couple premium licenses of their #1 component, FlashEff. ($279 value)

FlashEff is a Flash CS3/CS4 component created for easing the animation process. It is also a collection of over 100 patterns that enable cool animations and interactive actions on visual objects and texts. Even if you’re a Flash beginner you will find FlashEff easy to work with since no coding skills are required. It can be used/customized from both, the visual interface and API.

There is a free version of FlashEff that you can download and start using now.

Submit your Feedback
Before the next meeting, please take a second to answer this short 6 question survey so we can better serve the group. Your feedback is crucial.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending the meeting.

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Christopher Ross of thisismyurl.com is holding a Flash animation contest.

Create a Flash animation no longer than two minutes in length about winter, the winter season or holidays in winter.

Prizes:

1. First Place wins $500 and a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 4
2. Second Place wins $250.
3. Third Place wins $100.
4. Most commented video wins $75.
5. Most linked to video wins $75.

Click here to find out more about the contest.

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Flash CS4 along with other Creative Suite 4 applications and Flash Player 10 is released today. Trials will be available in November but you can register now to get notified.

There is already an update for Flash Player 10 included with Flash CS4.

The top features of Flash CS4:
Object-based animation
3D transformation
Inverse kinematics with the Bones tool
Procedural modeling with Deco and Spray Brush
Motion editor
Metadata (XMP) support
Motion presets
Authoring for Adobe AIR
H.264 video support
XFL support

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O’Reilly Media is conducting research about in-person, live workshops on
software and business topics, and we’d really like your opinion.  If you
live in the United States and work in the tech industry, please consider
taking our 19 question survey to help us understand what you look for in
a live training course, what motivates you, what you expect to get out
of a workshop, what topics you’d like to see, and so forth.

To participate, please go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3bFGXzVnXige7WrPdJ0wAQ_3d_3d

To show thier appreciation, they’ll select 10 people at random to receive a
free book of your choice.  The drawing will happen on Friday, October
17, so you’ll need to complete the survey by that date to enter.  The
last question on the survey will ask for your e-mail, they’ll use that
only to contact the randomly selected winners, and your responses will
remain anonymous.

Good luck!

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Thank you to those who came out to our first CPFUG meeting last night. There were 26 in attendence and people seemed to be really excited about the group. I have a really good feeling that this group will take off and be a great community. We enjoyed some pizza (thanks JPL) and beer, although nobody touched the Seagrams (shocking). We discussed some ideas on how the user group should be structured and what topics would be covered. We gave out some great swag including books, t-shirts, and stickers. We also checked out some of the new features of Flash CS4, which you can check out here.

Another Benefit!
One of the Adobe benefits that I can’t believe I failed to mention (the beer might have played a role) was the bi-annual software giveaway. We as a group will be giving away two copies of CS4 every 6 months, where the price of each may not exceed $2,100. Which means any CS4 bundles except for the Jedi Master Collection. We will have a points system in place that is based on attendance and participation. [Insert applause here.]

In search of a Co-Manager
The group needs to have a co-manager to help plan and organize meetings and events. Along with this role comes some nice benefits from Adobe like access to NDA Adobe info, free certifications and software, and more. WARNING: It is a lot of work. So please only be interested if you have a passion for uniting local flashers in the area, and the time to do it. Email me if you are interested, along with ideas you may have and why you should be considered.

Meeting Notes:
List Serve: We had a request on having a list serve so we can all communicate together more easily. Good idea. I will look into it.

Business Neutral Meeting Place: There was a suggestion about holding our meetings at a business neutral location besides JPL. The theory was that some might not attend meetings if they look at JPL as their competition. I happen to know that JPL supports and encourages these types of user groups so local developers and designers can grow their skills and network amongst themselves. We are coming together as individuals, not companies. And based on the survey we held, 94% of the group prefer the meetings to be held at JPL. So we will continue to keep the current location.

Members Site List: We will have a page on the site were we will list any sites you may have. This will be a great way for those to gain exposure for potential employers and others interested. Just email me if you would like your site(s) on the list.

Book Library: As our sponsors send us free books, we will archive some of them in a shared library so we can all benefit. There will be a list of books on our site where you can see what is there, and check them out for a period of time. The majority of the group was in favor of this idea. We will see how this works out and adjust if necessary. We will still raffle off books as prizes as well.

Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Thursday November 6th. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on topics you’d like to see, or if you would like to help out. More info to come.

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