As I mentioned before, Adobe Developer Connection is a great site for developers. On ADC there is an AIR Cookbook and a Flex Cookbook where developers can post source code and samples of how to develop a certain task.

If our group can get 5 or more cookbook posts from now till the end of January, we are eligible to raffle off a copy of FlexBuilder 3 Professional among the people who contributed the posts. Here is an example of a cookbook post.

Every post should count as a chance to win.  So if Member A makes 4 posts and Member B makes 2 posts, we will qualify for the raffle copy since we’d hit the 5 post requirement.  Then Member A would get 4 entries in the draw and Member B would get 2.  The more posts you contribute, the better chance you will have to win.

BONUS!!!
As an added bonus, if we drive 10 or more posts during the submission period, we will also get a copy of Creative Suite 4 to raffle among the contributing members.

So, write those cookbook recipes and start posting.

Top

As we discussed during our last meeting, we are holding a contest to win a copy of FlashEff Premium ($149 value). All you have to do is create a Flash banner that promotes CPFUG. Create as many as you wish. For each banner submitted, you will be entered into the drawing. We will then vote on the one that members will be able to place on their personal site or blog to help promote our group.

Get Started

Step one: Download and install the free version of FlashEff. Get acquainted by checking out the sample files and documentation or view the video tutorials.
Step Two: Download the banner templates and choose from the three different size which you’d like to use.
Step Three: Design and animate the banner using the FlashEff component.
Step Four: Submit the banner (including source files) to manager@cpfug.com.

The templates include the CPFUG and Adobe User Group logos. Please feel free to add any other elements or text that you feel will describe our group. Some examples of key words to use are community, learn, local, support, network, knowledge, sharing, etc.

Deadline will be January 31, 2009 at midnight. We will hold the raffle during our February meeting on 2/5/09.

Top

Thanks to everyone who came out on Thursday. We had a pretty good turnout. Bart brought some beer and Tina brought Hershey’s candy. Here are some notes from the meeting.

Creating Screen Savers
Jim Almeida presented on creating screen savers with Flash and Zinc. With  Zinc you can compile your SWF Files into Powerful Desktop Applications (Projectors) for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. Create Stunning Commercial Applications, Screensavers, Widgets, CD Roms, DVD’s, Kiosks and More.

I also showcased Screentime for Flash, which is another way to quickly and reliably build professional quality Flash screensavers.

New Co-Manager
Josh Kendall is the group’s new co-manager. Josh has some good ideas for the group and will be helping to plan and organize future meetings. Use the Contact forms to get in touch with either of us.

Create a Flash badge, win a license of FlashEff
We have another license of FlashEff to give away. If you would like to be included in the raffle, all you have to do is create a Flash badge/banner that promotes CPFUG that members can place on their personal site or blog. The free version of FlashEff must be used in the entry. I will post more details about the requirements regarding size as well as the CPFUG logo soon.

CS4 Raffle
Congratulations to Art Straub who won a free copy of Creative Suite 4! We will give away a software bundle twice a year and will base it on a points system.

1 point – Attend a meeting
2 points – Bring a new friend
5 points – Present a topic

You may now purchase additional points to increase your chances. These will be $5 per point with no more than 10 purchased points per person. All of the money will go back into the group in the form of prizes, food, etc.

• In order to be eligible for raffles, you must attend at least two meetings per period (each half of year).
• Must be present to win.

New Books
Just added 6 new books for our Book Library. Check them out.

Up Coming Meeting Topics
Gaia Framework, AMF, TweenLite, Loading XML, Animation Techniques

Next Meeting
Our next meeting will not be the normal first Thursday for the month of January since it falls on New Years Day. So our next meeting will be on 1/8/09. Stay tuned for more info on that meeting.

Top

BarCampHarrisburg is a participatory unconference for students, enthusiasts, and professionals to network and share knowledge in an open environment. The event involves discussions, demos, and interaction with participants. Please see the Rules of Barcamp for what to expect.

The focus of this BarCamp will be on Web design, development, and online social media within the context of the Central PA area.

When: Saturday, January 10, 2009 : 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Temple University Harrisburg
Cost: Free

Proposed Sessions/Workshops

• Building a site using the Gaia Flash Framework
• Open source content management systems
• Developing Desktop Applications using AIR
• Developing Android Applications

For more recent details visit http://www.barcamp.org/BarCampHarrisburg.

Top

Date: December 4, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: JPL, Directions

Join us for our third and last meeting of the year. CPFUG seems to have taken off very well these past few months and people have been mentioning their excitement about the group. I am excited about whats to come in 2009 and what we can accomplish and learn.

New Co-Manager
I am happy to announce that we now have a co-manager. We will reveal who that is during the meeting.

Creating Screen Savers by Jim Almeida
Being able to create screen savers is a great feature to offer your clients or organization.  Jim will show us how to create screen savers using Flash and Multidemedia’s Zinc 3.

Jim Almeida has been programming for over 28 years and started writing code on a TRS80 in 1980. He is presently the sole web and multimedia developer/designer for Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

Software Give-a-way!
Just in time for Christmas! We will be raffling off a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 4. The winner will choose between CS4 Design Premium, CS4 Web Premium, or CS4 Production Premium. We will also be giving away some books and other swag.

Sorry it took so long to post this. Please RSVP if you plan on attending so I have an idea on the head count. I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!

Top