However, sometimes I simply want to trace elements into the console of either Safari or Firefox. This is as simple as using ExternalInterface and a small javascript method that takes a single parameter and writes it to the browsers console, via console.log(). Which can then be inspected via Safari’s debug panel or within Firebug on Firefox. And yes, I realise I could use Flashbug or something similar, but to be honest, I hardly ever use Firefox, hence the desire for something that works in Safari.

Simple example file is attached.

Source files
Simple Flash logging (98)

To cut a long story short, I had a project come up that needed a javascript full browser background image class, and being the nerd I am, I thought I’d roll my own rather than use any existing jQuery plugins.

I approached it from a Flash standpoint, and tried to replicate the way I use my Flash full browser classes. So rather than operating on a container of image urls as most jQuery full browser plugins do I set this one up to respond to a method call, and load and display each image as requested. The reason for this approach was that I wanted the plugin to only load what images were requested, by me when I wanted them. I’m thinking however of adding in the ‘operate on a container of image urls’ approach to a future iteration.

As this is my first attempt at writing a jQuery plugin I’ve probably made a ton of noob mistakes. Let me know how it works and any bugs you encounter.

Plugin Features

• Set Fade in time
• Center image within browser window on x axis
• Callback methods

An example of loading a single image;.
http://www.noponies.com/dev/jquery-npfullbrowser/static.htm

An example of setting up a slideshow;
http://www.noponies.com/dev/jquery-npfullbrowser/slideshow.htm

Source Files
Here is the relevant source file; jquery Full Browser Background Images (380)

By downloading, you agree to the terms of use, outlined here: http://www.blog.noponies.com/terms-and-conditions

Dependencies
Zero

Now to find a job, if anyone knows of any Flash work going over here, drop me a line.

I have a job, house, etc thanks to all the people who posted links. Now I just need the weather to warm up.

While I give most of my files away, I do stipulate that they are not used as the base for making money off of, by turning them into templates etc that are on sold multiple times. Generally this is a good faith agreement, between myself and whoever uses my files. I have received alot of help from various blogs and forums with learning ActionScript, and this blog is a means to return some of that help.

What was and is most frustrating about this experience, has been my dealings with Flash Den, and the user who ‘borrowed’ my file. It was pretty clear cut to me, that this user had stolen my source. I mean, I decompiled his preview and had a look at it to see.

Seems that FlashDen were just taking their time, and have since removed this offenders and another’s from the site. So, well done to them.

Check out this for similarities:

His file contains these constants;

public static const BG_LOADING:String = "newslideloading";
public static const UNLOAD_BG:String = "unloadbg";
public static const BG_LOADED:String = "newslideloaded";

My file contains these constants:

public static  const BG_LOADED:String  = "newslideloaded";
public static  const BG_LOADING:String  = "newslideloading";
public static  const UNLOAD_BG:String  = "unloadbg";

His has these vars (just some of them)

private var YminStageSize:int;
private var useMinStageSize:Boolean;
private var XminStageSize:int;
private var imageScaleProp:Number;

Mine has these vars (again, just some of them)

private var useMinStageSize:Boolean;//use a minimum stage size?
private var XminStageSize:int;
private var YminStageSize:int;
private var imageScaleProp:Number;

You get the idea. Not only were the constants, vars the same, but the method names were the same, along with the functionality of each method.?Ǭ†The only change was the shift from tweenLite to tweener for some animation, and the removal of all the garbage collection methods and event handling. The guy was so crap, that he left the constants in there, not understanding that they were for custom event dispatches, but deleted the custom event handling. The user was adamant that he didn’t use my file, when clearly he had. After a few emails, he decided to delete ‘my’ file once he realised he had been caught out.

I decided to report him to FlashDen, and provided the FlashDen staff with my source files, and a link to his. Their response was that no copyright infringement occurred, and that the user probably just deleted his file to “make some modifications”. I couldn’t believe it, I mean, clearly his file is totally based off of mine. This user is still happily uploading new files.

So, in the end, its worked out OK. FlashDen took their time, which I guess is OK. As they investigate any issues, rather than issuing instant take down notices if someone thinks something is copyright.

On another forum, some other user posted class files from the Martha Mclean website I wrote, trying to get help with the mess the decompiler made of it all. I recognised the code instantly and questioned where it came from. What an idiot. If the dude actually just tried to learn how to do it, then he would be set, its not even that hard..

Well, they actually seemed to like it, so its been printed. You can have a look at it here: http://www.threadless.com/product/1203/Yawn