Cascade Server Flash & Data Integration

1. Cascade Server Flash& Data Integration 2009 Cascade Server User’s Conference Justin Klingman Manager, Web Design & Content Management Beacon Technologies, Inc. September 29, 2009 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

2. Introduction • Who am I? • Beacon Technologies, Inc. • Automate, Grow, and Showcase Your Business • Cascade Server Consultation, Development, & Hosting • Custom Software Development, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Creative Media, Hosting 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

3. Introduction • My Cascade Server World • Purchased in April 2005 as “PublishXML” • Official partner of Hannon Hill • Participate on the Product Advisory Council • Conduct end-user training 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

4. Introduction • About today’s session • Use XSL and XML to integrate Flash projects within your site • Provide easy ways for end users to maintain Flash applications using Data Definitions in Cascade Server • Strategy for organizing files for Flash projects 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

5. Benefits • End user can update Flash • Time & expense savings • End user won’t be able to mess up Flash code 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

6. 30,000 Foot View • Flash player written to read its data from an XML file • Create Data Definition with necessary data elements • Data Definition attached to the homepage • Data Definition outputs data via XSL into Flash player’s XML file format 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

7. Step 1: Develop Flash • Design • Identify elements end user will update • Develop • Updatable elements read by Flash from XML file • Create XML file your way…Cascade will adapt using XSL • Get it working outside Cascade 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

8. Step 2: Import into Cascade • Load files into Cascade • Use separate directory for Flash files (.swf, .js, .xml, etc.) • Turn off write access for end users • Import images to be used to folder editable by end user 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

9. Step 3: Data Definition • Include all updatable elements for XML file from Step 1 • Can have data elements for other functionality 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

10. Step 4: Embed Flash • Use XSL to embed exactly like HTML file from Step 1 • Hidden from Cascade using CDATA • Flash does not display in Cascade • Develop way for end user to see what they’re doing 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

11. Step 5: Enable Front End • Attach Data Definition • Attach XSL • Use current-page block if not using <system-region name=“DEFAULT”/> • Edit homepage and fill out data 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

12. Step 6: Flash XML File • Convert Flash XML file to page asset • Output as XML using target • Use simple XML template • Indexes homepage Data Definition • Will overwrite XML file created for Flash in Step 1 • Not directly editable by end user • Will need to be published by end user 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

13. Step 7: Publish • Publish to Web server to test • You’re done • Bask in your easy success • Thank your Flash developer • Gloat to other developers • Tell your boss it took weeks • Don’t tell him/her that if it took one day 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

14. Additional Ideas • Expand to pull in data from across site • News, Student Bios, Calendar events, Sports scores, etc. • Can use same technique for other applications • Silverlight, Java applets, JavaScript, .NET, PHP, etc. • Control full flash sites with Cascade 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference

15. Questions? • Remind me to repeat the question! • My Contact Information: • Justin KlingmanBeacon Technologies, Inc.http://www.beacontechnologies.com/jklingman@beacontechnologies.com336.232.5685 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference