DesignKitty

Adobe Flash is starting to have to find different ways to leverage itself in the new web world. It used to be that you could create web pages with roll overs and simple effects and, more likely than not, it would require the Flash plug-in. However, the new crop of javascript libraries and various other APIs which have started popping up have somewhat marginalized the need for some of Flash’s functionality.

In the early 2000’s, Macromedia/Adobe started to position this tool as the basis for RIA, (Rich Internet Applications). You can see the fruits of their labor with their release of AIR in 2007. Flash is no longer used solely for passe website introduction pages, casual games or as a container for videos. The case can be made that it is a platform which could be leveraged to bring bigger and better applications to the web.

Aviary

One very good example of this is Aviary.

“Aviary is a suite of rich internet applications geared for artists of all genres. From image editing to typography to music to 3D to video, we have a tool for everything. At Worth1000, we are creating a complex ecosystem for artists and providing the world with free, capable collaborative tools and an approach to collaboration and rights management that will turn the marketplace for online art on its head.”

If you get the chance, check it out. One of their most impressive tools is Phoenix, an image editing tool. A while back on the [epa-webowners] email distribution there was an post about Adobe releasing an online version of Photoshop. It turned out to solely be a release of an image gallery application, something along the lines of web-based tools such as Flickr, WebShots, and Photobucket. Personally, I was not impressed. Phoenix, on the other hand, is AMAZING.

Phoenix is positioned as an online image editing tool authored in Flash. I strongly suggest reading this article from downloadsquad:

Currently, the only tool available for use right now is Phoenix, a layer based image editor, with others soon to follow. We checked out Phoenix and thought it was pretty impressive. It has extensive features for indepth editing which should work for the casual user and pro alike. Some of Aviary’s tools will have an AIR version so you can use them offline and then sync when you get online.

Next time we’ll have a brief look at acrobat.com.

I was sitting at my desk yesterday, trying to quietly doze off to my mid-morning nap (not to be confused with my planned siesta nor pre-departure slumber) when my co-worker, Matt, sends me an email with a link in it. I thought nothing of it since we try to keep each other in the loop for interesting technology stories and such. What he sent me, though, was a link to an articl in the Huffington Post - Bush To Filipino President: “I Am Reminded Of The Great Talent Of The — Of Our Philippine-Americans When I Eat Dinner At The White House”. I read it and then I sat there. And then I read it again, followed all the associated links and then stared blankly at my monitor.

The sound that you may have heard is my open palm slapping myself on the forehead while I shake my head, not in anger or disgust, but in embarassment.

It isn’t so much that I don’t agree with the politics of the administration it is that I can’t get my head wrapped around the fact that my nation’s leader met with the leader of another nation and very subtly pretty much pidgeon-holed an entire nation as servants. Reading it made me feel like I just popped open a book to read about early 20th century American imperialism and how Americans referred to Asians as either their “little brown brother” or “little yellow brother”.

Face it, the Philippines is not a rich country. What is one of the largest exports of the Philippines? Humans. Filippinos leave in order to find work in other countries, most of the time as domestic help - nannies, maids and, yes, cooks.

I mean, seriously -

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. We have just had a very constructive dialogue. First, I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that — in which there’s a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the — of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.
PRESIDENT BUSH: And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President.
PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

I can’t imagine what he’d say to a visiting African dignitary. “We have a lot of African-Americans who love it here in America. I’m reminded of their great talent everytime I watch professional sports.”

Or a the head of a hispanic country: “Buenos dias! I would like to tell you how proud I am to be the President where there are a lot of Latin-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. I am reminded of their great talent everytime I see them doing the landscaping and mowing the White House lawn.”

To make matters a little more interesting for me, they shut down the street between the building I work in, Metropolitan Square, and the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. Lots of blacked out Suburbans and Yukons and DC police. There were also a ton of secret service folks around, dark suits, sunglasses and their ear pieces in. Truly, it is quite the hubbub that happens when someone important or something big is happening. Turns out the Philippine president is most likely there.

I should stop buy and say hello.

You know, I used to work in offices that were similar to this. It was a grand old time, full of energy, creativity, fun and productive people. It seems like it was so long ago.

The Great Office War
Yeah, I need to find a similar environment to be in.

I have heard from several of you that you wonder where my updates are. I find it interesting that, once you filter out the search engines and spammers, I have a pretty decent number of regular readers. Why haven’t I been updating this more? Simple - I’ve been cheating on you.

For the past few weeks I’ve been posting the front page over at That’s Just Not Right. You can check out the list of posts by checking out the archive of front page posts.

Wow. I’ve been posting there since March 22nd! Oh, and if you think you’ll take a look behind a government firewall, think again: this site often ends up on content filters.

We’re off to Arlington to see dad today. It is Father’s Day, my second one without him. It hasn’t gotten any easier trying to cope with this. All week long I’ve felt myself starting to well up to cry whenever I think about it.

I’ve been jealous of all the people wishing other’s Happy Fathers Day, buying presents and gleefully saying what they’re going to do with their families. It has almost gotten to the point where I’ve started to despise them; spending time with their dad or their children is something I can no longer claim to have the luxury of doing.

I miss my dad so much. I keep catching myself starting to cry thinking about him and how he passed away; how I wasn’t there for him.

For those of you who still have fathers or who have chilldren I wish you a Happy Father’s Day from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy the time that you have together while you can.