November Meeting - Recap

Thanks to those who came to the meeting tonight. Here's a recap of the meeting and some helpful links:

Buzzword, "an elegant online word processor, enables individuals to work together to create high quality, page perfect documents. Because it was built with Adobe Flex™ software and runs in the Adobe Flash™ Player, Buzzword enables greater document quality, outstanding typography, page layout controls, and robust support for integrated graphics, regardless of the browser or device. The application also will run on Adobe® AIR™, offering users a hybrid online/offline experience and the ability to work with both hosted and local documents. The powerful collaboration capabilities in Buzzword enable multiple authors to edit and comment on documents from anywhere, at anytime, while document creators can set permissions that virtually eliminate version control chaos. For more information on the acquisition and access to Buzzword beta software, please visit http://www.adobe.com/go/buzzwordfaq."

RSS Basics:
http://www.whatisrss.com/
"RSS (Rich Site Summary) is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. Many news-related sites, weblogs and other online publishers syndicate their content as an RSS Feed to whoever wants it.

"RSS solves a problem for people who regularly use the web. It allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites you are interested in. You save time by not needing to visit each site individually.

"What do I need to do to read an RSS Feed? RSS Feed Readers and News Aggregators Feed Reader or News Aggregator software allow you to grab the RSS feeds from various sites and display them for you to read and use.

Once you have your Feed Reader, it is a matter of finding sites that syndicate content and adding their RSS feed to the list of feeds your Feed Reader checks. Many sites display a small icon with the acronyms RSS, XML, or RDF to let you know a feed is available." EXAMPLE OF RSS ICONS: http://www.feedicons.com/

Other uses for RSS feeds would be using an AJAX script to load in an RSS feed (XML) to use as Content Management System (CMS) for a client.

Thanks to Shane for introducing us to the "Jaw-Dropping Photosynth Demo! Photosynth creates breathtaking multidimensional spaces with zoom and navigation features that outstrip all expectation. Its architect, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, shows it off in this standing-ovation demo."

JobOp: Senior Flash Application Developer

Senior Flash Application Developer

http://www.jplprod.com/careers/positions.asp#flash

Do your ideas make waves? Do you have a passion for using Flash to develop amazing interactive experiences? Are you able to lead a school of developers, project managers, account managers and designers - even out of water?

JPL Productions is casting its net in search of development sharks. If you are a Senior Flash Application Developer who can create a sensational user-experience through integrated Flash applications like a fish takes to water, you may be our PRIME CATCH!

Characteristics we are seeking:

• Bachelor's degree
• 7+ years experience and advanced knowledge of Flash, ActionScript and OOP(building in classes, not just functionality)
• 10+ years professional experience in multimedia, web or application development
• Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Experience with XML data integration, (intermediate knowledge of ASP.NET, web services and other server-side technologies is a plus)
• Excellent communication, time management, organizational and presentation skills and be comfortable working directly with clients
• A good understanding of designing site functionality, interaction, site architecture and data flow, user interfaces, and intuitive navigation schemes
• Desire and ability to thrive in a high-pressure, client-services driven environment while working on multiple projects simultaneously both individually and as a team member
• Must be knowledgeable in current web, broadband, and portable digital content technologies and trends and have the ability to learn new proprietary software and web applications very quickly

Nice to Haves:

• Experience developing RIAs in Flex
• Experience working with ActionScript 3.0
• Experience developing for Mobile technologies

This is an opportunity to apply your talents with a creative company voted one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania five years in a row. If you can fine tune Flash development standards while pushing the use of new technologies, take our bait, throw us a line! Small fry need not apply (must have at least 5 years of professional experience in interactive design). Please send us your resume, portfolio and web links to: hr@jplprod.com. No recruiter calls please! EOE.

JobOp: Web Producer/Planner

Lancaster-based Stoner Bunting Advertising has a full time opening for a Web Producer/Planner. This position will be responsible for managing all internet-related projects for the agency. Day-to-day function will be the liaison between agency, technology vendor(s) and client(s).

Responsibilities/skills include but are not limited to:

1. Have a solid understanding of the web, web marketing (web 2.0, SEO, SEM, analytics, paid search, e-mail marketing, e-commerce)
2. A strong understanding of HTML for optimum design and performance across all platforms
3. Plan and coordinate website architecture and content
4. Maintain website content
5. Manage e-mail marketing programs
6. Assist with maintaining paid search marketing programs, banner ads, SEO, SEM, etc.
7. Accurately provide specs to get competitive vendor estimates
8. Ability to prioritize, multitask, adjust (can adapt effectively to changing needs/goals)
9. Excellent organization, verbal, written and phone communication

Salary commensurate with experience.
Please send resume to: cgadreau@ stonerbunting.com
www.stonerbunting.com
EOE

Ad from: http://jobs.pennlive.com/

Adobe Magazine (Free!)

Subscribe to Adobe Magazine - a free, online quarterly, and discover fresh insight and tutorials from the wide world of visual communications. You'll see work that's breaking new ground, get an insider's perspective on how it was created, and find new ideas and tools to enhance your own projects.

November Meeting - November 28, 2007

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
6-8pm

East Shore Area Library - Computer Lab, 1st floor (basement)
4501 Ethel Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
No food or drink is allowed in the computer room
GoogleMap
Information about the meeting location

Meeting Agenda:

• Buzzword - The first real collaborative word processor for the web.
• RSS Basics - Make your life easier with Really Simple Syndication
  
• "Snippets" - Various short topics and tips - share yours!

Please feel free to post a comment if there are any topics that you'd like to see covered, or if you are interested in presenting a topic.

O'Reilly School of Technology - 30% Discount

O'Reilly School of Technology Courses: UG Members Receive a 30% Discount
O'Reilly School of Technology has opened its virtual doors with educational offerings and certification for IT students looking to further their careers or to launch one. As an O'Reilly User Group member, you save on all the courses in the following University of Illinois Certificate Series:

• Linux/Unix System Administration
• Web Programming
• Open Source Programming
• .NET Programming
• Client-Side Web Programming featuring AJAX

To redeem, use Promotion Code "ORALL1" good for a 30% discount, in Step #2 of the enrollment process. Each course comes with a free O'Reilly book and a 7-day money-back guarantee. Register online.

O'Reilly School of Technology - 30% UG Discount

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

O'Reilly School of Technology Courses: UG Members Receive a 30% Discount
O'Reilly School of Technology has opened its virtual doors with educational offerings and certification for IT students looking to further their careers or to launch one. As an O'Reilly User Group member, you save on all the courses in the following University of Illinois Certificate Series:

• Linux/Unix System Administration
• Web Programming
• Open Source Programming
• .NET Programming
• Client-Side Web Programming featuring AJAX

To redeem, use Promotion Code "ORALL1" good for a 30% discount, in Step #2 of the enrollment process. Each course comes with a free O'Reilly book and a 7-day money-back guarantee. Register online.

O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing (TOC) Conference - NY

O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing (TOC) Conference

TOC takes place February 11-13, 2008 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. Register Now and Save $200

Technology is transforming publishing. Are you ready for the future?

Driven by the Internet, technology is fundamentally transforming publishing. Creation, development, production, distribution, and consumption have all been touched by the changes and challenges that have accompanied the greatest shifts in publishing since the printing press. Which technologies are important? Which provide exciting business opportunities? And what are the strategic questions you need to consider in adopting new models?

The second annual O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing (TOC) Conference considers what's at stake for the future of publishing for people who are passionate about books and book publishing. Most publishers know that next steps are needed—TOC helps them take the plunge and connect with the right ideas, tools, and innovators. The conference will emphasize practical/tactical information and knowledge transfer so that attendees come away armed with skills to lead change within their own organization. Learn more about TOC

Who Attends TOC?

The TOC Conference is for people and organizations (big and small) that care about books across the publishing industry and beyond, at all levels of technical expertise: Editors, authors, and agents; marketing and production managers; consultants and business managers; librarians, researchers, and academics; and technologists rethinking the form of the book itself.

Additional information at http://en.oreilly.com/toc2008/

MTV Adobe® AIR™ Challenge

MTV and Adobe are teaming up to bring you the "MTV Adobe® AIR™ Challenge." Think you can make the coolest Adobe® AIR™ application worthy of MTV's digital age? Then give it a shot!

We've lined up some great prizes for the three we like best - the "Total Request Application" Grand Prize and two finalists, "Pimp My Assets: Mashup" and "Making The Wildcard." So, get Adobe™ AIR®, grab some MTV assets, and start coding!

Make it:
So you want to make an Adobe® AIR™ application, awesome. We're looking for three great ideas - they could be anything. Go simple and practical or complex and addictive. It's up to you! First, download Adobe® AIR™. Then check out all of the MTV assets available to pull in to your application - everything from MTV.com RSS feeds, Video & Podcast mRSS Feeds, and MTV Blog Feeds to and outlandish MTV art.

Remember, we’re looking for three of the coolest and best applications the developer world can create.

Need Help? Be sure to hit up Adobe® Labs for info on Developing with Flex and Flash and Developing with HTML and JS.

Submit it:
You've coded all night, tweaked your app to perfection and it's ready for the limelight. Now what? Fill out the entry form, be sure to read the rules, terms and conditions and submit the form and your killer app! Our judges are eagerly awaiting!

Use it:
Got friends? Great! Invite them to use your application creation! We'll post the best applications on this site in January so everyone can get a chance to play. We'll announce the judges' selection in February.

Prizes:

Total Request Application - Grand Prize

• Two night trip for two to New York City
• MTV "VIP" Night On the Town
• "Pitch Session" with MTV Networks Product Development Team
• Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection
• MP3 Player & One Year Subscription to Rhapsody Music Service

Pimp My Assets: Mashup - Finalist

• One night trip for one to New York City
• "Pitch Session" with MTV Networks Product Development Team
• Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection
• MP3 Player & One Year Subscription to Rhapsody Music Service

Making The Wildcard - Finalist

• One night trip for one to New York City
• "Pitch Session" with MTV Networks Product Development Team
• Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection
• MP3 Player & One Year Subscription to Rhapsody Music Service

Pearson Education User Group (Discounts)

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

Pearson - Education User Group Program (Discounts)
informIT.com, ciscopress.com, ibmpressbooks.com

35% discount

Receive up to 35% off every purchase on informIT.com and our partner imprint sites (ciscopress.com and ibmpressbooks.com)! Just follow these easy steps for added savings:

• Go to www.informit.com/join to sign in
• Enter the following member code: USERGROUP

* You are only required to register and apply the member code once, but you must be logged in to automatically receive the special pricing.

O'Reilly User Group Program (Discounts)

As a CPAUG Member, you receive great benefits, perks, discounts and freebies!

O'Reilly - User Group Program (Discounts)
http://www.oreilly.com/store/
35% discount

Receive a 35% discount on O'Reilly, No Starch, Paraglyph, PC Publishing, Pragmatic Bookshelf, Rocky Nook, SitePoint, or YoungJin products purchased directly from O'Reilly. Use discount code "DSUG". Orders can be placed online at http://www.oreilly.com/store/ or by calling 800-998-9938. As a CPAUG member, you are also entitled to a discount on O'Reilly conferences and tutorials. Other special discount offers may also be forwarded to CPAUG from time to time.

October Meeting - Recap

Thanks to those who came to the meeting last night (on Halloween, no less!). Here's a recap of the meeting and some helpful links:

• CPAUG has some great benefits for you including discounts on books and e-learning from companies such as: Apress, Friends of ED, Lynda.com, Packt Publishing and Peachpit. All offers and discounts will be updated on the CPAUG website. Also, if you have an RSS reader, such as Google Reader, please feel free to subscribe to the CPAUG blog - it's an easy way to keep updated on everything including benefits!
  

• PaperVision 3D - PaperVision 3D is 3D engine for Flash 8 and 9. Here is the link to the GoToAndLearn tutorial that we viewed at the meeting (click on "Basics of Papervision 3D).
• Some examples of PaperVision 3D can be found here:
• http://papervision3d.org/
• http://wiki.papervision3d.org/index.php?title=Examples
• http://labs.blitzagency.com/?p=93

• Google Analytics - Google Analytics is a way for you to learn even more about where your visitors come from and how they interact with your site. It's easy to implement into any website and is useful not only for web developers but also for business needs such as advertising and marketing. Google Analytics is free to all advertisers, publishers, and site owners. Check out the product tour.