I'm working on a quiz app for Pocket PC. What kind a data base should I use with my Flash?
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I'm working on a quiz app for Pocket PC. What kind a data base should I use with my Flash?
On PPC you have several options:
1) store the results in local shared object as xml data.
2) save over a network to a server side database.
3) use 3rd party projector app (MDM Zinc, FlashPack) to save scores to OS database.
Thanks for your suggestions.
What does i mean to make scores?
From your experience, out of the 3 options, what is the fastest and smallest file size?
by "scores" I mean the results of the quiz.
I dont have experience with using the database capabilities of Windows Mobile.
Perhaps you need to inventory your needs, and from that you might be able to determine which solution is best.
XML in local shared object and native OS database should be faster retrieval than over a network.
Storing values in the local shared object requires the least technical skills, other than perhaps learning XML parsing in Flash. (you dont need to use XML for storage if you dont want to)
Native OS database would give you flexibility for querying data. For example you could compare quiz results.
the quiz results are all text.
questions and answers are all text.
So do you think it would be better to code it inside the swf file?
maybe you should give that a try and see if it meets your needs.
good luck with your project.
Does "MDM Zinc" compile swf files and xml files together in a projector?
I find when I run my swf I have to run it in Pocket PC IE.
From what I understand you can't run a projector file on the pocket PC.
Is that correct?
Projector's exported from versions of Flash up through MX 04 pro do not work on PocketPC because they use a version of the player intended for desktop OS. This player is not compatible with Windows Mobile or other mobile device OS.
If you are interested in full screen apps on Pocket PC, perhaps this explanation will be helpful. In my opinion there are three implementations of Flash on Pocket PC.
Free ActiveX control for PocketIE
- You must provide users with HTML and SWF.
- User must download and install ActiveX control.
- To view your content, user must know to open your HTML file, because Pocket IE, up through Windows Mobile 2003 SE, cannot load SWF directly.
- Pixel dimensions of SWF limited by IE browser.
- Cannot view as a "full" screen application, because of space required by IE.
- Has limited capability to interact with other applications.
Commercial 3rd party .exe
- You purchase software from a 3rd party company which will compile your SWF and related assets into a .exe for Pocket PC.
- You provide users with the .exe which contains your application's assets (SWF, xml, text files, mp3, jpg, other .dlls, etc), as well as a "shell" application to run the ActiveX control in full screen display.
- User must download and install the free ActiveX control
- Users select the .exe to run your application.
- 3rd party projector compilers often support custom icons for .exe.
Macromedia Pocket PC player standalone license
- You purchase a 1 year license from Macromedia to use the standalone compiler software.
- This creates an .exe containing a standalone version of the Flash player (different than the ActiveX control), and a single SWF.
- Users launch your application from the .exe's icon. Macromedia does not provide a direct way to add a custom icon for your app, but there are ways to replace the standard Flash player icon.
So if you need full screen, and a way to distribute multiple files, perhaps a 3rd party projector app would be best.
Here is a list of some 3rd party Pocket PC .exe apps:
You could also get the Standalone license and distribute your application as a zip file containing your .exe and related files.
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/dev...s/sap_ppc.html
I realy appreciate your feedback.
I'm designing everything on a Mac, what do you suggest is the best compiler program out there and is easy to use?
Why such a huge difference in pricing?
HandSmart FlashPack $159
MDM Zinc $999 $599
Bryht FlashApp Builder $169
Ant Mobile Flash Assist $200
Macromedia Standalone $499
If I'm going to spend this kind of money I want to make sure I'm getting what I need.
What do you recommend?
I am not in a position to recommend. I am also in the middle of deciding which to purchase.
Note that the MM option is a 1 year license. After 1 year it stops working.
Some of these have trial versions so you can find out if they do what you need before purchasing.
Perhaps that would your best bet.
I'm leaning towards HandSmart.
Please let me know when you decide what your getting and let me know.
Thanks
Hi there,
a more cost effective & enjoyable method (if you like tinkering like me :)), is to create your own executable with embedded C++ to essentially make your own mini-IE (so you'll still need the flash activeX control) but without having the screen size restrictions of pocketIE.
there's a fairly recent book called 'Flash: The Future' (scott manning's site has a decent review), which explains how you do this.
but i'm sure it's a lot easier using something like flash assist ;).
hope this helps,
Andy
I'm mainly designing and programing on a MAC.
I dont knw anything about C++
How difficult is it to use?
What do you mean by Flash Assist?
Is that a program?
Keith
Hi there,
the sdk software is windows-based so you might be a bit stuck with a mac...
ant mobile flash assist pro is a 3rd party tool which does all the c++ code/project generation for you, but i think you still need embedded C++ & therefore a windows platform.
cheers,
Andy
Thanks for getting back to me. Do you think it would be OK, if I made a xml or txt file database and wrap it into a projector file with Flash assist?
It it possible to wrap several files together to make one standalone file?
Dowapdalilly
Can you please answer my question above?
Thanks