Amazing Progress With ActionStep
I am always amazed at what can happen when a bunch of people decide to make a change in their lives either personally or professionally. The ActionStep crew looks to be in that "transitional" mode right now, taking themselves (and us) into a new direction for Flash development.
What I thought ActionStep was is not what it is; I thought it was simply a new set of components, something like mCom (the component set that once was glic). But no, that is not exactly what they are doing. The OS Flash site states that the effort is to "ActionStep is an Actionscript 2.0 implementation of a subset of the OpenStep Application Kit. The intent is to create an open-source component framework for writing Rich Internet Applications for the Flash Player." and they appear to be quite on their way to doing just that.
Think about it: a completely open source component framework that is based upon NextStep/OpenStep/GNUStep/Cocoa Application Kit which is an already established framework. It will compile properly with MTASC, the open source Flash compiler. If there are bugs or issues with a component, you have access to a group of developers that created all the elements of that component. If you fix a bug in a component, you can submit it to the repository so that everyone can make use of it. If you want to distribute the components or the framework, you can without breaking any liscencing agreement with Macromedia.
What also amazes me is the progress that the ActionStep developers are making. If you take a look at their roadmap you will see that they are trying their best to be completed by the end of the year. Take a look at the estimated progress that they have already made. And this is from volunteers.
I have been attempting to keep a close eye on this effort because I strongly believe that it will be something that I will be using in the future. If I end up with some free time I will be jumping in to assist, if only for testing.
One note to remind everyone: Richard Kilmer will be presenting at this week's OSCON. I look forward to seeing his presentation online after his session as I am unable to attend.
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This is really great news for osflash development!!!
My name is Danny Miller. I'm a Flash Developer in Marietta, GA (portfolio: k2xl.com). I can't believe I've never heard of you. We should get in touch (email me). I'm the organizer of the Flash Meetup Group (http://flash.meetup.com/112/); check it out.
I never knew Atlanta had a MMUG. I thought they only had one for coldfusion. Don't know how I missed yours.
I look forward to hearing from you,
-Danny