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Fusion Authority
The House of Fusion Technical Magazine
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Issue:
108
May 1, 2002
May 7, 2002
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This is an opt-in magazine. To join, leave or change subscription mode, please visit the signup page. All content of this magazine is copyright Fusion Authority, Inc. It may not be reproduced without permission. |
- Community
- REMINDER: Ben Forta to Present on ColdFusion MX 5/13/02!
- Will We See You at CFUN-02?
- CFNorth a Big Hit!
- New Book Announcement: Hack Proofing CF
- New Methodology Project
- New Authorized Macromedia Training Center Opens in New York
- Fusebox Community Steering Committee Election Results
-
- News
- inFusion Mail Server (iMS) Wins LISA Award
- Adobe Wins Macromedia Patent Suit
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- Tech and Tags
- What's New in the Tag Gallery?
- What's New at CFLib.org?
- The Story Behind Macromedia Studio MX
- Trio Motor Company (Sample MX Applications)
- Automating Graphics Production with the Data-Driven Graphics Wizard
- Best Practices with CSS in Dreamweaver MX
- Getting Started with ColdFusion MX and Macromedia Flash Remoting
- Macromedia MX: Components and Web Services
- Three Reasons to Migrate from ColdFusion Studio/HomeSite to Dreamweaver MX
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- Views
- Community Responses on the Adobe/Macromedia Lawsuit
-
- Security
- Macromedia Flash Activex Buffer Overflow
- Macromedia Flash Player 6 Streaming Issue
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Community
REMINDER: Ben Forta to Present on ColdFusion MX 5/13/02!
Don't forget to RSVP to hear Ben Forta, Senior Product Evangelist, present
on
"ColdFusion MX (Welcome to the Future!)"
at the NYCFUG (New York ColdFusion User Group) on Monday, May 13th, 6:30pm
at Alumni Hall "A", NYU Medical Center, 550 1st Ave., New York, NY.
He will be doing one of the first presentations and demonstrations of
ColdFusion MX since it was announced on April 29th. Don't miss this
opportunity to hear about products and features coming in the next months
from Macromedia! Please RSVP today at http://www.nycfug.org!
CFDev.com (http://www.cfdev.com ) and Open Demand Systems
(http://www.opendemand.com), Inc. are sponsoring the event. There will be
food -- refreshements -- raffle prizes (including a chance to win a free
copy of ColdFusion MX and other great prizes!)
You must RSVP to be eligible for our raffle!
There is still one more spot open for corporate sponsorship. If you are
interested in being a sponsor, please contact Judith Dinowitz at
editor@fusionauthority.com.
[Top]
Will We See You at CFUN-02?
Fusion Authority is a sponsor of this event, which is in its fouth incarnation. And each year has been, apparently, better and better! So don't miss the fun -- sign up now.
CFUN-02
http://www.cfconf.com/cfun-02/
The Fourth Annual TeraTech ColdFusion Conference
$199
Saturday, June 15th - Sunday, June 16th, 2002
Rockville Double-Tree Hotel (opposite Twinbrook metro)
Sponsored by TeraTech, MDCFUG and Fusion Authority
Speakers include well known CF authors and speakers:
- Ben Forta "XML"
- Charlie Arehart "CFMX Hidden Gems"
- Michael Dinowitz "UDFs and CFSCRIPT"
- Steve Drucker "Printing, Reporting, and Graphing"
- Raymond Camden "Security in CFMX"
- Sandra Clark "Migrating from CF 5 to CF Mx"
- Adam Churvis "Leveraging the New MX Functions and Components"
- Benjamin Elmore "Leveraging Java in CFMX."
- Shlomy Gantz "Project Management for the MX generation"
- Hal Helms "Implementing model view controller with Fusebox"
- Kevin Towes "ColdFusion Mx and FlashMx Integration using Salsa"
- Robi Sen "Web services and CF"
Includes CF party and networking event Saturday night - you change to
chat with CF's hottest speakers!
So sign up for CFUN-02 today.
http://www.cfconf.com/cfun-02/
[Top]
CFNorth a Big Hit!
Initial reactions to CFNorth seem to have been fairly positive. Some examples below:
- Robi Sen:
- WOW!! What a great conference Kevin and Byron set up and I feel sorry for those of you who missed it. Not only was it one of the most well run and professional conference I have been to, Toronto is also a wonderful and beautiful city. I think I feel in love with the town and can not wait to go back!
I am looking forward to next year.
-
- Hal Helms: (Fusebox Community List)
- I'm just leaving Toronto in a few mins. Just a quick post to say what a
fantastic event CF North was! Kevin Towes and Byron Bignell did a
fantastic job organizing it. Wow.
Alan Williamson, the editor of Java Developer's Journal, and one of the
most respected uber-geeks in the Java world, was here, actually
attending the sessions and was really impressed with the ColdFusion
community. Yay, us! And Mega-yays to Kevin and Byron.
[Top]
New Book Announcement: Hack Proofing CF
Steven Casco and several Boston CFUG members have just finished
working on their first ColdFusion book. Congratulations to Steven!
The book, Hack Proofing CF, is all about securing your CF applications. Steve Casco notes, "We decided to write about security due to the fact that there
are just no books out there that show you step by step guidelines on tightening up CF apps. After several months of work, it is just now
available." See the URL below for more information.
Hack Proofing CF
[Top]
New Methodology Project
Nathan Stanford of CFTipsPlus.com has started a new, open-source community project to build a more intuitive programming methodology for ColdFusion. His stated goal is:
"Create a methodology that is good, free, and one you do not have to teach to a new developer looking at your code. This does not mean they will understand exactly what to do to follow the methodology but it does mean the will be able to follow your code. No need to do special things to make this search engine friendly."
The initial discusion is taking place on the CF-Community list on House of Fusion (http://www.houseoffusion.com), and while it's early in the cycle, a lot of people are looking forward to its implementation.
Re: New Methodology (Post by Nathan Stanford, CF-COmmunity list, House of Fusion)
Nathan Stanford's Idea for a New Methodology
[Top]
New Authorized Macromedia Training Center Opens in New York
Motion Over Time, a New York-based company, has now become an Authorized Testing Center for Macromedia training.
Test your skills, knowledge, and experience with challenging exams that
are a recognized benchmark in over 54 countries. Highly regarded by their
peers, Macromedia-certified developers and designers are considered the
elite of web developers. Once you're certified, people will know they can
count on you to build effective, dynamic, and engaging Web sites.
Motion Over Time is the only Macromedia Authorized Training Partner AND
Vue Testing Center in the New York area.
Here is a special, one-time opportunity to SAVE on Macromedia Training at
Motion Over Time (offers subject to prior sale and class space
availability).
Call for special pricing on the following Macromedia classes:
- Fireworks
- Director
- LINGO Programming
- ActionScripting for Designers
- Authorware
- Flash MX
- DreamWeaver MX
For more information, call Richard Avery at 212.229.1148 or e-mail to ravery@motionovertime.com
[Top]
Fusebox Community Steering Committee Election Results
Congratulations the the elected officials of the first Fusebox
Steering Committee:
- Lee Borkman
- David Huyck
- Patrick McElhaney
- Stacy Young
- Erki Esken
- Kathryn Butterly
- John Beynon
- Benjamin Edwards
- Tom Nunamaker
- Timothy Heald
- Alan McCollough
- Kay Smoljak
- Birgit Pauli-Haack
[Top]
News
inFusion Mail Server (iMS) Wins LISA Award
Our congratulations to On-Line Data Solutions, Inc for winning the LISA Award for innovative software in the office productivity category for their inFusion Mail Server (iMS). The annual Long Island
Software Awards (LISA), judged this year by PC Magazine, recognizes the best of Long Island's innovative new software products
developed during the past year. inFusion Mail Server, iMS, is a fully customizable email server built on ColdFusion, and it is the basis for the House of Fusion mailing lists that serve the ColdFusion community.
"We are certainly pleased to have been recognized for software innovation excellence by the LISTnet organization," stated Howie
Hamlin, Project Manager at On-Line Data. "I believe this recognition makes a statement not only about the quality of our
application, but also about the need for unique and adaptable tools in the highly competitive eBusiness arena."
The Long Island Software Awards is sponsored by LISTnet, the Long Island Software and Technology Network. The LISA Awards
celebrate the strength and diversity of Long Island's software industry. The objective of LISTnet is to promote Long Island as one
of the national centers of excellence for Software and Technology solutions.
Located in Centereach, NY, On-Line Data Solutions, Inc. has been developing innovative software solutions since 1991. Their flagship
product, iMS, provides an open platform, allowing users to create completely customized email applications. For more information on
iMS, visit www.coolfusion.com.
[Top]
Adobe Wins Macromedia Patent Suit
May 2, 2002 -- Adobe Systems won a lawsuit alleging that Macromedia infringed on its patent for "tabbed palettes," a feature that allows users of design software to rearrange the work space on the PC screen. A jury in the U.S. District Court of Delaware awarded Adobe $2.8 million in damages. Adobe said in a statement that it also expects a judicial injunction preventing Macromedia from selling the infringing software.
The product affected is the Flash User interface, but the exact repercussions of this decision are not yet clear. Macromedia's countersuit, scheduled to begin Monday in the same court, charges that Adobe's Photoshop image-editing software and its GoLive Web design software infringe on two patents that Macromedia holds for editing tools. A second Macromedia countersuit is not yet scheduled for trial.
Adobe Wins Macromedia Patent Suit
Will Flash Be Taken Off the Shelf? (Slashdot, May 3, 2002)
Adobe Beats Macromedia in Tabs Patent Case (Slashdot, May 2, 2002)
Adobe Wins Patent Trial Against Macromedia
Verdict Reached in Initial Adobe vs. Macromedia Case
Adobe Wins Macromedia Patent Suit
[Top]
Tech and Tags
What's New in the Tag Gallery?
- Modilo Te1.0
- A very easy-to-use text editor built with Flash MX. The commercial release gives you the original fla source file and a ColdFusion script to convert the content into classic HTML.
- Instant SMS
- dload has built InstantSMS to allow organizations to easily and effectively connect to a Telecommunication Carrier's (Telco) SMSC gateway and access all the added functionality and speed that this provides. For a full description of InstantSMS's technical specifications, visit www.dload.com.au
- *Flash Tree Nav*
- CF_FlashTree is a powerful dynamic navigation system. It allows you to create an unlimited number of tree navigations and customize the color, text properties, and animation styles for each one. After a navigation has been built it is easily implemented into an existing site just by using a custom tag.
- MailBot 3.0
- The new and improved intelli MailBotĀ® 3.0 list management tool will help you reach targeted subscribers and maximize your marketing efforts. Includes subscriber and campaign reports, HTML mail capability, one-click subscriber opt-in/out, and more.
- SMS Demon
- The Industry's most Interactive and Robust SMS Messaging Server. SMSDemon is the most complete wireless messaging platform with the reliability and performance required to operate critical business applications and web sites with wireless messaging capabilities.
SMSDemon allows you to develop multiple interactive messaging services via SMS, such as information on demand, alerting systems and promotions in the most cost efficient way. SMSDemon is capable of independently managing up to 32 GSM Modems (even some generic Nokia phones) connected to a standard PC or server simultaneously. It is a completely scalable solution that will allow you to start with a small number of services and quickly expand with your business.
- CfChat 5.5 Flash&HTML
- CfChat is a real time Web based chat application. It is built totally in ColdFusion language and does not require any Java applets. The chat does not use a database and runs in the ColdFusion server memory. This makes it extremely fast, stable and capable of handling hundreds of concurrent users.
- Chat++
- Need a chat room or customer service interactive dialog page? Chat++ may be used for either purpose.
Chat++ is a browser-based chat facility for websites having access to a Macromedia/Allaire ColdFusion database server. Each user of the Chat++ chat room controls the number of chat-dialog messages they want displayed. Each user of the Chat++ chat room controls the refresh rate of the Chat-Dialog display window.
- Display One Image, Print a Different One!
- This custom tag allows you to specify two images for a location in a document. The Display Image is shown only on the Browser page on screen. The Print Image is not shown on screen, but is printed to paper. This tag was requested by someone who wanted to display a color image on screen, but print a black and white image to paper. This tag could also be used to allow you to print a higher resolution image to paper (say 300 DPI) and a normal resolution image to screen (92 DPI). You may call this tag as many times per web page as you like, and each call will create the needed code to handle the image pair./DD>
- Red_Reservations Calendar
- Red_Reservations is a small calendar application that shows reserved dates in red. To view a demo, go to www.3vsystems.com/products/makered/index.cfm
- ActivMail 1.3
- ActivMail 1.3, is a ColdFusion CFX tag that replaces CFMAIL for bulk emails, mailing lists, newsletters, etc. It is capable of sending up to a thousand emails per minute efficiently and reliably, making it a viable alternative to CFMAIL. Also, since it is written in Java, it works on all ColdFusion Supported Platforms (Linux, Windows, Solaris, HP).
- CF_LotteryOracle
- A CF application that picks numbers for the following types of lottery and daily numbers games: 3-digit, 4-digit, 5-digit, 6-number and Powerball. And, for fun and to increase page activity, the user is required to "give thanks" for the prediction or else receive a random insult.
- CF_DirSize
- Simple Loop that point to Root directory or your personalized directory, retrieve a list of subdirectories and Report to a table the number of subdirectories for all directories and the Directory Total Size.
- pvStats
- pvStats is a real-time data collection and report facility for page view (page impression) statistics for a web site with access to a CF database server. The report options produce color-coded bar charts. The bar charts are dynamically-scaled based upon the numerical range and ceiling value of the record set. The record set is a pvStats database which is fed page view data via a <cfinclude> section of code. This 'collector' include code is placed in each ColdFusion web page for which pvStats are to be reported.
- pvStats
- pvStats is a real-time data collection and report facility for page view (page impression) statistics. The report options produce color-coded bar charts. Option 'Referer' produces a list of referring web sites. The bar charts are dynamically scaled based upon the numerical range and ceiling value of the record set. The record set is a pvStats database which is fed page view data via a <cfinclude> section of code. This 'collector' include code is placed in each ColdFusion page for which pvStats are to be reported.
- cf_fontpicker
- Inserts a textbox and an optional image into your form. When you click on the image, a layer of fonts drop down, each displayed in their own font (like in MS Word). The user can choose one from the list and then the selection is transferred to the textbox.
- SentraCommerce e-Commerce Server
- SentraCommerce is an e-commerce enabler application suitable for small and medium businesses. It helps the store-owner in building a fully functional e-commerce site with its powerful store management features and multiple customization-integration methods.
- Pop Up Menu Pro
- An awesome DHTML pop up menu that is 100% customizable. It is now offered with several predefined style setups. Numerous features allow you to set the animation properties, and Microsoft special effect filters that will give your site a touch of flare. You have the choice of either a ColdFusion custom tag or the raw JavaScript code to use as you like.
- CF_ContentManager Basic Edition
- CF_ContentManger is an affordable, easy-to-use, yet powerful web-based content management system. Over the last 8 years, we have built/designed over 30 customized content management systems for various companies, organizations, and governments. CF_ContentManager is the culmination of everything we have learned while building and testing those systems. This product uses the Macromedia ColdFusion Language and will work with either Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL 7.00 databases.
- Webmail Pro
- Webmail Pro is a robust, reliable, and feature-packed web-based email client driven by ColdFusion. It provides a web interface to read, store, and send mail through any POP email account, offering an address book, inline display of images, automatic hyperlinking of the URLs and email addresses in messages, sending multiple attachments. Users can store their all of their emails on the site including sent mail; they can keep their contacts in the address book; and, they can control their own application preferences. In all, Webmail Pro offers a whole suite of personalized, database-driven email features comparable to Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, and Outlook Express.
- FlexiForums 1.10
- FlexiForums is a feature-rich www board application that is not only powerful but also very flexible. It is designed for small to large businesses and supports multiple forums that can have their own individual configuration, as well as visual theme.
- onLine Bible
- This multi-versional On-Line Bible: Complete with search and customize features. This Bible will allow book marks and margin notes may be added, and you currently have 13 versions, with more coming. All of the current versions are in English, but I'm toying with the multi lingual versions as well. There are also currently 3 Bible games that are included in this system.
[Top]
What's New at CFLib.org?
- EmailAntiSpam
- When given an email address this function will return the address in a format safe from email harvesters.
- IsNull
- Returns True if the value passed to it represents "NULL".
- MessageListDisplay
- Takes an array or struct of basic values and returns and HTML-formatted string.
- QuerySort
- Sorts a query using Query of Query.
[Top]
The Story Behind Macromedia Studio MX
Kevin Lynch, Chief Software Architect of Macromedia, explains his vision and views of Macromedia Studio MX (the new suite of applications that Macromedia is developing, which includes ColdFusion MX and Flash MX).
The Story Behind Macromedia Studio MX
[Top]
Trio Motor Company (Sample MX Applications)
Here are some sample tutorials and applications, based on a fictional company called Trio Motor Company. They require the Macromedia Products Preview Release to load. A nice way to get a heads-up on the coming technology.
Trio Motor Company
[Top]
Automating Graphics Production with the Data-Driven Graphics Wizard
One of the most exciting new features in Macromedia Fireworks MX is the Data-Driven Graphics Wizard. With this new wizard, you can create multiple graphics from a single data source and automate your web graphics production process. The Data-Driven Graphics Wizard is a true product of the MX evolution: it's a Fireworks MX extension with a Flash MX user interface that runs with Dreamweaver MX-edited or ColdFusion MX-generated data. This article gives you a closer look at how it works.
Automating Graphics Production with the Data-Driven Graphics Wizard
[Top]
Best Practices with CSS in Dreamweaver MX
To meet the rising needs of CSS-conscious designers, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX includes many new and improved CSS-related features. With these new features, you can plan for future updates, build websites that are more compatible with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards, and comply with new accessibility laws. This article discusses best practices when using CSS and highlights specific CSS features in Dreamweaver MX.
Best Practices with CSS in Dreamweaver MX
[Top]
Getting Started with ColdFusion MX and Macromedia Flash Remoting
Macromedia Flash Remoting allows you to use ColdFusion MX functionality in your Macromedia Flash movies by using familiar Macromedia Flash syntax and objects. This article walks through creating a simple Macromedia Flash Remoting example. The SWF will use Macromedia Flash Remoting to call a ColdFusion MX component (also known as a CFC) on the server. The ColdFusion component will return a string, which will be loaded into Macromedia Flash and displayed.
Getting Started with ColdFusion MX and Macromedia Flash Remoting
[Top]
Macromedia MX: Components and Web Services
Jeremy Allaire explores the simple and elegant programming model of Macromedia MX, with a special focus on ColdFusion components and how they fit into the new MX model.
Macromedia MX: Components and Web Services (Downloadable White Paper)
[Top]
Three Reasons to Migrate from ColdFusion Studio/HomeSite to Dreamweaver MX
Tom Muck, ColdFusion programmer and co-author of Dreamweaver UltraDev 4: The Complete Reference, gives his three reasons why the new Dreamweaver MX is a shoo-in for migration.
Three Reaons to Migrate from ColdFusion Studio/HomeSite to Dreamweaver MX
[Top]
Views
Community Responses on the Adobe/Macromedia Lawsuit
Here are some memorable quotes from discussions of the decision in favor of Adobe in the ongoing Adobe/Macromedia dispute:
- Michael Dinowitz (CF-Talk):
- Lawsuits are a standard in these days of intellectual property. MM has a suit against Adobe. There will be an appeal on the Adobe win. We'll all be dead and dust before dollar one changes hands on this or any product is removed from the shelves.
-
- Larry Lyons: (CF-Community)
- GoLive vs. Dreamweaver; Illustrator vs. Freehand; ImageReady/Photoshop vs.
Fireworks, LiveMotion vs. Flash, etc.
Macromedia and Adobe are going head to head on most of their product lines,
especially for the web, and MM is hammering Adobe. So as I said, if you
cannot beat them in the market place, eviscerate them in court.
-
- Michael Haggerty (CF-Community):
- For that matter, Apple sued Microsoft over look and feel concerns for their
operating system. I know that about five years ago, that case had not been
settled but had been going on for over a decade.
Without starting up any talk about monopolies...
What this Adobe ruling sets the precedent for is Amalgamated Plastic
Products, developers of the first trapezoidal round edged plastic trashcan
(TREP), to finally go after Microsoft for infringing on its copyright with the use
of the 'Trash Can' featured prominently on the desktop of each Windows
installation. Often, I find myself wondering when APP is going to try to
enforce its copyright and patent protection, where Windows clearly
replicates the look and feel of their product through the use of the desktop
interface.
Being able to drop documents into the 'Trash Can' directly simulates the
distinctive look and feel of TREP without even giving credit to the
manufacturer for having developed the idea in the first place. The TREP
interface, which it is non-mechanical and requires no electricity, is
clearly a valuable idea possessing worth in the marketplace and, by using it
without paying royalties to the patent holder, Windows is causing damages in
that the TREP interface COULD BE utilized to perform similar functions to
its use in Windows. One case where this is true is in the disposal of files.
As computers often possess a connection to a printer either locally or via a
network, users COULD BE using TREP to dispose of files manually instead of
within the Windows product.
These are the reasons for intellectual property laws, in that they keep
other companies from profiting from the work of the original patent holders.
[Top]
Security
Macromedia Flash Activex Buffer Overflow
NT Bugraq reported a vulnerability in the parameter handling to the Flash OCX. We are happy to report that Macromedia was right on the ball here; as soon as this very serious problem was discovered, Macromedia fixed it in the latest release of Flash. However, it is something our readers should be aware of, as those with older versions could be caught unawares.
This flaw could lead
to the execution of attacker-supplied code via email, web or any other
avenue in which Internet Explorer is used. This includes software which uses the web browser activex.
All users of Internet Explorer are potentially affected because this is a
Macromedia signed ocx. NT Bugtraq advises users to upgrade your Flash version
immediately to version 6, revision 29, which does not contain the vulnerability.
eEye Digital Security (Advisory): Macromedia Flash Activex Buffer Overflow
Download the Latest Flash OCX
[Top]
Macromedia Flash Player 6 Streaming Issue
When loading media into Macromedia Flash Player 6, the media will continue to load even if Macromedia Flash Player 6 makes additional requests for media (i.e. .swf, .jpg or .mp3 files), or if the user leaves the web page. This issue only occurs in the ActiveX version of Macromedia Flash Player available for Microsoft Internet Explorer on Microsoft Windows platforms.
For more information, see the URL below:
Macromedia Flash Player 6 Streaming Issue
[Top]
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This is an opt-in magazine. To join, leave or change subscription mode, please visit the signup page. All content of this magazine is copyright Fusion Authority, Inc. It may not be reproduced without permission. |