Dynamic Flash

It’s been more than a while since I posted anything useful on this blog, partly because I’ve been busy with other things and partly because things have been pretty hectic at Yahoo! for the past few months. Now things have calmed down a little, I’m hoping to spend more time coding and writing here, starting with a post tomorrow on how to use the upload functionality of the ActionScript 3.0 Flickr API Library to build a simple Flickr upload tool as an Adobe AIR application.

Update: Okay, so a small post on the upload functionality has turned into a multi-part post on using the AS3 Flickr API Library. Expect the first part around the middle of the week.

‘Tis the night before hack day, and all about London geeks are gathering. Okay, it’s not that dramatic, but tomorrow is a pretty big deal if you’re a technology geek. If you’re coming along to the Yahoo! and BBC Hackday at Alexandra Palace tomorrow, please come and find me and say “hi” - I’ll be the guy working furiously to try and get the ActionScript 3.0 Flickr API updated to match the latest Flickr API release so y’all can use it in your hacks.

Oh, and check your email for an activation code to sign up to the backnetwork to keep up with goings on.

See you there.

Yahoo and the BBC are running an Open Hack Day at Alexandra Palace on the 15th and 16th of June 2007. The event is open to everyone, and is a chance for you to get together with like-minded geeks for 24 hours of hacking fun. You’re free to create your hacks using whatever technology floats your boat (even Silverlight, if you must) and I’ll be there with the rest of the Yahoo! team to help out with any questions you might have.

The event is being held over a weekend, and you’re more than welcome to bring along a sleeping bag and bed down in a quiet corner of the venue. There’ll be presentations from some of the industry’s most respected developers, awards for the best hacks, free food and drink and even a super-secret concert after the awards ceremony, with a big UK band signed up to provide some well-earned musical relief. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one.

I would love to see a good turnout from the Flash developer crowd, so if you’re interested you’ll have to be quick to register - most of the 500 places have already been snapped up. If you want to come along, get yourself over to the official Hack Day sign-up page and put your name down. Due to the limited size of the venue, we will be reviewing applications for attendance and giving preference to those we believe will best be able to contribute to the development of a hack at the event. To support your application please enter information (such as a link to your blog or other online presence) in the “Special Requirements” section on the third page in the registration process.

The brand new Yahoo! ActionScript 3.0 API libraries are now available from the Yahoo! Flash Developer Network. This includes API libraries for Answers, Weather, Search, Upcoming and a brand new Yahoo! Maps AS3 Communication Kit that allows you to use Yahoo! Maps from a Flex 2 / ActionScript 3.0 project.

The libraries come complete with documentation and sample applications for you to get your teeth into, so there’s no excuse for not getting stuck in.

Incidentally, if you’re wondering why Flickr was left out of the above list it’s because Adobe already has a perfectly good ActionScript 3.0 Flickr library.

Every year Yahoo! gives its employees a Christmas present. In the past we’ve received fleeces, blankets and sleeping bags, but this year we’ve been allocated an amount of money to donate to a charity of our choice. We can donate to any US registered charity, including the likes of Amnesty International and Greenpeace - but I would like to donate the money to a smaller charity where the impact will be greater.

Since I don’t live in the US, I thought I’d turn to you to see if anyone out there knows of a small, worthy charity that does good work for children. Leave a comment and I’ll check them all out and choose one from your suggestions.

Many thanks, and Happy Christmas

Update

So I’ve decided to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Not quite the small charity I was hoping for, but these people do some really good work in the UK with terminally ill children.