best practices
Understanding that we should be using standards and best practices throughout e-learning development, the question becomes “what standards and best practices should we follow?” Here’s my attempt at outlining some basics. Please feel free to suggest additional items in the comments section. Follow established “web” best practices. Separate presentation
changelog
Small but important edits: * Added snippet of code to double-check API connection is active before returning a ‘true’ boolean value. * Fixed a typo for evaluating whether an error code has been returned from the LMS Also added some code from the Firebug folks that allows Firebug’s “console” functions to
CSS
I just saw something interesting I thought I’d pass along. In the new HTML 5 proposal, the strong element is being modified to represent “importance rather than strong emphasis.” The WHATWG gives the following example: <strong>Warning.</strong> This dungeon is dangerous. <strong>
ActionScript
I just finished an ActionScript 2.0 class file meant to be a companion to my JavaScript SCORM API wrapper. Update: AS3 version now available, too. Simplified syntax The idea was simple: give me (and others) a way to make SCORM calls using ExternalInterface without having to constantly type ExternalInterface!
e-learning
I’ve been a longtime user of the ADL wrapper (with code from the late Claude Ostyn), and to be honest, it’s pretty much met my needs. But I was never completely comfortable with the wrapper for two reasons: 1) The code is hard to read with confusing and
Tips and Tricks
Update April 7, 2008: I’ve written a new AS3 class named LegacyCaptivateLoader that uses ExternalInterface to bridge the AS3 SWF and the Captivate SWF. Check it out. I guess I’m late to the party, but I only recently realized that although a Flash Player 9 SWF can load
technology
I’ve noticed many people use programs like TechSmith SnagIt to get screenshots. While SnagIt is a fine program, I think in many cases it’s overkill. Here’s a really simple way to get screenshots without needing any special software. 1. Grab screenshot using Print Screen. 2. Paste screenshot
Tips and Tricks
Just thought I’d pass this link on: ~~http://www.assistiveware.com/videos.php~~ (short write-up here — thanks to Roger Johansson for the link.) Update: The original link is now broken, but http://www.assistiveware.com still hosts great videos. These are video profiles of people with mild to severe
e-learning
Update: A few months after writing this journal entry, I developed SCORM class files for ActionScript 2 and ActionScript 3 (both require ExternalInterface). Check them out here. For the last week, I’ve been doggedly attempting to create a hybrid of Flash-to-JavaScript communication techniques for creating cross-browser SCORM-conformant courses that
Tools
You might be looking at the title of this entry and say “Well, DUH! JavaScript’s prompt() is already cross-browser!” While working on a project earlier today, I discovered a nasty little problem… Internet Explorer v7 (IE7) disables prompt() by default! This means you can’t rely on prompt() being
CSS
Once again, a journal entry is borne from frustration. I write these journal entries using WordPress, which is a very easy-to-use blogging solution. Since I sometimes write about code, I decided to install the Code Markup WordPress plugin. It works very well, and I am enjoying it a great deal
Tutorials
Note: This post contains old code. Read about the updated code at https://pipwerks.com/2009/02/01/obfuscating-email-addresses-revisited/ Everyone knows the story: an innocent email address is posted online and a big bad spambot finds it, relaying it to every spammer on the face of the earth… the email