accessibility
There are a great set links for free development tools (validation services, browser toolbars and plugins) posted on the Web Access Centre Blog today: Looking for alternatives to Bobby and WebXact? Try these! Anyone familiar with accessibility should already know about Cynthia Says and a few of the web-based validation
ActionScript
Here’s a simple example of how the SCORM AS3 class can be utilized. (This example uses SCORM 2004 calls.) import pipwerks.SCORM; import flash.external.ExternalInterface; //Declare variables var success:Boolean = false, completion_status:String; //Initialize a new SCORM object! var scorm:SCORM = new SCORM(); //Initialize SCORM connection success
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
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>
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
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
ActionScript
Being the non-programmer that I am, I was recently scouring the WWW in search of good examples and tutorials on using class files in Flash. I have read that class files and object-oriented programming (OOP) are generally considered a ‘best practice’ in the programming world, and wanted a better understanding
Adobe Flash
Macromedia Flash is a great tool for presenting content. XML is a great format for storing content. Unfortunately, getting the two to play together nicely can be trickier than expected. I’ve spent countless hours over the last month reading up on XML and Flash integration, including trying no less
typography
My brother recently sent me a link to a webpage with free font downloads. This tickled my on-again off-again love affair with typography, and triggered me to post a quickie blog about the subject. The more intricate details of typography (kerning, leading, metrics and the like) seem as obscure as
Tips and Tricks
This week I needed to create an XML Schema doc for work. The XSD file would be used to validate XML files I’ll be making for my online courses. Well, being a newbie to XSD files (though not XML), I was making decent but very slow progress when a