From: Rich <rich@...>
Date: 2002-11-09T09:51:07+09:00
Subject: Re: FreeRIDE and FUI ?? (was: Re: Thoughts on Ruby lack of IDE)

> >
> > How would FUI (Flash User Interface) fit into this?
> >
>
> Build a set of plugins that enable the flash delivery (via an HTTP
> FreeRIDE plugin utilizing something like WEBrick) and an XML socket
> plugin that backends your FUI system.  The abstraction created in the
> components of FreeRIDE are enabled by a renderer.  The renderer (which
> may or may not be graphical) merely accepts a series of calls on behalf
> of components (Editpanes, menupanes, etc).  Taking the Fox renderer as a
> model (and if you have comprable FUI components) you just reimplement
> the functionality.
>

You lost me in  the explanation. I think what you're saying is that you drag
a component on to the FreeRIDE stage, and you can communicate with the Flash
API through the component?

> >
> > How can a GUI IDE like what FUI is planning be connected to FreeRIDE?
> >
>
> FreeRIDE is, itself, a GUI IDE...that is...we have GUI renderers for all
> the abstract components we are creating.

So if I wanted to place a 'widget' (button, text box, drop down menu) inside
my applications GUI window, I would just need to drag it onto the stage?
Then when I publish my App, it is linked to the GUI I designed?

> If you are developing Flash
> widgets that enable IDE-like behaviors (i.e. syntax highliting editors,
> menus, debuggers) they are enabled by other FreeRIDE plugins that
> provide general (non-GUI specific) behaviors.  We are working on these
> components, and others are welcome.
>

Maybe I misspoke. I'm thinking along the lines of a wysiwyg GUI editor...
Like VB's...

I'll try to get the current prototype to you, and maybe that'll help explain
what I'm thinking of.

> Its funny you bring this up because I mentioned a Flash UI on top of
> FreeRIDE in my presentation at RubyConf last weekend (everyone
> laughed...but we shall see who gets the last laugh ;-)
>

I've found that everyone who laughs at Flash - has no clue what Flash can
do. :-)

Imagine the potention for a web based IDE - that looks EXACTLY the same as
the distributed standalone non-web based IDE...

... or a multiuser web based IDE, where you can 'see' all of the other
developers manipulate code...

I think the consistent look and feel that Flash provides is one of the
strongest features (plus the fact that a very large company is already
strongly backing it ;-) ).

-Rich