FlexMap replaced with Yahoo! Maps AS3 Communication Kit
March 5th, 2007
I knew I ran the risk of releasing something that would be replaced soon enough. I think less than 24 hours might be a record though.
The Yahoo! team released a set of AS3 API Libraries and they addressed the need for a map solution with the Yahoo! Maps AS3 Communication Kit. One of my blog commentors pointed out that these AS3 libraries would be released today and I responded by my willingness to bet that they wouldn’t release an updated map component for Flex 2. Technically I think we both were right. The communication kit that was released follows the same basic approach of loading a Flash 8 SWF which contains the Yahoo! Flash map component, only it uses a nice ExternalInterface service, not to mention the API is much more complete than what I had whipped up so far.
The great thing about the libraries is that, at least for the moment, they’re distributed as source code. Personally I always like to get the source and its nice to see the trend of releasing source code continue with big companies like Yahoo!
FlexMap, it was fun while it lasted. Am I bummed? No! I’m happy that Yahoo! has released a sweet AS3 library and addressed the need for a Flex 2 map API. Yahoo! continues to provide the Flash community with tools to make interesting web applications.
I’m still happy I followed through with it for a few reasons:
1. You never know when the official solution for something will actually come out. You can either suck it up and just write it or just keep delaying until it finally comes out.
2. It was an interesting problem to address. I like hacking, so coming up with a solution that worked was rewarding.
3. I followed through with something, which isn’t something I’m always good at when it comes to personal projects (ie. projects that don’t pay the rent).
4. I setup a project site on code.google.com (which is a really great service) and actually “released” something which in my mind means packaging something up with some basic documentation and release notes. Usually I just slap my code up as is and say have fun.
I have some other ideas for things that I’d like to work on but maybe this time I’ll try to stick to something that’s a little more unique and has less risk of being defunct after a few hours.
Currently residing in Scituate, MA and working at 
March 6th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Hey Tim,
Thanks for the kind words about the Communication Kit. I saw your posting the other day and wonder how you would react, of course I couldn’t say anything because we planned to launch today at 360Flex.
I’m glad to see you still feel a sense of accomplisment releasing such a full package. I feel the same way to see the Communication Kit finally released and now I have to present it tomorrow at 360Flex.
You too did a nice job on your release, I looked through it. Nice work. We are planning on releasing a localconnection class to our library so the developer has the choice of what communication layer they prefer. It’s almost like the Coke and Pepsi battle for the Flash Development community. Ok, not really. But the thing I like about LocalConnection is it is not dependent on the browser. We hoped to get both in this release but father time wasn’t on our side.
As for Yahoo! and open source, that’s how we do it, and that’s how we plan to keep doing it. We want as many people using our data as possible, so the more methods we can provide the greater chance that the community will embrace our product. So you won’t have to worry about the code being locked down anytime soon.
Soon the Flash Platform group at Yahoo! plan to set up a blog and hopefully we can get suggestions about our library.
Once again, thanks for your kind words, and nice job on your FlexMap work too. If we keep prodding hopefully the powers that be at Yahoo Maps will release a true AS3 solution and both of our solutions will be toast. The development community has the best chance of convincing them to build the AS3 release, supply and demand, the best way to get something.
March 6th, 2007 at 3:05 am
Sorry we released the library right after you presented all your hard work. I, and I’m sure the other members of my team, appreciate any support the community lends to things that Yahoo! releases (or doesn’t release
).
March 6th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Well, good sir, it was fun and exciting while it lasted. When people like you do projects like FlexMap it makes me feel very good about the whole community.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Shame you didn’t get to enjoy the glory for long. My experience is that it’s important to see a personal project through to the end. If you do it at least once you will find you start to get into it. This is an important step in being someone who gets stuff done rather than just talking about it.
April 14th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
That’s the right attitude, man. It’s all a learning process after all and, hey, as long as you enjoy the ride, it’s all good!
April 25th, 2007 at 5:28 am
But I need Google Maps in Flex, Yahoo Maps isn’t good for me.