In the specification for HTML5 several methods for storing data locally are outlined including localStorage and manifests. While building out the offline storage for Animatic Builder, I attempted to keep the stored data dead simple; as in the case of the shot information which is stored as one long JSON string. In this way the shot data can be pulled into any other use by reading the string. Keeping the images stored proved more difficult due to the number, potentially hundreds, and their format as many separate files. As well as making sure the storage is universal on mobile and full client systems. « Read the rest of this entry
For the most part people tend to use a mix of JavaScript and Flash to construct visual site effects CSS and HTML can’t provide alone. However, with the advent of JavaScript libraries allowing easy access to JS based effects, the playing field has tipped to using one method or another. JS libraries are not without detractors; for example, “Why JavaScript libraries stink” points out that “1. Most libraries are bloated. The user may load a full library for effect, but in many cases the effect could be achieved in a few lines of code.” A valid point and I’ll leave the libraries debate open for now but remember that the Flash browser plug-in is not a built in component of any browser and cannot be customized to load only what is needed. All major browsers support JS natively and in recent months there has been a push to claim the JavaScript speed crown. Another reason to consider using only JS? The emerging mobile phone market. Even my now discontinued SGH-A717 runs JS.
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Whitney Krape
