Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Andrew Trice, Principal Architect for Flex & AIR at Cynergy Systems. I was completely caught off guard when asked to be a part of this project, and I have to admit that I am honored and excited to be a part of it.
I began my exploration into computing nearly a decade ago, starting with Visual Basic, then C++, then Java, then .NET, etc… This was all great, but I really started to get excited about technology when I was introduced to web development, and the Internet as a distributed applications platform. Things really started to take off when I began using ColdFusion (around version 4.5). I can definitely say that this opened my eyes to what was possible for rapid prototyping and dynamic applications. I worked with AJAX technologies and principles to create some really amazing applications for business analytics and hierarchical data management. I then started mixing Flash and ActionScript with dynamic data feeds… Next thing you know, I was making dynamic charting, complex data visualizations, and non-traditional navigation as components of my web applications. In my eyes, new ground was being broken on the Internet, and new ground is still being broken today.
About two years ago, Macromedia (now Adobe), released Flex 1.5, and my life hasn’t been the same since (in a good way). I currently specialize in application architecture and data modeling, analytics, and visualization as Principal Architect for Flex and AIR at Cynergy Systems. I see the Flex/Flash platform as an ideal development and distribution mechanism for web based applications that deliver the type of experience normally associated with desktop applications. Don’t take this as though I’m anti-AJAX; I’m not. I see AJAX’s strengths and uses, and use it when applicable; however I prefer Flex.
The development world has come around full-circle, with the re-emergence of client-server applications. Although the “game” has changed. Today, we can develop full featured, stateful, rich, and easy to use applications that are delivered through the Internet.
As a consultant, I have had the incredible experience to have my hands on applications development among many industries: geographic mapping, computer network analytics and visualization, industrial design, print media & publications, education, financial performance and analysis, e-commerce, digital media/streaming, the hospitality industry, and federal and local government. I’ve also been able to get my hands on just about every type mainstream application server imaginable.
In this blog, I plan to share these experiences with you. Everything from design and development principles, to code examples, to applications that I think are “cool,” and just about anything else that seems appropriate. Some posts will be very technical, while others may just be commentary on technology and the industry in general.
I sincerely want to thank all of the readers, and hope that you enjoy this blog!