Re: FLASH: Flash Quiz Game assistance...

[Wayne Townsend]

>Wayne-

>

>What you are suggesting with the self contained file makes alot of sense.

>And if I contain all the information in one Flash file, I will also be able

>to animate all the questions without a problem. With the self contained

>file, I will be able to incorporate the right and wrong answer screens (2

>generic ones) for useablity with out a problem.

>

>I was trying to figure out if there was a way to have only 5 different

>types of animations used (bringing the question and answer in separately),

>can the flash file call upon a database in order to make the file size

>smaller. I wanted to create this file with the least amount on k as humanly

>possible as well as possibly limiting the amount of production work on my

>end.

>

>thanks-

>

>Suzanne



>can the flash file call upon a database in order to make the file size

smaller.


Assuming you're referring to the questions/answers, yes it can.  But 

that method runs the risk of delays during the quiz due to hiccups 

with the server connection.  (we know this never happens!  ;)  Server 

connect delays are also more noticeable to the user because of when 

they occur during the normal course of the quiz.  If you do a really 

good preloader, (a movie in itself), you can manage to load quite a 

bit without the audience noticing that's what you're doing.  Then the 

quiz will run smoothly even if played more than once, which is 

likely.   Remember also, that in general, server app/data base/cgi 

types love to complicate things to justify their existence - so if 

you can provide a solution while avoiding them, you'll be a lot 

happier.  ;) - while maintaining control of your project.


A good way to proceed would be to build the entire project in flash - 

questions answers, animation, logic, everything.  This will make the 

development/testing process go faster. Then create a good preloader 

for it.  Optimize it all you can, and then test it on the server. 

Then you can decide wether it's worth the hassle and complication to 

separate the questions out into server files, and load them on the 

fly.  I doubt it will be.  From what you've described, Flash-4 can do 

it all by itself.  I would go that route first.


Flash's "load movie" command also has some possibilities here for 

loading a question/animation combination.  Yes, I'm talking about 125 

little flash movies. (not so bad though when you're working from a 

template.)  But, there is a problem with IEmac 4.5 and load movies 

which you'll have to take into consideration.


Have a look at http://www.bingotelevision.com and if there are any 

methods in use there that could be helpful to you, let me know.


/wayne





Wayne Townsend

waynetaccesson [dot] net

Alt:

waynetabsolute [dot] net

AccessOn.Net

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