As I was redesigning the interface to my "RefStat" (Reference Statistics Tracking) application, I came across a web page that claimed support for CSS3 in Adobe AIR, so immediately began creating the new interface using Safari 4 as a testing ground for my UI. After almost completing it, it was brought to my attention that this would not be available until version 2 of AIR was released. I am still using v1.5.x. Not awesome.
The good news however, is that there is a public release of AIR 2.0 Beta 2 for download, which gives me hope that the stable release is not too far away. Since I am also waiting on an update to the tooltip library I am using, this wait hopefully won't be too long after I am ready for it.
New features in Adobe AIR 2.0 that I am looking forward to:
Features planned for my redesigned UI (v2):
I might add a graph rendering to display current stats for the day too as I've been asked for it, but it wasn't meant to view reports, only create the data used for them. This seems less important to me than the user interface and code updates though (template/skinning was so users could switch between horizontal and vertical displays depending on their desktop icon arrangements or resolution).
Current mockup (without tooltip) rendered by Safari 4.0.5 for Windows.
![]()
I never claimed to be a UI designer. ;) The handles on the left/right sides are "grip" or handle areas in order to move the application. The resize/change template button is not yet implemented in this template (though all controls would be in the orange group). The notepad is the new feedback button (in place of the "T|" from before), and of course minimize and close. The image shows a hover state, not a mouse-down state. The colors are meant to be similar to our library's "official" color (#621E27 or close variations).
The good news however, is that there is a public release of AIR 2.0 Beta 2 for download, which gives me hope that the stable release is not too far away. Since I am also waiting on an update to the tooltip library I am using, this wait hopefully won't be too long after I am ready for it.
New features in Adobe AIR 2.0 that I am looking forward to:
- UDP packet support (interfacing with some game servers)
- TCP/open socket listening (acts as server)
- ~30% more efficient than AIR 1.x
- WebKit version updated to Safari 4.0.3 equivalent
- (Better?) Printer support
Features planned for my redesigned UI (v2):
- 8+ more buttons? 800x600 or less resolution? No problem anymore! The buttons wrap and the app scales.
- Templates/Skinning support
- No more color coded buttons (in default templates)
- Redone UI in my template won't have the hover bug for tooltips (mouseout from inside AIR app, thinks you're still hovering)...AIR 2.0 might fix this on its own.
- On-the-fly template switching
- Refactored object class
I might add a graph rendering to display current stats for the day too as I've been asked for it, but it wasn't meant to view reports, only create the data used for them. This seems less important to me than the user interface and code updates though (template/skinning was so users could switch between horizontal and vertical displays depending on their desktop icon arrangements or resolution).
Current mockup (without tooltip) rendered by Safari 4.0.5 for Windows.
Reference Statistics Tracker for SSPL v2
I never claimed to be a UI designer. ;) The handles on the left/right sides are "grip" or handle areas in order to move the application. The resize/change template button is not yet implemented in this template (though all controls would be in the orange group). The notepad is the new feedback button (in place of the "T|" from before), and of course minimize and close. The image shows a hover state, not a mouse-down state. The colors are meant to be similar to our library's "official" color (#621E27 or close variations).