Assignment 2: Project ASP

Finally we manage to finish authoring project assignment 2, we choose to use  Active Server Package (ASP) in our project...There are many steps to follow, and quite challenging for us to develop this webpage, but after learning and exploring new things, we manage to deliver the simple final product..a website that consist of user login,  registration page for user and admin interface...If we were given more time, we wish we could have better and more interactive and user friendly webpage in the future.

 A lot of thanks to Dr Zaida and all colleage. This class is a new experience and I really learn a lot from this class. I hope that the knowledge from this class will be the platform for me to develop better website after this. These are the interfaces of our webpage...

     ---------------------------------------MAIN----------------------------------

----------------------------------ADMIN INTERFACE----------------------------------

------------------------------------USER INTERFACE--------------------------------

Creating login page using PHP

Creating login page in dreamweaver consist of a series of steps. But firstly we need to prepare table in PHP my Admin. Then follow the required steps to attach the table to dreamweaver.

Here are example of the login page that i have created using dreamweaver..

1) Login.php - this is the login page. Visitor will have to log in first before they can view their data. But to log in succesfully visitor must first register their details. They can go to the link 'register' in order to register. The link 'register' will bring them to the registration page in file register.php

2) register.php - Visitor can register their details here. After succesfully register they will have an acces to view their details in file survey.php.

3) Warning.php -However if they failed to register (due to the use of same username) , the warning page will appear, and they will required to register again using different username.

4) survey.php - If visitor succesfully register and logged in, the file survey.php will be executed :)

ASP vs PHP

It's been quite some time since I post my last topic..huhu.. This time I try to post some of the things that should be here a few weeks ago. I regard this as revision and preparation for final exam ;) Well this post will concern on ASP vs PHP.

ASP and PHP are both programming languages that are commonly used to create websites. Unlike the usual static html web pages, ASP and PHP websites are more dynamic and can allow users to interact and exchange information using the website's databases.

ASP is the short term for Active Server Pages, a type of program that works with Microsoft alongside IIS or Internet Information Server. ASP needs a Microsoft Server for the website to work. On the other, PHP or Hypertext Preprocessor, runs using Linux or Unix server. The more updated PHP programs can now run on an NT server.


PHP programs can also run in Windows, Solaris, Unix and Linux while ASP can only work with Window-based platforms. Just recently, ASP can now run on a Linux platform given that there is an ASP-Apache program installed on its server.


If you were a programmer adept with the C++ language, you would probably be more comfortable using PHP than ASP. PHP uses C/C++ as base language and most syntax are similar to each other. Because a big chunk of programmers are still using C++ language, PHP are by far more popular than ASP.


ASP is very much similar to the syntax and interface of Visual Basic programming. This is basically because Visual Basic is basically correlated with Microsoft products and programs. So if you were a programmer, choosing between ASP and PHP would basically depend on which language you are more adept with.


When it comes to costing and expenses, ASP programs needs to run on Windows with IIS installed on the server. You need to purchase both of these components in order for ASP to work. On the other hand, a PHP would only require running on a Linux server, which you can get at no cost.


PHP is very much flexible when it terms of database connectivity. It can connect to several databases of which the most commonly used is the MySQL. Note that MySQL would not cost you a thing to use. But if you were to use ASP, you need to purchase MS-SQL, which is a Microsoft product.


Loading speed is a big factor in maintaining a website. If you are particular about speed, then you need to go with PHP. PHP codes runs much quicker than ASP basically because it runs in its very own memory space while ASP uses an overhead server and is uses a COM based architecture.


In working with PHP, most tools associated with the program are mostly open source software so you need not pay for them. As for ASP, you might need to buy additional tools to work with its programs.


In conclusion, both PHP and ASP have its own advantages and disadvantages. It basically depends on which part of developing a website you are most concerned with. Are you worried about the cost of creating your website? Do you want to use a programming language that you are more familiar with? Do you want a more stable and faster website? Choosing between ASP and PHP basically depends on your own personal preference. It doesn't hurt to confer with other programmers or webmasters and research more information on which programming would best fit the requirements of your website.

Assignment 1 : By group

The first assignment is mainly to develop a learning application by using flash. Previously, we had learn so many steps and technique in flash, now it's time to show whether we can really apply all the lessons to develop a simple standalone application. In this assignment we a required to work in group. What I like most about group work is we can share ideas and if we have problems, we can refer to each other. I was happy with my group members (Norzie, Ashikin and Farhana). I think we can work together professionally in order to complete this task.

This is how the flash file looks alike..(please wait a few seconds for the file to load ;)


I will divide this assignment into several phase. The first phase is planning. In the phase of planning, we carried out discussions together with all group members to determine which topic or subject should be use in our project. And finally we come to a conclusion to choose the primary 4 topic, Moving Around. The reasons that we choose this topic is that we have interest in developing the application for kids in primary school level using flash.

The next phase is structuring the ideas. In this phase we structured the details of each scene that will consist in this flash application. Because of time and distance limit, we cannot meet more often so we decided to divide the task to every group members. Everyone were assigned specific task to be completed, but we were sharing ideas, resources and technical support from each other. We use the medium of internet to work together.

The following phase is to develop the scene. The problem start to arise as we start to develop the application. As for myself, I had difficulties in finding suitable images and background to be used in my flash project. Most background in the internet has a white background that is not appropriate for flash movie. In finding the solutions, I finally learn an adobe Photoshop skills to remove the white background from the images. I relieved that finally the problem is solved.

In developing the lessons, I want it to be interactive, so I apply the technique that we learn in Farm activity class to complete this part. I import the images, convert it to button symbol and put the text and sound for each symbol. I did not have much problems with the technique because it has been practice in class earlier, but I have problems on how to arrange each element to make it look appropriate. So I recall the lessons that I  had learn previously on media design class.Next step after constructing the scene is to test the scene, whether it is working as desired or not. And each time I test the scene I will evaluate what to improve and how to make it look better. If I have problems, I will consult to my group members.

After completing the scenes, we share our work and everyone of us will drop comments on how to make our flash project better in each scene. Then, after satisfied with our work, we combine our work to form the full application. I was quite satisfied with our work so far, but of course there is a lot more to be improve next time.

Here, I want to share the detailed steps on developing the lessons part;

1) Insert new scene

2) Import background picture

3) Create another layer for object. I prefer to work on separated layer to make it more systematic.

4) Import the desired image to stage.( I choose image type of .gif and .png)

5) Import selected sound to library ( i choose the sound format of .wav and .mp3)

6) Convert image to BUTTON symbol

7) Now we can edit the symbol by double-click it. To do this, we need to create a keyframe and on each frame, we can edit the symbol. We can put sound by dragging the sound from the library to the stage.

8) Finally we test the scene to make sure the we get the desired outcome.

Playing around with Text

We had been introduced to three types of text which is static text, input text and dynamic text.

Static Text :

Static text is the standard type of text that you would use in Flash that is created by typing in Flash. Static text is used when you need to add text to the Stage, Buttons or any text that doesn't need to change or load from an external source.

Input Text:

Use input text when you want the user to type into a text field. You can take that text and send it to the ActionScript or a database and have it manipulate something in the SWF file, and more.

Dynamic Text :

Use Dynamic text when you need to load text from the ActionScript, a text file, database, or change the text when the SWF file plays in Flash Player.

In the first exercise I create the simple form, where the user can type their answer as an input text. After the user hit the button 'ENTER' , the screen will display the dynamic text that contain the data that the user key in earlier.

For the second exercise, I have developed a multiple choice question. It consists of buttons that applied the actionscript such as stop and gotoAndPlay to the desired frame. User just hit the button and it will go to the specific response.

Farm Activity

In this week, we learn abot how to use button interactively. In this farm activity we learn on how to convert images to button and apply mouseclick or mouseover effect to it. Firstly, selected image must be convert into symbol (button) and after that we can edit the symbol. We can add keyframe and put the desired effect by dragging it below the column of up, over, down or hit. The outcome could be very interesting and useful in creating learning application especially to kids..

https://sites.google.com/site/millyrezz/authoring-stuffs/farm_activity.swf?attredirects=0

Week 4 Activity

In week 4, there is no class, but we were required to do some tasks regarding on action script. When first reading the notes, I'm quite blank and feel difficult to understand it. However after try it step by step, I'm start getting a brighter picture on how to use the action script.

Basically the most important thing is we should add another layer for action. I always tend to forget to put the new action layer on each scene. Then I always keep that in mind. So this is the result of the first trial using action script 'stop' and 'gotoAndPlay'..




Another task is to create a simple menu navigation that consist of few scene that linked to the main menu. I admit that I need to polish my creativity to produce something more attractive and interactive..huhu..but here are the outcome..