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gridNavigation – An Out of the Box Solution for Grid Based Interfaces

December 8, 2023 By 901am Leave a Comment

Grid-type interfaces are almost an omnipresent navigation tool in most websites nowadays. It provides a clean and structured layout to effectively present visual data to the user. Unfortunately, its inherent structure is also one of grid’s pitfalls. As a consequence of the way data is laid out on a grid, there is this unwanted feeling of rigidness, inflexibility, and at certain extremes makes it feel boring.

Aware of the weakness of the grid, web designers have over the years tried to revitalize it. One of the more effective approaches to do this was usually through animation of grid-type interfaces through the use of flash. This works out fine for some who can easily adapt to the nuances of motion design. But to the many designers who don’t have the time to study and learn flash while keeping their heads above water, handling several projects and delivering deadlines – this is definitely not an option.

The lack of options has brought me to try several flash components to ease the pain of creating a professional looking animated grid interface. This is when I was able to try gridNavigation. It’s simply an easy-to-use and robust grid interface you can install and use as a flash component. gridNavigation displays thumbnails in a grid or pyramid like layout while allowing you to specify the exact number of rows and colums (for grid) or the position of the layout (for pyramid). Here are some of the main features of the gridNavigation component:

  • Display thumbnails of images, SWFs or movie clips in a grid or pyramid like layout
  • Built-in blur effect for smooth transitions from low res to high res content
  • Layout options: top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right
  • Number of columns and rows can be manually or automatically set when using the grid layout
  • Content, menu items and settings may be defined through XML, Component Inspector or ActionScript
  • Automatically resizes thumbnails and content to desired size
  • Option to use the same or different files for thumbnails and large content
  • Customizable zoom and easing speeds
  • Built-in skinnable preloader for thumbnails and main content
  • Supports all Flash image formats
  • ActionScript events for: onOpen, onOpenComplete, onClose, onCloseComplete
  • Comprehensive ActionScript API
  • Light weight: AS2=20Kb, AS3=32kb

Despite it being a purely grid-type interface, it allows a fairly impressive degree of customization. You can change the easing and zooming speed of the animation, specify thumbnails, external SWFs or movie clips as both thumbnail or full sized view. You can add images, SWFs or movie clips through the component inspector, or by XML or ActionScript for more dynamic data.

gridNavigation is perfect for those planning to create a photo gallery, video gallery or even as a cool interface to navigate through a whole site. With gridNavigation allowing you to create highly customizable and professional looking grid interfaces – this is definitely a must for a web designer’s arsenal of tricks.

gridNavigation costs $44.95 for the ActionScript 2 or ActionScript 3 versions, or $54.95 for AS2+AS3, with an option for a $10 upgrade from the AS2 to the AS3 edition.

Disclosure: The above article is a sponsored review published upon request by Flashloaded

Originally posted on January 13, 2008 @ 5:26 pm

Filed Under: Reviews, Software Tagged With: flash, Reviews, Software

Symantec launches emoticon look-alike photo challenge

November 20, 2023 By Rhiza Sanchez

On to the lighter side of things, here’s a fun and unique photo challenge that anyone from around the world can take part of.

Symantec, a global leader in infrastructure and security software, launches Norton 360 Emoticon Look-Alike Competition, giving everyone a chance to bag the grand prize worth $10,000, and 5 consolation prizes worth $1,000 each.

Contest mechanics is simple. Just snap a picture of your best expression of an emoticon, be it yourself or someone else, and then upload the photos to Symantec’s contest page.

This photo challenge, that runs from today until September 30, hopes to document the feelings and expressions of Internet users from around the web and to boost up their latest security solution product, the Norton 360. Everyone who joins gets free coupon which entitles them to 15% off Norton 360 or 15% off Norton Save and Restore.

Know more about this photo contest here.

Originally posted on August 17, 2007 @ 5:59 am

Filed Under: Software, Web

Survey: almost half of PC users don’t defrag

November 20, 2023 By Leo Blanco

defrag.jpgMore than 42% of PC users neglect to defragment their computers, according to a survey conducted by online opinion polling and market research service provider Vizu Corporation.

Moreover, Nearly 16% of those who answered the poll said they had “no idea” what disk defragmentation is, while more than 26% said they never defrag their machines.

Defragmentation reorganizes the file fragments on a hard disk into contiguous clusters that help speed response time. Tests have shown that activities such as word processing, email searches, Web surfing, and anti-virus and spyware scans can take almost 15 times longer on hard drives that have not been defragged than on those that have.

Make it a habit to defrag your personal computer every single day, so you will don’t have to suffer its dire consequences. It usually takes less than 30 minutes per day. For those who have no idea about this, read the Elder Greek for a simple tutorial on Disk Defragmenter Utility.

Originally posted on August 16, 2007 @ 11:44 pm

Filed Under: Software

New filtering software blocks MySpace, Facebook

November 17, 2023 By Nino Marchetti

myspace-blocker.jpgSolid Oak Software, a company which provides Internet filtering products for parents and others, announced today a new program designed to block access to select popular social networking sites. CyberSitter Social Networking Blocker is available now for free personal usage.

CyberSitter Social Networking Blocker, said Solid Oak, is designed to block unauthorized access to MySpace and FaceBook. It also blocks access to several hundred known Web proxies that can be used to bypass filtering programs.

“We have been doing this longer than anyone else out there,” says Brian Milburn, president of Solid Oak Software. “We have the expertise, we know the web sites, and we know the dangers, and we are stepping up and giving away a tool we hope will help keep kids a little safer and help parents sleep a little better.”

Originally posted on July 31, 2007 @ 7:51 pm

Filed Under: Children, Facebook, MySpace, Software

ODP developer Action Engine gets $20M funding

November 17, 2023 By Rhiza Sanchez

Action EngineBellevue-based Action Engine, developer of a software platform utilized for web-enabled mobile devices, raises $20M to fund its continuing projects and development.

As an acknowledged leader in On-Device Portal technology, Action Engine is known for its ODP platform that enables mobile advertising, and other management capabilities that aims at increasing profitability and elevating client’s brand. Among Action Engine’s existing clients include media companies and online networks who are expanding their mobile marketing strategies such as MSNBC.com, TiVo, SmartTV, Globe Telecom, SingTel, Verizon Wireless, and more.

AE has raised over $65 million in total VC funding since 2000.

Originally posted on July 30, 2007 @ 12:35 pm

Filed Under: Mobile, Software

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