ascendtraining.com

- by Jori Curry…

In addition to our hands-on classes, Ascend is now offering Adobe training online by Adobe Authorized instructors. Ascend is dedicated to providing companies a convenient, cost-effective training solution, and the Adobe Online division of Ascend Training offers an affordable and results-driven online solution.

Using Adobe Acrobat Connect, students interact with the instructor online for a user-friendly, interactive experience. Students can ask questions, and interact with both the instructor and the rest of the class. Benefits to Online Training: Live, interactive experience with Adobe Authorized Instructors,Elimination of travel costs, Delivered on a Macintosh or Windows platform.

Upcoming Online Training Dates:

Online: Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Jun 17 – 19
Jul 29 – 31
Sep 30 – Oct 2

Online: Adobe Flash CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Jun 24 – 26
Jul 22 – 24
Sep 16 – 18

Online: Adobe Flash CS4 Level 2, Actionscript 3.0
Aug 26 – 28

Online: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Jun 11 – 12
Aug 20 – 21

Online: Adobe InDesign CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Jun 29 – 30
Sep 21 – 22

Online: Adobe InDesign for Quark Users Level 1
Jul 27 – 28

Online: Premiere Pro CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Sep 9 – 11

Online: Adobe Flex 3 – Developing Rich Client Applications, Beginner to Intermediate
Aug 10 – 12

Online: Adobe Illustrator CS4 Level 1, Beginner to Intermediate
Aug 5 – 6
Nov 9 – 10

May 7th, 2009
Categories: Adobe Authorized Training, Adobe CS4, Training . Author: admin . Comments: No Comments

- by Jori Curry…

Adobe and Facebook have proposed a marriage between Flash and Facebook to give developers a whole new set of tools with the Client Library, a free open source programming language. An announcement that comes after MySpace’s partnership with Microsoft’s Silverlight. Using Actionscript 3.0 Client Library, the new Facebook Connect will integrate the power of Facebook into individual websites using Flash, Flex and AIR. A good example is Red Bull that is engaging customers through Facebook Connect.

Adrian Ludwig of Adobe recently told MacWorld, ”We are seeing that it’s becoming quite easy for traditional developers to start using Flash,” said Ludwig. “That’s quite a change from where it was five to eight years ago when Flash was focused on animation.” 

This marriage is a library that provides Flash developers a much easier process without the Facebook platform. Many developers have built their own libraries using Ruby on Rails that tie into Facebook, but now will have a much easier time plugging into the Facebook platform through Flash. On the Adobe Developer Connection, there are pages dedicated to tutorials and videos to help get developers started.

“Combining social functionality with the Adobe Flash Platform gives the millions of Flash developers the tools to create Web experiences that are truly differentiated,” said Bryant Macy, Director of Platform Product Marketing for Adobe. 

While Facebook Connect is available for the iPhone, we are still unsure if Flash will come to the iPhone anytime soon. One can hope that the recent Adobe Open Screen Project, which is designed to partner with companies to use Flash as the RIA platform is the first step in enabling Flash on the iPhone.

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May 6th, 2009
Categories: Adobe Authorized Training, Adobe CS4, Future Computer Technologies, flash for the iphone . Author: admin . Comments: No Comments

- by Jori Curry

May 2nd, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: 4 Comments

- By Jori Curry

Rumor alert! Premiere users have been thrilled about the return to the Mac. But is there more expected from Adobe? With Flash taking the center stage, the focus from a Photoshop Pixel based world has lately shifted to the world of animation. It seems that Premiere Pro may have a second life and soon become much more relevant.

The Krama blog has posted an anonomyous reply to a user from the official User2User Adobe forum:

They are (Adobe) contemplating support for all mobile phone video formats, and other esoteric formats from whatever still camera you can imagine, but will stop DV, HDV and P2 support. The reason for this thinking is that Avid, Edius, FCP and Vegas are much better in that area and much more stable. Another one is that they intend to compete much more with WMM, since that will enable them to skip making manuals, another significant cost saving. Ultimately, they want to merge Elements and Pro and intend to call it Elephant. This will take some time however, after all the lay offs, so do not expect anything worthwhile before 4Q 2012, this will give you some time to pick a new phone for video editing.

Truth or fiction? Only time will tell, that and Ringling Brothers.

April 30th, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: No Comments

- by Jori Curry

Adobe Flash headed for television!

Flash for Televison

With 98% of all computers having Flash installed on them, it was only a matter of time before Adobe migrated to television. At the recent NAB conference, Adobe announced a new, optimized version of Flash for televisions, set-top boxes,  Blu-Ray players, and other entertainment devices. The goal is for your provider to deliver Flash content without the use of a computer. 

In the 2nd half of 2009, Atlantic Records, The New York Times, Intel, Disney Interactive, Comcast, Netflix and others are thought to be on board to deliver content through Flash TV. 

“Comcast is constantly working to deliver richer user interfaces and services to our customers,” said Labeeb Ismail, Comcast vice president of Technology. “As an active participant of the Open Screen Project, we are working closely with Adobe to integrate the optimized Flash runtime with tru2way technology, enabling a new range of engaging, interactive services to consumers.”Viewers will be able to participate with their television in new ways by switching between television programming and Web content. 

The History of Adobe Flash

Flash began as the brainchild of Jonathan Gay, who was looking for a better way to visualize sketches of houses he was drawing. 

“If you ever think Flash is difficult to use, you should try drawing with a joystick on an Apple II before the concept of undo was invented. That will test your patience.” Jonathan Gay, Creator of Flash.

After a variety of software ventures including gaming and SuperPaint II, Future Splash Animator  was developed and were looking for a buyer and nearly sold to Adobe in 1995. In 1996, Future Splash Animator was sold to Macromedia, and became Macromedia Flash 1.0. Just like Xerox neglected to take advantage of the Apple GUI interface, it seems Flash nearly slipped through Adobes’ fingers.

April 30th, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: 1 Comment

 

A community based resource for all things Photoshop!

- By Jori Curry

Adobe has launched “Adobe Photoshop Marketplace this week to present a comprehensive collection of Photoshop related services, products and communities. The goal is to offer a variety of rescources including learning opportunities, User Groups, plug-ins, or tips.

The goal is to create an online Photoshop community in which users can:

Search for products, offerings, services related to Adobe Photoshop, Share offerings directly from the marketplace and Empower users to rate and review postings.

Photoshop Marketplace is a free offering for the Photoshop community to better connect with offerings that involve Photoshop. Registering on Adobe Photoshop Marketplace creates a profile that helps users promote their offerings that creates links and keywords directing users back to your website.

In my opinion, this is a stellar outreaching by Adobe, to create more communities within the Adobe website. in addition to this Photoshop Marketplace, there is also an Adobe AIR Marketplace. One can only assume that a “Flash Marketplace” is not far behind.

Ascend Training offerings are listed on this marketplace, such as Chicago events, online classes, and hands-on classes.

Questions may be directed to: photoshopmarketplace@adobe.com.

April 26th, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: No Comments

Flash for the iPhone?

- by Jori Curry

When the iPhone originally debuted, Adobe made it clear that Flash for the iPhone was a no brainer, and would happen. Then last March, Apple openly contradicted this, and now it has come to light that Apple and Adobe are potentially collaborating to make Flash on the iPhone a reality. The previous objections have been that Flash is too much of a memory/CPU hog, and Flash Lite isn’t sufficient. While the recent announcement has been that Flash isn’t a reality yet, talks continue, and the long relationship between Adobe and Apple ensure that there is much behind the scenes development going on.

According to GearLive and PhoneMag, the issue hasn’t been battery and CPU issues, but licensing negotiations. Apple has a long tradition of promoting Open Standards, while Flash is a proprietary standard. Apple has confirmed the 2009 World Wide Developer Conference for June 8-12th, and they are notorious for unveiling major announcements at that kind of  platform. Adobe and Apple have had a long relationship dating back to the early ’80’s. Logically, alienating Adobe doesn’t seem like a good business move for Apple.

Other rumors include the upcoming iPhone will have a 3.2 megapixel camera, and sources say that Apple has ordered CMOS image sensor orders for a Flash to be included….(camera flash, not Adobe Flash on THIS rumor). Also, the new iPhone is rumored to be integrated with AT&T U-verse protocol.

Now if we could only cut and paste…

April 7th, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: 2 Comments

- By Jori Curry 

Leave it to Adobe to be the dark horse when it comes to online document creation. Built in Flex,  Buzzword creates stunning documents both online and offline. While Google Docs may be adequate for those creating simple documents, Adobe Buzzword puts an unparalleled emphasis on graphics–and even allows for real-time text wrapping around images. If typography and precisely placed graphics are part of your agenda, Buzzdocs is one to watch.  

Buzzword allows users to collaborate with any number of co-authors and control versions easily. The table creating capabilities are nothing short of spectacular, and the document dashboard allows sorting by author, date, file size, or your role. Anyone can view Adobe buzzdocs without an Acrobat.com account by signing in. Buzzword feels much like it was created by graphic designers, FOR graphic designers. Not only does it bring an elegant interface,  but it’s impressively fast. Microsoft Word files can be imported as Rich Text Format (RTF) and saved out the same way. 

Adobe Buzzword is still in Beta, but for those that need more than Word or Google Docs offers, it’s the one to watch!

March 23rd, 2009
Categories: Future Computer Technologies . Author: admin . Comments: 1 Comment

Have you upgraded to Acrobat 9 yet? Here are the five top reasons to upgrade: 

•  
  • Improved Interface and faster performance
  • Close integration of Flash for better electronic/interactive documents
  • Simplified Forms interface and tools
  • Easy built-in on-line collaboration with co-workers and customers
  • Improved security and redactment features

Acrobat 9 is one of the most impressive upgrades of a single product that we have seen in a long time. Visit Adobe’s Acrobat site to see an impressive demo of the software in action! 

Ascend’s two day Acrobat 9 Adobe Certified workshop will show you how to take advantage of all the new features and put Acrobat 9 to work for you.

A few of the topics that will be covered are: 

• • How to create electronic/interactive documents that improve your corporate images and customer relations
  • How to create and  send forms quickly and easily
  • How to send out forms electronically and collect data automatically
  • How to share doscuments with co-workers and customers online
  • How to set up on-line meetings and workflows
  • How to embed Flash video in PDFs and your Web pages with a simple click of the mouse

March 12th, 2009
Categories: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Authorized Training, Adobe CS4, Training . Author: Gretchen . Comments: No Comments

Adobe Thermo now Flash Catalyst: Flash Catalyst is an application allowing designers using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Fireworks CS4 to create interfaces and automatically write code. Photoshop users will be able to use Flash Catalyst and convert artwork into functional, interactive elements complete with code.  

To help ease the confusion of “Flex versus Flash,” Adobe is branding Flex, Flash, AIR and Flash Catalyst under the Flash Platform umbrella. The goal is to bring together both SWF developers and designers together and allow designers to easily convert artwork created in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign into developer-ready interactive SWF files. Flash Catalyst also fixes some of the unusable code issues in Adobe’s other applications, and although its’ goal is to put it onto the Flash Platform, it essentially generates MXML.  

At MAX 2007, Thermo (now Flash Catalyst) was the most talked about revolution from Adobe, and now we’re moving forward to a full fledged application. Ascend is hosting the Chicago Area Adobe User Group Feb. 16th at 6pm for a demonstration of Flash Catalyst at our Chicago facility. This is a free event.

 Learn more about Flash Catalyst from the Adobe Website.  

February 11th, 2009
Categories: Adobe CS4 . Author: admin . Comments: No Comments