Flash 5 XMLSocket Object

Use at your own risk!

Flash5 XMLSocket Object

Click here (~23k) - to download the source (Java & Flash5) example of using the Flash5 XMLSocket object to connect to a Socket Server. You must have the Java Socket Server and the Flash5 XMLSocket running on the same host domain.
- Run the socket server - Flash5SocketServer.class
- Flash5 test Web page - Flash5Socket.html - This test will run the XMLSocket.connect(hostname, port) but will not actually try to connect because the hostname is not in the same host domain. Even if you change the domain to "michael-thomas.com" it will try to connect, however I don't have a server running at that domain. I normally test on my local machine.
- You can also run the projector (Windows .exe or MAC .hqx).
  - Click here (~377k)- download the Windows .exe player.
  - Click here (~687k)- download the MAC .hqx player.
Other Flash5 XMLSockets
- MoockComm - www.moock.org
  - http://www.moock.org/chat/moockComm.zip - download.
  - http://www.tupps.com/flash/faq/xml.html - Also excellent FAQ on Flash XML.
- AquaServer by Brandon Hall
  - http://www.figleaf.com/development/flash5/ - Look for aquaServer download link.
    - www.figleaf.com/development/flash5/aquaserver.zip - download.
  - http://www.webdevindex.org/Detailed/999.html ???
- MultiServer - www.shovemedia.com/multiserver . Server written in Java. XML routing server meant for use with Flash 5 clients.
- FlashNexus
  http://www.flashnexus.com
  Freeware. Source code available.
  Windows based server software built specifically for chat. Well-built freeware with MS Access database functionality and the ability to build custom tags. Allows execution of SQL statements from flash.

MAC & Flash5 XMLSocket

MAC problems with Flash5's XMLSocket object causing a CRASH (IE or Netscape).
- HELP - If anyone has a solution to this problem please email me at thomasma@us.ibm.com .
- If you connect to a socket (or attempt to connect), then close the window/document and then Apple-Q the process the MAC will HANG (sometime shows an error or may freeze - in all cases you must reboot). This is almost solid with IE and intermittent with Netscape. The above link will give you the source so you can test.
- The test above ("Flash5Socket.html") will not hang the MAC if the hostname is "127.0.0.1" because Flash5 will not attempt to connect to a socket outside of the current host domain. Download the files and run it on the local MAC to see the crash.
  - Note: If you change the hostname to michael-thomas.com then it will try to connect. I've had varying results on a MAC: sometimes will hang if you close the document, then Apple-Q the process or shut your MAC down.
- My environment which crashes
  - OS9.1
  - IE 5 w/Flash5 v41
  - Netscape v4.78 w/Flash5 v41
  - Other's that crash
    - OS9.2 G4 IE5.5
    - OS9.1 G4 IE 5 - crashes less frequently.
    - OS9.1 G3 IE 5 - crashes less frequently.
  - Workaround - Some environments crash less if you close process by: Menu, File, Quit.
- Installation steps
  - Download the above .zip file: Flash5Socket.zip . It is the first link on this page.
  - You must have the MRJ SDK (Java SDK) installed. Click here for more information.
  - Create a file that will launch the SocketServer application.
    - Open the folder which contains the files you extracted.
    - Double click on your drive icon.
    - Open the following folders (your versions may be different):
      MRJSDK2.2\Tools\Applications Builder\JBindery
    - Drag the Flash5SocketServer.class file onto the JBindery file.
      - Classname: Flash5SocketServer
      - Options: 8888 <your can leave blank or use any port #>
      - Click on "Save Settings"
      - Type: Flash5SocketServer 8888
      - Click "Save"
      - Click "Run"
      - From now on you may double click the new file that was created and run the SocketServer: Flash5SocketServer 8888
    - Now double click on Flas5Socekt.html
      - Click on "Socket: Open" - This will open the XMLSocket
      - Click on "Send XML" - This will send data to the socket.
Forums on the MAC problem.
- http://groups.google.com/groups?as_q=xml%20socket%20mac&as_ugroup=macromedia.flash&hl=en
Links to Flash support & Forums.
- http://www.macromedia.com/support
- http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/customer_service/
- http://www.macromedia.com/support/email/wishform/?6213=19 - Bug reporting.
- http://www.macromedia.com/support/forums/ - Flash Forums.
- http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/xml_content_type.htm - New XML Object features of Flash Player 5 re-release
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/welcome/ - Check the version of you Flash Player. The version number should show up in the lower right hand corner of the Macromedia Flash movie in the "Macromedia Flash Player" section when it has finished playing. Mouse over the "About" button to see the version number.