on (release) {
            getURL(clickTAG, "_blank");
}

I have Flash set to publish as AS3.0 by default… and therein lies the problem. I built the banners, dropped in the clients code snippet and all appeared well when testing locally, but… getURL doesn’t exist in ActionScript 3.0.  No errors get thrown so there was nothing to alert me to my mistake until the client tested it and it failed. Denied.

Republish as AS2.0 and all is well again in clickTAG land.

But what if the rest of the movie had required AS3.0? Well here’s how you could do a ‘getURL’ in AS3.0, things aren’t so simple anymore.

var url:String = clickTAG;
var request:URLRequest = new URLRequest(url);
try {
  navigateToURL(request, '_blank');
} catch (e:Error) {
  trace("Error occurred!");
}

Lesson learnt – always check your publish settings!

I recommend viewing this in full screen so you can see the code in action.

Compass on Github

The original Deployment Tool was designed and built by Matt Woodage, but after a server architecture and workflow upgrade within the Honda Web Development Team, the Deployment Tool needed to be upgraded.

I was responsible for a comprehensive upgrade to the Deployment Tool which is a lightweight XHTML and custom JavaScript front-end with a Classic ASP back-end. It uses ZIP archives, complete with directory structures, as packages. These packages are then moved between staging servers and unpacked into the relevant environments. An email notification engine also alerts selected members of the business about key events.

The challenge was to create a consistent layout that would suit all types of content across a multitude of racing disciplines and corporate business areas. The principle content owners would be the Honda British Superbike Team and their race reports would form the bulk of the content. The Honda F4SA Powerboat series would also contribute content.

The site also needed to fulfill corporate requirements for advertising and features content related banner areas.

Take a look

http://www.honda-racing.co.uk

I evaluated several commercially available systems that could be modified to meet their needs and also provided an overview of a bespoke solution that would exactly meet their needs and allow scope for future enhancements.

Even though it would mean no further role for me in the project, my reccomendation was that Bosch build a bespoke candidate evaluation system internally.

The site moved from a heavy all flash infrastructure to a lightweight XHTML and jQuery framework with Flash content where required. The site uses Classic ASP for server side XML manipulation.

Take a look

• http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/

The site features a jQuery animated menu and modal windows powered by lightbox.

Take a look

• http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/2009/

Their primary requirement was that they could manage the website themselves using a content management system and without the need for a web developer. An added challenge was that they needed to be able to create rich content that included photos and video.

The solution I designed, built and implemented on behalf of Brandcast Media uses WordPress as a Content Management System and Vimeo to host video content. Brief training was also given to allow Grappa to quickly utilise their new business tool.

Take a look

• http://www.grappa.co.uk

Their requirements included communicating their activities and driving traffic to online registration of their ‘Carbon Mixer’ product.

The solution I designed, built and implemented on behalf of Brandcast Media uses WordPress as a Content Management System

Take a look

• http://www.hannoverconsultancy.com