• 09/28/2008 - My Lovely Wife Lou is Pregnant
• 12/14/2007 - ArtistServer News and a new site: FreeMusicLicensing.com
• 09/18/2007 - AritstServer and ToneThis Serve Up Indie Ringtones
• 09/11/2007 - Running LightTPD and PHP on Windows
• 09/06/2007 - Compete.com -vs- Alexa.com - Comparing Website Rank
• 08/29/2007 - HostMySite.com Limits ColdFusion, Does Not Tell Customers
• 08/14/2007 - New Song: Chocolate Rain - Sonic Remix
• 08/03/2007 - If You Use Open Source, Leave the License and Credit
• 07/31/2007 - Add Links to Profiles on MySpace, Facebook, and More
• 07/23/2007 - SocialNetwork.in API Promotes Cross Site Networking

Every few months, I revist my notes and ideas about the next generation of ArtistServer and try to shape it more. I usually do this by sketching out the interface in a graphics program like Adobe Fireworks. A great site is one with the right combination of: form, function, and content. While I'm sure there are people that don't like how ArtistServer looks or works, I can tell you that many people have emailed and messaged me stating they felt ArtistServer has a great interface.

But - the Web is changing, becoming more interactive, dynamic, and intuitive. It's a media and data rich environment which is evolving and empowering people.

How will this apply to ArtistServer?

The answer is to evolve with the Web and to explore and experiment with new ideas and technologies. ArtistServer is a natural fit for what people call RIA's - which stand for "Rich Internet Applications," and below, you'll find my first steps in experimenting with a recently launched technology called "Flex 2" by Adobe. Flex allows you to create a very rich application-like experience which renders as Flash. One of the cool things about Flex, is that it can talk to ColdFusion, which is the technology ArtistServer is built on.

Instead of spending time playing with the Beta for months, I selected to sketch out a possible design, and would wait for it's release. Flex 2 was released just last week (June 28 2006). This first screen you see is only a graphic I designed - no coding.



Here is a link to a larger version.

This second image is what I've created so far using Adobe Flex Builder. Right now this is only an interface - there's no interactivity nor do the buttons do anything. I'll need to work through a few tutorials before I dive in to the real coding.



Here is a link to a larger version.

Feel free to post feedback, comments, or ideas.

I'm sure a few people won't like this because it's Flash. I'm definately one of those who don't like Flash... but... I have to say, I'm really enjoying how Flex Applications function - it's like a cross-platform desktop applicaiton in the browser.

Keep in mind these are only sketches - these are NOT screenshots of a new 'beta' version of the site.

After several weeks of planning, developing and testing, the new My Account area for members and artists at ArtistServer.com has been launched!

If you are a member or artist on ArtistServer.com, please stop by and take a look - you'll not only find the new My Account area easier to use, it's much more attractive and functional. Here's a listing of the main updates:

• Completely new layout and color scheme
• Default Account Selector: For users with multi-artist accounts, allows the user to interact with the site since you can only be one person, thus, one artist at a time. This option is controlled in the "Account Info" tool.
• Music Stats - Each song now has a subtotal of listens
• Listening History: Displays the last 50 songs you listened to.
• Friend Requests:
  Setting - new requests can be set to pre-approve or not.
  New - listing of new friend requests for your approval, if your setting is set to not pre-approve
  Pending - listing of requests you've made to other artists and members
  Denied - listing of requests you've made that have been denied
• Site Designer: WYSIWYG Editor
• Logo/Avatar/Icon: Default blank images and cool shadow added
• Web Pages: WYSIWYG Editor
• News/Articles: WYSIWYG Editor
• Music Listing: new layout
• Link Generator: no page reloads, all in realtime now
• Blog:
  Add/Edit - WYSIWYG Editor
  List - New layout
• My Account Site Map: Listing of all tools organized in a site map layout.

In addition to all these items, every tool/page has it's own 'help,' allowing you to view the help system within the My Account area without poping out a new window. Once you are done with a tool's help, click on the "X" to close/hide it.

We will have to wait and see how new users take to it, but I have a feeling that the new My Account area will allow more members and artists to get 'into' their sites because of it's ease of use.

Certainly I'm biased, but at least for me, the new My Account area is more motivating. I find the interface more comforting, and predictable - which allows me to move around faster, and without having to think too much. It's not about dumbing the user interface down though - it's about a streamlined layout, it's about color and it's about consistency.

Some initial quotes by users after trying out the new My Account area:

• Planet Bliss - "It's working well Gideon. The best account area I have used for an OMD"
• Brainbelly - "Excedingly nice layout and function! Contextual help is a plus."

Ideally, I'd have some screenshots here for you, but there's just too much going on today. I'm backing up data, going over lists, and getting ready for the server and system migration tonight. ArtistServer.com currently runs on a single overloaded server, and will grow initially to (2) servers in the next 24/48hrs.

Before closing out, I wanted to include that the Google Adsense integration should happen next week. I need to complete the server/system migration first, then I can work out the details on how Ad integration will work - there will be a few policies in place to help keep the site clean of people join the site just to display ads, while not contributing any content. More news on this next week.