Home > Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, ColdFusion, Events, General, Swiz Framework, Websites, Xuland > XULAND: World’s First FLEX 4 Based Social Networking Application?

XULAND: World’s First FLEX 4 Based Social Networking Application?

Truth is, I’m not sure if this is the technically the world’s “first” Flex-based social networking application, but I can say that I haven’t see anything else like it in Flex – so there’s a good chance it is. Nevertheless, hopefully the title was enough to grab some attention ;)

I came up with the idea for Xuland a year ago. At the time I simply wanted to come up with a project that would allow me to dive into the Flex 4 Beta and try out some new frameworks (other than Cairngorm). I chose Swiz for its “brutal simplicity” and I was immediately impressed.

I present this first to the greater Flex community as I’m really interested in feedback at this stage of its development. Does it make sense? Does it load fast?

My biggest concern: determining whether Flash was the right platform for a site like this. Honestly, I don’t see why not. Flex is a great framework. Flash is a great multimedia platform. Add a little social networking features and you could have the makings of something great.

I wasn’t able to attend MAX this year although I did enter Xuland into the 2010 MAX Awards. There were several other amazing sites that Adobe chose over Xuland and I don’t blame them. There truly is some fantastic talent out there and I feel blessed to even be remotely part of this group.

To put it simply, Xuland is a social network centered on location, rather than a friend’s list.

It started off as a way to get to know your neighbors…the people that are most likely *not* on your friend’s list. I’ve always thought Facebook was a great way to re-connect with old friends and family (not “old family”, sorry Mom) but you wouldn’t necessarily meet new people on Facebook. I remember back in the days of MySpace when random strangers would friend each other…some folks had thousands of “friends”. It was always so bizarre to me. I’m not sure if that same trend has crossed over into Facebook since its advent of fan-pages but still sites like these didn’t feel like the appropriate place to establish new friends.

A better opportunity arose through Yelp. Yelp centers itself on geography. You can see reviews of the restaurant down the street which is fantastic but it was difficult to carry on a conversation with past reviewers. Sure there’s message boards, but it would be nice to carry on a real-time conversation with someone in your same town that you did not already have a past relationship with (i.e. “on your friend’s list”).

Xuland eventually morphed into a FLASH-ier alternative to Craigslist, complete with a commenting & rating engine, Google map that pools postings into the comment stream based on location and selected radius, a built-in ad & local event submittal system and there’s even a simple image editor. No, this isn’t your father’s Craigslist.

I’m going to add a lot more, including extending the project to include mobile. What I’ve done so far took a lot of work (spare time with a family, mind you) but I’m happy to keep chugging forward as long as the site finds some real use out there.

What I really hope is to prove that Adobe Flash & Flex can be used for much more than dashboard and charting widgets or for unseen back-office intranet apps.

I had a lot of fun exploring Flex 4′s new skinning architecture, the Swiz inversion-of-control framework, the cloud technology that I’m using to host Xuland and many other bits and pieces of knowledge I had to find to assemble this all together.

I don’t think the site is ready for global public consumption quite yet. There’s a lot of little details I need to iron out but it works for the most part. I invite anyone reading to try it out and let me know what you think!

http://www.xuland.com

The map should geolocate to your general area, but it won’t be exact. If it’s off, drag the map around and set your new default location (you’ll have to login).

You can also (change) the map to anywhere else in the world which is nice. Talk to folks in Munich, or Paris. Change the map zoom, too. As the radius changes, so does the number of viewable comments. The red dot in the middle essentially shows the center of the map around which it pools comments.

Login with your Facebook or other social networking accounts, or create your own Xuland account via the registration form. Try posting a comment, attach an image, or real estate posting. There are many categories similar to what you’d find on any classified ads website. You can also post a local event (I got a little tired of getting invited on Facebook to events that were in other cities!).

I’ll post more on this blog and on Xuland’s own Tumblr blog. It’s getting a little difficult juggling all of this so bear with me if I seem a little slow, otherwise thanks so much for reading and trying out Xuland.

  1. November 4th, 2010 at 06:21 | #1

    This is Social Network for paddle players with 10K registered users, and more than 200 concurrent.
    Is Flex3, it was released in april 2009.

  2. November 4th, 2010 at 07:19 | #2

    Hey

    Nice site. I’m really impressed with the loading time. I notice that none of the framework swfs are being pulled – is this because they’re cached locally on my machine (I’ve played with framework caching before with mixed success), or are you not using the framework?

  3. November 4th, 2010 at 07:49 | #3

    Hi,
    i have a debug player installed and an exception crashed my Firefox, you might want to look into it. It happens during the first load, i didn’t have time to try anything:
    TypeError: Error #1009: Il est impossible d’accéder à la propriété ou à la méthode d’une référence d’objet nul.
    at com.xuland.flex.controller::CommentController/getAllCommentsResult()
    at Function/http://adobe.com/AS3/2006/builtin::apply()
    at org.swizframework.utils.services::SwizResponder/result()
    at mx.rpc::AsyncToken/http://www.adobe.com/2006/flex/mx/internal::applyResult()
    at mx.rpc.events::ResultEvent/http://www.adobe.com/2006/flex/mx/internal::callTokenResponders()
    at mx.rpc::AbstractOperation/http://www.adobe.com/2006/flex/mx/internal::dispatchRpcEvent()
    at mx.rpc::AbstractInvoker/http://www.adobe.com/2006/flex/mx/internal::resultHandler()
    at mx.rpc::Responder/result()
    at mx.rpc::AsyncRequest/acknowledge()
    at NetConnectionMessageResponder/resultHandler()
    at mx.messaging::MessageResponder/result()

    It’s in french but it means u are trying to access the property of a null Object.
    I also got many warnings like:
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.CategoryVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.LocationVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.FileAttachmentVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.AdVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.LocationVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.FileAttachmentVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.AdVO.
    ReferenceError: Error #1056: Impossible de créer la propriété type sur com.xuland.flex.model.vo.CommentResultsVO.

    Good luck on solving that :)
    Fabien

  4. November 4th, 2010 at 07:52 | #4

    It seems like it happens everytime i move the map after, when it tries to get the comment in france i believe

    Fabien

  5. November 4th, 2010 at 11:36 | #5

    Thanks! Yeah, that’s right. The signed Flex 4 framework RSL’s are probably already cached by your Flash Player. I haven’t tested loading Xuland on a “clean” machine devoid of those libraries but I’ll add that to my TODO.

  6. November 5th, 2010 at 04:20 | #6

    I am sorry, it does not make sense at all to build site like that using Flash (Flex SDK).

    You cannot even select a text by right clicking – it is showstopper.

    And yes it is slow – those preloaders are killing me, “loading area postings” indefinite preloader – is really indefinite.

  7. November 5th, 2010 at 15:14 | #7

    @Adobe Flex Tutorial
    I just posted a comment in Paris after logging in through my Facebook account. I didn’t see an error. If you have a minute, can you give me any other details (what area/city, what browser, version of Flash Player). Did you try logging in through another social network, or did you register for Xuland? Thanks and I apologize for the error…

  8. November 5th, 2010 at 15:26 | #8

    @JabbyPanda
    JabbyPanda, I’m constantly striving to improve the speed of Xuland. Is the “loading area postings” spinner slow at the beginning or whenever you move the map or both? I’m curious, what sort of machine are you running on? What browser and flash player version are you using?

    Creating this sort of site in Flash is a lofty goal, but I wanted to prove it could be done. On my systems, Xuland loads very fast but I am pushing to make it faster. I appreciate your comment absolutely…

  9. May 11th, 2011 at 03:18 | #9

    Hi,

    I’m very impressed by your site, I know it’s been a while since the blog post came out – I liked the particularly quick loading time, I am a Flex enthusiast and you mentioned something about the cloud technology where you are hosting this. I’d like to know more about it. Thank you :)

    • May 24th, 2011 at 11:09 | #10

      Thanks! I’ve been worked on Xuland for a long time now. I still have big hopes for it even though it gets very little traffic. By “cloud”, what I was really referring to was the cloud-hosting provider I’m using – RackSpace Cloud. They’re inexpensive and their technology allows me to quickly scale Xuland’s resources up or down depending on need. Much better than provisioning a new virtual or dedicated server ;)

  10. December 25th, 2013 at 01:56 | #11

    An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting a little
    research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this issue here on your web site.

  11. December 28th, 2013 at 20:44 | #12

    Why peοple still use to read news papers when in this technologiccal globe all is accessible
    on net?

  12. April 18th, 2014 at 18:38 | #13

    Ԍгeetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a neeա project in a community in
    the same niche. Youг blog provided us valuable information tօ
    work on. You have done a marvellous job!

  13. April 29th, 2014 at 06:36 | #14

    Hi I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by error, while I was
    browsing on Google for something else, Anyways
    I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blpog (I alkso love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also
    added you RSS feeds, so when I havve time I will be back
    to read muh more, Please do keep up the excellent b.

  14. April 30th, 2014 at 16:39 | #15

    I enjoy what үou guys are usually up too. Such clever work and coverage!

    Keep uр the excellent works gǥuys I’ve incorporated
    you guys too our blogroll.

  15. April 30th, 2014 at 17:57 | #16

    Hi to every one,it’s in fact a nice for me to pay a quick visit this website, it consists of priceless Information.

  16. April 30th, 2014 at 20:46 | #17

    It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people about this
    subject, however, youu sound like you know wha you’re talking about!

    Thanks

  17. May 2nd, 2014 at 11:43 | #18

    The swelling it causes is disfiguring as well as painful and can
    lead to serious infection. Since the average individual isn’t normally complimented in this way
    they tend to think that if they adopt the style of the star they love they will be complimented as well.
    Barely the most difficult item to build, they look like something your tween
    may customise which has a glue firearm, some
    low-cost lycra and a account of Miley Cyrus paparazzi photographs.
    The website is geared towards young girls and teens.
    Where are you going for the date- restaurant, bar, movies, night club,
    café, bowling alley or the amusement park or are you inviting
    him home for dinner or you are going to his place.
    Included is the just in and the sale category, which you should take
    advantage of. HERVE LEGER LILITH NARROW-BANDAGE DRESSA vivid design that has us already
    wishing for warmer weather. Most bloggers write amazing stuff to start with,
    but then as their enthusiasm wanes the quality slides.
    Breast reduction surgery is performed to make a more compact, lighter and perky breast.
    But nowadays it is quite common to find variations of colors and prints.

  18. May 23rd, 2014 at 23:33 | #19

    Avoiding mercury involves multiple steps and changes. It will develop a sense of wellbeing and self
    worth. ‘Heroin abuse on the rise in Butte County, nationwide.
    Fitness and exercise should be on the top of everyone’s list of health improvement strategies.
    The customers can therefore easily compare between different policies and choose the right one
    that fits their typical health care needs. Dietary supplements are therefore, manufactured and
    are used by people who have poor nutritional health and do
    not have good health. The World Cancer Research Fund has declared this chemical as unfit for human consumption due to its high levels of toxicity.
    If your answer to how much water have you drank today is none
    or very little, you should put down that juice or soda and partake in some water.
    Keep your credit good in order to get the best health insurance prices.
    Keeping in mind that the main two killers: stress and diet, are
    both a result of too much acid p – H residue or ‘ash’ in our systems,* check out the following list of the food groups:.

  19. July 12th, 2014 at 01:23 | #20

    Awesome article.

  20. August 4th, 2014 at 23:42 | #21

    Websites enables its user an opportunity for candidates to improve their name recognition, as the
    selection is broken down into categories, such
    as Android and Symbian. They make the system that need to
    tilt the device as of now. In this game your color understanding will be much
    popular among the teenagers as well as Play Tech.

  21. August 6th, 2014 at 01:40 | #22

    8, he’s also a guest blogger talking about how to avoid email scams
    at terryodell. 6 30 days payday loan products are
    usually out there to you for an quantity of half weeks.

    The stunning feature of these loan products is that furnish instant monetary assist at the time of require.

  22. August 6th, 2014 at 05:18 | #23

    You need to be a part of a contest for one of the finest websites on the internet.

    I most certainly will highly recommend this site!

  23. August 18th, 2014 at 16:25 | #24

    Great blog here! Also your web site loads up fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link
    to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  24. August 20th, 2014 at 17:50 | #25

    Dogs bring so much time trying to finish. Positive, supportive and developmentally appropriate activities with handouts are included.
    This can be no refusal or ignoring of your dog and
    ensure the adults must act on all the collars.
    If a dog to the striking Dalmatian and the methods that may be overly protective of
    the most humane equipment to have puppy training a
    lot of care. So I had gone more than 5 to 6 months at two possibilities.

  25. August 20th, 2014 at 23:51 | #26

    If some one wishes expert view regarding blogging after that i advise him/her to pay a quick visit this web site, Keep up the good work.

  26. August 23rd, 2014 at 21:27 | #27

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a
    doubt donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my
    Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about
    this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  27. December 23rd, 2014 at 16:27 | #28

    I was excited to discover this great site. I need to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!!

    I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check
    out new stuff on your site.

  28. April 13th, 2015 at 02:10 | #29

    “) Contact the Prometric Candidate Services Call Center at 800-696-2722 or Prometric. The financial reports may include profit-and-loss statements and expense reports. One important aspect of the business to save money in order to avoid the accumulation of corporate debt.

  29. January 16th, 2016 at 20:17 | #30

    Frank Breinling is a reognized expert in Affiliate Marketing.
    To better understand why these statistics are so alarming onne should be familiar
    with the three categories of fraud; Management Fraud, Employee
    Fraud, and External Fraud. By becoming part off an accounting team, you will have the opportunity to get acquainted wkth how small businesses ooerate and also acquire practical knowledge about administrative
    accounting procedures and federal annd statutory requirements.

  30. June 17th, 2020 at 06:46 | #31

    Of course, what a great site and illuminating posts, I surely will bookmark your website.All the Best!

  31. June 22nd, 2020 at 05:10 | #32

    Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

  32. June 22nd, 2020 at 06:41 | #33

    This very blog is definitely entertaining and besides amusing. I have discovered a bunch of useful things out of it. I ad love to visit it over and over again. Cheers!

  33. July 19th, 2020 at 11:33 | #34

    I think this is a real great blog post.Thanks Again. Will read on

  34. July 22nd, 2020 at 14:12 | #35

    sprinted down the street to one of the button stores

  35. August 17th, 2020 at 10:05 | #36

    You will discover your selected ease and comfort nike surroundings maximum sneakers at this time there. These kinds of informal girls sneakers appear fantastic plus sense more enhanced.

  36. September 27th, 2020 at 14:20 | #37

    It is really a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  37. June 21st, 2021 at 18:45 | #38

    This can be a topic that’s near my heart… Thanks a lot!

    Where are your information though?

  1. No trackbacks yet.