flash data integration: Hi there,

I have a design question, which I am hoping will allow me to refine my
product. Currently, I have complete seperation between content and design,
where my flash file receives its data from external XML files. The problem I
have is that the flash and XML files are distributed and people can easily
alter the XML files and change their content. What are some ways to resolve
this?

Should I change the source to a password protected database? The concern I
have with this is that I would somehow have to circulate a small database with
each flash file and it would have to somehow communicate with the main database.

Can I get rid of the external data source completely, and rely on somehow
dynamically changing the content within the flash file when it is published.
Would it be possible to keep the same template, and have an external program
update the textual data contained within?

Any other suggestions?

Daniel

You can load the xml from a String variable.


xml = "<datapackage>"
xml += "<item>"
xml += "<image>IMG_00.jpg</image>"
xml += "<caption>Morning of the wedding</caption>"
xml += "</item>"
xml += "<item>"
xml += "<image>IMG_01.jpg</image>"
xml += "<caption>Second caption.</caption>"
xml += "</item>"
xml += "<item>"
xml += "<image>IMG_02.jpg</image>"
xml += "<caption>Third caption.</caption>"
xml += "</item>"
xml += "</datapackage>"


var xmlWedding:XML = new XML( xml);
No load or onLoad is needed.

You can place the xml string in the same fla.

You can place the xml string in an external as file and include it when you
publish. You can comment and uncomment different includes if you have a
variety of different data sets to publish.

You could place the xml string in external swfs and load them as needed.
Provides added ability to send updates by just sending the "xml" swfs.

The last case is subject to the user discovering that there is only xml
variable(s) in a Flash movie, purchasing Flash and making their own swfs
replacing yours. They would need a decompiler, skill and ambition for sure.



--
Lon Hosford
www.lonhosford.com
May many happy bits flow your way!
[quoted text, click to view]
Hi there,

I have a design question, which I am hoping will allow me to refine my
product. Currently, I have complete seperation between content and design,
where my flash file receives its data from external XML files. The problem
I
have is that the flash and XML files are distributed and people can easily
alter the XML files and change their content. What are some ways to resolve
this?

Should I change the source to a password protected database? The concern I
have with this is that I would somehow have to circulate a small database
with
each flash file and it would have to somehow communicate with the main
database.

Can I get rid of the external data source completely, and rely on somehow
dynamically changing the content within the flash file when it is published.
Would it be possible to keep the same template, and have an external program
update the textual data contained within?

Any other suggestions?

Daniel