Flashblocks Flash CMS Component
(Flash Content Management System)

I've followed the instructions as per the documentation but am having some problems getting the thing to work either in my existing flash file or in the blank one I created to test.

Please explain this code to me.

if (_root._url.substring(0, _root._url.indexOf(":")) == "file") {
_root.flashblocks.config.flashblocks_path = "http://localhost/yourWebsiteFolder/";
}
_root.flashblocks.loadData("flashblocks/dataFile.txt");

Am I supposed to put http://www.mysiteurl.com in the second line in place of the http://localhost/yourWebsiteFolder?

What about the third line - there is no dataFile.txt in what I downloaded. Is that supposed to be the file that's called blank_text.txt

By the way, what is the deal with blank_text.txt_bac never heard of that extension before. Can someone explain.

I have to say that the documentation for helping one get started is a little weak.

You must upload your site to a PHP enabled server in order for Flashblocks to work. The lines you are wondering about are only needed if you are testing on your local PHP enabled computer and inside of Flash.

The answer to your questions are in the readMe.htm file that comes with Flashblocks. I will paste the text here.

"Line 1 checks to see if you are playing the movie from your local machine.

Line 2 If you are then it will set flashblocks.config.flashblocks_path to your localhost testing URL. Note you can also change the variable to "none" if you would like flashblocks to display the websites data without PHP. In "none" mode, you can not login and some modules will be disabled.

Line 5 loadData("your data file") starts everything rolling. You can change the txt file to anything that you like but make sure that this data file has write permissions set so that saving works. loadData() must be called once in order to enter edit mode. Do not call loadData() more then once."

blank_text.txt_bac is simply a backup of the previously saved file.

I've tried to follow these instructions to the letter but it's not working. Here's what I know:

my server is running PHP

my permissions are set to write ( for all 3 user group and world ) is that correct or should it just be user?

the code is pasted on my second frame with the third line as follows

_root.flashblocks.loadData("flashblocks/blank_test.txt");

my blank_test.txt file is in the flashblocks folder (permissions set to write)


the flashblocks logo mc is on the first frame - but I cant see any code in it or applied to it anywhere

I put in a blue block on the second frame with an instance name of blk_1 but i don't see how having an instance name will change anything since I have not pointed to that instance name anywhere in the code.


am i supposed to have a stop command on either of the 2 frames?

i am accessing my site using a mac. is there a proper shortcut for that?

Do you have a link I can try? I will take a look.

Yes, you can see the file at www.johncampbellmusic.ca/test.html

It looks like this file was never uploaded.
http://www.johncampbellmusic.ca/flashblocks.swf

Ok it's uploaded now, but the site is not working still. You may want to review my previous post a little more closely and see if I have done everything else correctly . Still a few unanswere questions in there ie- should there be stop actions on frame 1 and 2. the movie is just loopin those 2 at the moment.

Where you place stop() actions is up to you. If you are new to Flash development maybe you should start with the demo site that comes with Flashblocks basic. it will help to get you up to speed quickly.