Boston Flex Application Incubator Group

Being a Learner-Presenter

BFAIG's main focus is on helping new programmers to create example Flex applications. We encourage budding programmers to come up with an idea for an example application, then develop it with the help of the group. We refer to this process as being a learner-presenter.

A Rough Outline Of The Process

This section offers a rough outline of how the incubator process can work, with several caveats:

• We assume that individual presenters will vary their approach as appropriate.
• The outline below assumes that you'll work with BFAIG from the beginning of your project to its end, but we don't really assume that. You are welcome to participate and to get help at any point in the Flex application development process.
• The outline below assumes the use of the "big design up front" approach to application design and implementation, but we don't really assume that. In some cases it may be better to use a more agile iterative approach in which you define and implement a small set of functionality then, once that is working, define and implement another set, etc.

That said, here's one possible approach:

• Write up a functional specification that describes the purpose of your application, defines its target market, and gives a general overview of what it will do and how it will be experienced by its users. Don't go into many technical details at this point. Focus on the user experience. Simple sketches or wireframes showing screen layouts are appropriate, but don't try to define all the details.
• Post your spec to the group blog, present it to the group, and get feedback.
• Revise the spec. Flesh out the user interface. Present it again and get more feedback. Start to discuss technical architecture.
• Write up a technical spec. We won't attempt to outline that process here, but hopefully we'll be assembling a list of resources that can help to guide you.
• Post the technical spec, present it to the group, and get feedback.
• Start writing the code for your project.
• Continue presenting to the group and getting help as your programming progresses. At this point you'll be up to your neck in the Flex framework. There's a lot that you need to learn, and many opportunities to get stuck. We hope to help.
• As the process progresses, post working versions of your application for other members to play with and test.

How To Start

First, let us know that you're considering participating by contacting us here. The group coordinator will get in touch with you and talk to you about your goals, the process, etc. If you decide that you'd like to move forward we'll set you up with blogging privileges and give you continued advice and support as you proceed.

Posting To The Blog

We encourage you to prepare for your presentations by creating a document or documents that will allow prospective attendees to understand what you are trying to do and what kind of input you need, and posting it to our blog.

Examples: If you want general feedback on an idea for an application, post a rough draft of your functional spec. If you can't get some code to work, post the code.

We encourage this for two reasons:

• This will allow other members to think about your questions and/or issues before the meeting, formulate their thoughts, and maybe even (if they're feeling especially intrigued or generous) do a bit of research. In short, we'll be more likely to be able to help you.
• Writing specifications is an important part of the application development process. It will help you to formulate and clarify your thoughts, and to communicate them to others.

If you don't feel comfortable with some part of this process, no worries! The group can help with this too. Simply present to the group and say, "I'd like some help with writing a spec", etc. We're here to help.