Zeke (as in "geek" with a "Z") is a homebrew Actionscript 3/PHP development framework for all-Flash websites. In simpler terms, it's a Flash front-end to a PHP CMS (Content Management System), and is at the core of this iteration of Obstacle.com - its first action in combat.
The project innocently started as a way to separate code produced for clients from the tools used in the course of the day. Over time, it has grown into a full-fledge production environment that accelerates Flash website development, facilitates content administration, and enhances user experience, while compensating for a few of basic problems that comes with using Flash.
Zeke's backend is a hybrid CMS, relying on both Zikula Drupal (more on that here) and Zend frameworks for the logic tier of the system. Presentation tier is a bifolded Flash and HTML layer, allowing a fallback option for non-Flash users as well as search engines.
But in spite of its apparent technological tilt, Zeke's primary benefit is on the creative end. By taking down technical hurdles, hope is that Zeke will allow to spend less time on redundant and code-heavy tasks, and more time on actual creative work.
Sidestepping Flash's Inherent Flaws
Manageability
Zeke is built on top of a content management system (CMS), so the administrator remains in control of the information: once logged in, items can be added/edited at will, with easy-to-use visual text editor. No knowledge of HTML or Flash required.
Search Engines
This issue is circumvented by actually maintaining two versions of a same website: a Flash version and an HTML version, and insuring easy navigation between the two. Maintaining two websites may sound like an administration nightmare, but it really isn't the case, actual information management being handled in one central place.
Back Button
Historically, using the back button resulted in the user leaving the application, regardless of the time spent on the website or the number of clicks. Now, back button requests are handled the same way a regular HTML site would.
External Connections
Flash has always been considered somewhat of a black box, but Actionscript programmers know better. Hell, we've been at Web 2.0 for nearly a decade already. AMF communication allows Flash to "talk" to any database or framework. Granted, remoting can be daunting for some, so the interactions with the databases and the PHP end of the framework have been streamlined into a simple API if not fully automated
Asset Loading
The streamlining effort also affected assets library and class loading, and in 90% of the cases, downright eliminated through automation
Transition Management
Zeke handles seamless transitioning from one page to another, coordination of data and assets loading, as well as page initialization.
OK, OK... but why Zeke?
"Zeke" is one of my boys' nickname, inspired by Zeke 'Big Z' Topanga from the animated movie "Surf's Up".
