Developing AIR Apps in Linux

This post is specifically for those who wish to develop Adobe AIR Applications on Linux.After spending half a day in searching in forums and support for solutions to the problems it was felt that documenting this would definitely help others in this area.

<disclaimer> Linux Distro -Debian based Linux Mint </disclaimer>

Installing the Runtime and SDK

Adobe AIR Runtime for Linux is primarily in Alpha stage and apart from certain select features it will suffice for a beginner programmer who wishes to develop standard apps. The Runtime and the SDK can be found here, with installation procedures being self-explanatory. The notes, Issues and FAQ can be read here.

Choosing an IDE

Although the SDK can be effectively used to develop the AIR apps I felt that use of an IDE would help in other things like, code assist, syntax error highlights and other stuff . I have chosen Aptana IDE for development. It can be downloaded here . The AIR development environment is available as a Plugin for Aptana. For those behind the Firewall the plugins can be obtained here

Once the IDE has been installed and all the plugins enabled it is difficult to deploy and run AIR apps as in Windows.

Make it Work

Following the steps does not a app work, there some minor issues that needs additional hacks and in other cases outright pain to complete.This is encountered only because I chose to use an IDE to develop my applications.

• On Installing the AIR runtime most of the ZIP files in Linux will be associated to the AIR Installer and hence the mime type might change.Changing the File allocation can be moderately difficult . The solution will be found here. http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?forum id=72&catid=677&threadid=1350697&enterthread=y

• Deploying the AIR Application built in the Aptana IDE will not occur as adding the SDK root directory is no enabling Apatana to discover it. { Additionally it can also be that one has to restart Aptana on configuring the SDK root directory . }, the solution can be found here http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview. cfm?forumid=72&catid=677&threadid=1350697&enterthread=y

so to run the developed app it has to be compiled manually from the location of the SDK locations

-Go the bin folder in the SDK installation
-Open in Terminal
-Within the Terminal type the following
./adl -nodebug [ Path to the Application XML in the root of the Application]
ex
satts@01HW126313:~/Desktop/adobeair_linux_sdk_a1_033108/bin$ ./adl -nodebug /opt/lampp/htdocs/aircodex/application.xml


Calorie Busting Endevours : Gulab Tablets

How to make a perfect Gulab-Jamun

History:
Gulab Jamun is the quintessential indian sweet.It is said that Jodhaa messed up in the kitchen in the inaugural luncheon that she prepared for Jalaluddin Akbar, and dropped the peda in the handi and thus was born the gulab jamun.

Okay my history may be mixed up, but who cares I just love this sweet. So after many successful ventures with ready made food I decided to make the damn thing from start. So here is how to do it.

Step 1 ifficult Choices

• Choose among the various Instant Gulab Jamun Mixes.
  • “Buy one,Get one Free- Aachi Gulab Mix”
  • “700 gm Sugar free with 200gm Gulab Jamun Mix- Aaaaaashirwaad Mix” [ Trust me u might need it]
  • “50% Extra Free – MTR Mix”- [ Those guys sure know the amount of wastage that occurs ]

Step 2: Batterizing the Batter

Next step is to prepare the balls that make up the gulab jamun.It is essential to avoid reading any instructions given on the back of the packet or even Tarla Dala’s.Simple method is to pick up the phone and call mom and ask her.

It is essential that the mix must be consistent and semi-solid , not too soft and not too hard. Difficult yes , but that must be done or else you will end with a base like this.

Shapeless,sizeless and generally unruly.

Step 3 :Calorie Reservoir

Next in line is the sugar syrup or the liquid for which people die for in parties and in Office Canteens after shelling out 5 bucks or so.It is absolutely necessary for you to understand that any amount of sugar will dissolve in a bowl of water, I challenge conventional science to prove me wrong.I might have emptied 600gm of sugar for 100gm of Gulab Jamun mix.

So for those who are calorie conscious there is always Total or SugarFree but I doubt the effects of aspartame on human systems after it is boiled for like 15 mins. Thats the amount of time it takes for the sugar syrup to be any consistent.

Step 4 : Frying the Base

The biggest mistake I made was assuming that to fry all I needed was a shallow pan, A deep pan preferably Non Stick is a must [ Trust me cleaning is difficult if it ain't so ]. My futile attempts to fry the balls on the pan turned the balls to tablets, cylinders, oblongoids etc etc.

The guiding principle is that the balls must be fried on a pan which is on a low flame. This is to make it consistently fired both inside and outside.

Step 5 : No Clue

Think the next step is to put the balls in the syrup , because thats where you usually get it in . Logical is it not… { Thank you Mr.Spock for tutoring me }

Finally after 2 hrs of complete mess… I present to you my Gulab Jamuns

Seriously …. Believe Me……..

<image courtesy Rohan Bakshi >