[Xerte] Re: New to Xerte - Online toolkits vs Xerte 3.0

[Julian Tenney]

Xerte 3.0 is a Flex compiler, using the Flex SDK. It's a developer focused tool. Users will create Flash applications from the ground up, with a rich set of components, can extend it with their own components easily and will be coders, possibly with a grasp of OOP. It aims to make it easier to get into Flex development for coders without the more hardcode OOP skills, and will probably act as a gateway for some developers between other tools and IDEs like FlashDevelop or FlashBuilder. The code is ActionScript 3.0, so skills have a lot of currency: developers familiar with Flash / AS3 Flex can pick it up right away. There are a ton of resources already out there to help, and the code you write can be edited / compiled in other IDEs. Flex 4.5 will be released soon, with options for mobile application development for Android and iOS, so Xerte 3.0 will be able to create iPhone apps.

Xerte Online Toolkits is aimed at non-techies, teachers, educators, etc. It doesn't rely on any technical skills. Content is developed by filling in forms and uploading media. A wide range of 'page types' are available with support for all sorts of different interactivity, media, third party services, etc. Developer can extend it's functionality by creating new templates, or by including flash movies in the piece.

The two tools are not compatible, although a toolkits piece could link to and open a window containing xerte 3.0 flash movie, with, say, a 3D model in it, so the two can work together to an extent.

Does that help?

-----Original Message-----
From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Lynch M (LCSS)
Sent: 07 April 2011 11:58
To: Xerte discussion list
Subject: [Xerte] New to Xerte - Online toolkits vs Xerte 3.0

We're dipping our toe in the Xerte pool..

I intend to run a pilot in our University of Xerte and I'd like some advice.
I'd like to get a better understanding of the difference between the Xerte online Toolkit and Xerte 3 and typical usage scenarios around each tool.

I'm looking for a tool to provide all academic staff with a way of creating learning objects and deploying them in learning material (Blackboard, powerpoint, whatever)
I've arranged for an install of Xerte online toolkit and I imagine this is how most of our academic staff would go about creating learning objects. What can Xerte 3 do that online can't (and vice versa) and do they work together and if so how?

Thanks


Martin Lynch
Team leader Multimedia Services
University of Glamorgan
01443 483764
mlynch at glam.ac.uk



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