I don't tend to blog about new technologies - my thoughts/feelings - whatever - but I've been working on Infrared5.com and had the opportunity to integrate the new Ribbit services directly into our site. For those who don't know, Ribbit is a 'phone company' that gives you the ability to make calls directly from the web. Not just the web - but directly from the Flash player: no extra downloads - no ActiveX plugins - no Java applets. Think Skype for Flash.
You can see Ribbit in action on our site, at Infrared5.com. But beware! This is a live service - not a gimmick! If you make a call you will be calling our office - so only click that red button if you actually WANT to talk to us.
My favorite part about Ribbit is how insanely easy it was to get setup and running. I used the Flex SDK - which gives you a compiled swc you can add to your project. After that, you just need to paste in a few lines and you are ready to go:
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private var ribbitRequest:RibbitRequest;
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private function doLogin():void {
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ribbitRequest = RibbitRequest.getInstance();
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ribbitRequest.addEventListener(RibbitResponseEvent.LOGGED_IN, handleLoggedIn);
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ribbitRequest.addEventListener(RibbitResponseEvent.ERROR, handleError);
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ribbitRequest.addEventListener(RibbitResponseEvent.RIBBIT_SERVER_CONNECTED, handleRibbitServerConnected);
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ribbitRequest.login('user', 'password', 'devID', 'appID');
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}
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private function handleRibbitServerConnected(event:RibbitResponseEvent):void {
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ribbitRequest.makeCall('555-555-5555');
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}
I was literally up and running in 3 minutes. The Ribbit team has really done an outstanding job. If you haven't signed up for a developers account over at Ribbit - go do it now! Infrared5 also worked with Ribbit on developing the Flash CS3 components which are now out and will make your life even easier - so if your not into Flex - or don't like coding that much - don't worry!
On a different note - there are some other fun changes to the Infrared5 site as well. Be sure to check out the blog section, where you can now draw with the pen:
I'll probably be adding a few more things to make it a little more fun - like throwing the pen and such - but its a good start.
On a THIRD note - there is also an easter egg in the site - that's all I will say about it... If you do find it though be sure and let me know 
Anyways - working for Infrared5 is awesome - I can't imagine working at a better place - or with a better team. I've been swamped lately between a few different projects/contracts/book stuff/personal life - but i'm hoping to get some more blogging in soon - with a few new cool things in PV3D - so stay tuned!
[update]
We appreciate the calls! Really! But if you do call, at least say "hey" instead of just hanging up! Like a said - it is a real phone and a real call - so if you DO really want to call, at least talk to us!
[/update]
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Can you say how you got started with ribbit in step by step process
July 2nd, 2009
Reply to “Infrared5 Site Updates – Ribbit!”