Web Applications Blog

We had a great chat last Thursday. Thanks to everyone who joined us. Here is the transcript. Don't forget to join us again this Thursday when we talk about the Widget World Cup and promoting your widget.

OperaWebApps: Hi everyone. Welcome to today's Web chat. Feel free to start posting questions to /msg pony !ask and your question.

Question from shadow: Can I use opera animation library in my website?
OperaWebApps: You are free to use the animation libraries on your own site, however be advised that the JavaScript may not work in IE as our libraries are built to adhere with the standards. The specific problem is that you cannot extend the HTMLElement.prototype in IE.

Question from grafio: I'm not familiar with IRC, does it work?
OperaWebApps: Yes it's working. We're just taking time to answer the questions thoroughly.

Question from shadow: Does the license allow me to include the animation library in anyother free library or let's say even my own library?
OperaWebApps: You are free to use the library for any commercial or personal purpose. It's currently licensed under the BSD license. All you need to do is keep Opera's copyright in the file and note that you cannot use Opera's name as endorsement for your product or service.

Question from grafio: what's in the extension library? It's not documented (or am I wrong?)
OperaWebApps: The extension library is a collection of shorthand methods for often-used functionality or effects. In the current download of the library, there should be JSDoc documentation.

p01_chat: Hello everyone. For your pleasure, the demos of the animation library are now available on: http://my.opera.com/community/dev/widgets/animation/demos/

Question from shadow: Question about the T-shirts, if i edit and upload one of my widgets due i still get a t-shirt?or does it have to be a totally new widget?
OperaWebApps: As long as your widget conforms to the style guide, we will give you a t-shirt. That's for this week. We're going to have another competition next week for the best use of the animation library.

OperaWebApps: Remember to post questions to our moderator using /msg pony !ask (your question)

OperaWebApps: Also, we'll answer any questions you might have about animation in JavaScript generally. We won't limit you to discussing the libraries we've posted.

Question from grafio: How about questions about other libraries? Can you reveal a (tiny) bit of the secret what's coming next?
OperaWebApps: We're working on some very nifty libraries - this is the tip of the iceberg. We have more than 10 more coming up.

Question from shadow: Is there one which will enable automatic widget updates?
OperaWebApps: We cannot comment on the exact contents of all the libraries, but we do take this feedback seriously. We're developers too, of course, and recognize the value of that feature.

Question from wrtlprnft: I have a question about how to use this library (and the ones to come up): Can I use them on web pages, or do I have to limit my use of it to widgets?
OperaWebApps: We cannot comment on the specific license for all the libraries, but some of them will be available under the same terms as the animation library. As we noted to Shadow, the animation library can be used for commercial and personal use both on Web sites and in widgets.

OperaWebApps: Here are two widgets that showcase some of the possibilities of the animation libraries: http://widgets.opera.com/author/gautam_chandna/

Question from shadow: Is there any chance the widgettab will return?in let's say opera 9.5?
OperaWebApps: Sorry, we cannot comment on future functionality in the browser. While many users liked the separate tab, there are certain accessibility and usability issues that need to be overcome.

OperaWebApps: One of our graphics guys just popped into our office to ask about the skill level needed to use these animation libraries. It's important to know that the tutorial is for developers with some previous JavaScript experience, but they don't have to be experts.

Question from grafio: Yeah why it's so slow?
p01_chat: The library is pretty fast, you must be talking about the chat session

OperaWebApps: Also good to note - the library is made to work on mobile devices too.
OperaWebApps: And grafio, we're just waiting on questions.

Question from STROBr: Are you planning more advanced animation - what aobut 3D?
OperaWebApps: If there is a huge demand for such libraries, we will definitely consider them. For now, we can tease you with Opera's 3D canvas functionality: http://my.opera.com/WebApplications/blog/show.dml/261474

p01_chat: The demos of the animation library are now available on: http://my.opera.com/community/dev/widgets/animation/demos/

OperaWebApps: If there are no additional questions, we will cut this chat short. The transcript will be available online at the Web Applications blog.

Question from grafio: How about a GUI library? Did you ever consider it or maybe it doesn't make sense in your opinion
OperaWebApps: In some of the libraries we are releasing there are elements for creating rich graphics and user interfaces.

Question from grafio: Do you want to release all the libraries together or separately?
OperaWebApps: We have just released the first library and will be rolling the other ones out when they are ready. We want to make sure we have good examples and proper documentation in place before sharing them with the wider world.

OperaWebApps: Alright everyone. Thanks for joining us today. We will post this transcript on the Web Apps team blog. Speak to you all soon.