FW5: MooTools Preview

One of the hardest parts about buying software is not being able to see how it's more popular features work in your own personal workflow. Usually a demo of the software is offered with some-functionality with a 30-day limit to try it out. Within those 30-days you hope to walk away with an understanding of what you're going to be paying for and if it's procedures are manageable for your business.

However, when it comes to purchasing 3rd-party Freeway actions, there are not any demo's. You may get some documentation, but you really need some time to mess around with it. So, this week I'm taking on a product showcase to those people contemplating whether or not they need to buy the MooTools Action Suite ($15). I've taken the liberty to show one of the more popular features of building an "Accordion" style menu.

Essentially what MooTools does is that it uses several open-source javascript library files to create some great effects with no coding on your part for your website. The Action Suite comes with easy to understand documentation as well as a thorough change-log for it's features and new additions. MooTools has some simple demo's found here to give you an idea of what can be done. Although some of the effects from the demo site are not included in the Freeway actions, the important and simple one's are.

In this screen-cast I cover it's most popular feature and that is building an "Accordion" style menu. What this means is that it's a menu system that has hidden content that is "expanded" on the click of a link. It can be used to build a rather clever navigation system and I've used it on several of my own sites. So download the screen-cast and check it out.

A disclaimer for Freeway 5 users:

MooTools currently has issues with "Scriptaculous Actions." A bullet-point for FW5 notes the inclusion of Scriptaculous Actions. Fundamentally, these are incompatible with the Mootools Suite. To have the Suite and these other Actions play nice, you must avoid using an 'effect' (ie 'fade' or 'pulsate') in any of the 'xxx.FX' Actions that ship with FW. Work is being done to make the Suite intgrate seamlessly into FW5 and its new Actions (at the very least alert the user during the design phase).

Files for "MooTools Action Preview"

http://www.mediafire.com/?792mxebydss

Password: apple

Also I may have a new place for my screen-cast video's to be hosted so new links may be available shortly for all screen-casts. There are still some issues I have to work out, but I hope to have them up and streaming as soon as possible.