Adobe AIR formerly code-named Apollo is a new runtime environment (stil in beta stage) which lets developers use their existing web development skills in HTML, AJAX, Flash and Flex to build and deploy rich Internet applications to the desktop. Although the runtime is still in beta stage of testing but there are no shortage of applications based on AIR. They have a damn cool GUI (Graphical User Interface) which makes interaction a pleasant experience. Since they are based on HTML, AJAX, Flash and Flex, they are completely platform independent. That means they will work on any OS (Operating System). You need to have the runtime to run these applications. As a blogger I tried two applications namely, Analytics Reporting Suite – beta 2 & AirPress 0.31. So how good is it? Is it there to stay?
Analytics Reporting Suite – beta 2
Size: 964KB
This small application brings the power of Google Analytics to your desktop. You get to see your analytics report with almost all the features, the web based analytics has to offer.
Features:
- Animated Windows with tab support
- Pretty Fast & Low Bandwidth Consumption (Tested on 64Kbps)
- Easy navigation
- CPU Usage 1-20%
- Peak Memory Usage ~50MB, Virtual Memory Size ~50MB
AirPress 0.31
Size: 1562KB
This application is a writer for your blog. Currently it only supports WordPress & Dotclear. It has got many features that one blogger can ask for. Newer versions will support more blogging platforms and lots of features.
Features:
- Animated Windows
- Offline database for reading & writing posts
- Easy navigation
- Pretty Fast & Low Bandwidth Consumption (Tested on 64Kbps)
- CPU Usage 1-30%
- Peak Memory Usage ~60MB, Virtual Memory Size ~60MB
This version is buggy. It is unable to retrieve posts beyond the more tag and while writing this post, save option disappeared.
Conclusion
Although the AIR applications offers great looks but the memory consumption can make the PC slow if you run multiple applications but that is not a issue if you have 512MB RAM or greater. The applications can also be run on 256MB RAM with ease.
Getting Started with it
- Download & Install the AIR
- Install Analytics Reporting Suite or Airpress
- You are done. For a complete lists of AIR applications, check Adobe AIR applications.
Do tell me how you find this platform. What are the AIR applications you are going to use?
So far i have heard of Adobe AIR , i think its time to give it a try. But i dont think it will run well in my hostel internet connection as the speed is crappy.
@Madhur
I think you should try it. They work pretty fast on my 64Kbps connection. No you can’t expect a client to work faster than that.
[…] | Tech Blog – Adobe AIR Platform – How Good Is It? Although the runtime is still in beta stage of testing but there are no shortage of applications […]
snitter, one of the better twitter desktop client out there, is also based on this technology.
You have some dead links!