Down the FoxHole: Featured Author Aw_Shucks

This week we interviewed site template master Aw_Shucks. Aw_Shucks is a very popular FlashDen author and community member and has been part of FlashDen for a long time. You may know Aw_Shucks through his previous FlashDen accounts, URanimEnigma and AdamB4God. His current portfolio is a high quality and diverse affair, containing a plethora of feature-rich site templates, menus, image galleries, utilities and what seems to be his most recent interest, mp3 players. Want to find out more about the method behind the mayhem? Read on!

1. Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do for a living?

My name is Benjamin Altiery, for those of you who don’t already know. I’m from a town on the outskirts of Chicago called, Joliet in the State of Illinois, USA. Well, its actually a city, not quite a town. For a living… hmm. I work on Web applications via FLASH. I eat, sleep, work out on the remote control for a while and get back to working on FLASH if I’m not sleeping. Basically, I don’t do much but sit in front of my computer and study and practice new ways of developing files as best I can. It’s tough to make a living off Flash Den when you’re files aren’t in tip-top shape. Sure practice makes perfect, but I’m learning that the hard way.

2. How long have you been using Flash and what made you start selling items on FlashDen?

I’ve been using Flash since shortly after Flash Professional 8 came out (I think it was in 2005) during the summer. Flash works my mind in ways that gets me satisfied for using it, so I stick with it. It wasn’t long after I learned how to use onEnterFrame functions that I decided to try and dispense my work on FlashDen. Little did I know, (and I knew little of Flash at the time), that it takes a lot more than generic code to get your files approved. My first file was rejected for small issues with the functionality. Later when I got more into XML I tried again. Lo and behold my file was accepted. Back then I guess it was easier to get away with files that weren’t quite as up to par as DS’s or Dabamol’s, for the sake of comparison examples. I guess that was because “eden”, as envato was known then, was just starting out and was a lot more forgiving for their own reasons. But I improved, and selling on FlashDen, believe it or not, keeps me going.

3. Do you create files from scratch for FlashDen, or do you re-use work that you’ve created for a client?

Most of the time when I design things I start from scratch – an empty canvas and brand new text files. But sometimes, when I need to search for something because of problems with memory (cluttered brain functionality), I look at files I’ve made before for reference. Copying code just to save time was a convenience. I knew the code already, so I don’t think it would have been a problem to have reused some of it in other projects. Things like MovieClipLoader classes and scroller functions… really that’s mostly it. I mostly copied the framework and then built the rest of the functionality as the file grew to completion if I did reuse old code. That’s how my files tend to evolve.

4. Where do you get your inspiration from for your FlashDen work?

When I first started out I would get inspiration from both the spark of well thought out ideas and from other Web masters on other sites. I’m referring to the many, many different Web sites that reflect complexity and simplicity all in one.

5. What is your work flow like when starting a new file? Could you walk us through the steps you take when getting ready to create a new file?

My steps are something to wonder about than to formulate into a clearly thought out and strict process. It all depends on how good my ideas are. Sometimes I find it necessary to build an application around the XML file, so I start with building the XML file. Generally however, I start with the design and a set of functions that I would be interested in bringing to life, so to speak. If I like the functionality I build the design around it. If I like the design, I contemplate a matching set of functions. Lately I’ve taken into account the importance of making the file as user friendly and easy to customize as I can. My techniques are constantly evolving because of the need to keep up with other designer/developers.

I then typically create the symbols and after that, slowly attach each symbol to a function, method, or action with ActionScript. I’ve learned to take it slow and make sure to work out any bugs I can find before uploading to FlashDen. It avoids the problems I experienced when I was pretty much a careless and over eager beginner.

6. What do you do to market and brand your files?

Not much. I wait for the files to do their work, basically. I’ve taken it upon myself to try a new way to set my thumb images apart from other authors though. I’ve made a personal logo which I apply to my file’s thumb images. I don’t know if it works or not for improving sales, but it definitely gives a distinguishable introduction to my files.

7. What advice can you give to authors that might help them increase their overall sales?

I know that I’m not the best at it, but I’d have to say, improve your file’s overall Functionality and Design. “FD”, how apt! Also, make your files customizable. It’s my preference not to make everything that is demanded. Instead, I simply make a file practical. So if a customer keeps demanding to make a good file different just to suit his or her own needs, I would pass on the opportunity to make money so that I could keep a practical file, if I can. I’m actually learning that as I get better.

Above all else: It is important to aim to suit the needs of a buyer by designing a good file that is usable and customizable from the beginning. Good looks help too. (I don’t mean fix your hair before uploading a file either. )

8. Besides yourself, who is your favorite FlashDen author?

I can’t really say I have a favorite. I try to stay away from choosing a favorite when it involves picking a human over another. But I can definitely say what FD authors I look toward when it comes to professionalism. MBMedia has innovative products. Bobocel is a trustworthy advocate with his “suit your needs” files. Micheal hey ya… (I forgot how to spell his name), he always surprises FD with his works. There are others, but I don’t like to keep points about who’s better than who. Anyone can improve enough if they keep their dedication.

9. Which file do you think is your best file so far?

I don’t know. That’s tough. But since you’re so insistent I’ll give a couple examples. My best template would probably have to be my “Be Template“. Others might Disagree though. My best AS3 file would be the only one I’ve ever made. I just finished it today up to what I’ve estimated to be about 99.8% complete. Its an mp3 player with some pretty cool functionality. I’ll be uploading it as soon as I get finished with the help file.

10. What one thing would you like to change about FlashDen if you could?

Everywhere I go on FlashDen there seems to be a complaint. If I could change one thing it would have to be that others would take into consideration that FD, and the rest of envato is still growing, still maturing. It’s getting better. I love the way the staff is so open with the members of their ever better marketplaces. I too need to show more improvement with how I handle things with envato and its members. So, just say thanks once in a while to remind yourselves that the staff are also developing their skills. Also, one more important change would be to bring back the useful ways of withdrawing funds to a PayPal account. Patience is key though. However, there’s only one way I can change that. And that would be to at least bring it to your attention and, like I said, patiently wait in case it does happen. The rest would be up to envato.

11. When you aren’t building Flash files, what do you do for fun?

Well, I’m sure my nose hates my finger by now. But I try to find ways to have fun with what comes out of it.

No, I’m kidding. I don’t like playing video games anymore. When you have schizophrenia the games start to talk back. Freaky stuff. So if I do something other than flash, it might be that I go to friend’s house or to family member’s house to chill. That’s pretty much it.

12. Would you like to give a sneak peek of the latest file you are currently working on to our readers?

It’s my first AS3 file. It functions without any hitches. I’ve successfully created as much garbage collection as I could. Every button has a purpose. The interface has mp3 controls (previous song, play song, stop song, pause song, next song). The buttons on the right all have special abilities. (leaping over tall buildings, faster than speeding bullets, super strength), I’m kidding of course. They all have different item display purposes like: volume display, song title display, album title display, artist display, equalizer display, time/progress display and the last button all the way to the right toggles the player to go to either the right side of the stage or to the left side of the stage. It’s no secret. So it’s cool. I should be uploading it by tomorrow if all goes well.

Thanks for reading. Well, they say the stronger you get, the stronger you smell. I’m feeling pretty strong right now, so I’ll be going to clean up. ( Darn it! I’ll lose all my strength.)

Peace out funky freshes.

// Aw_Shucks –

View Aw_Shucks’ portfolio.

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