Upgrade Google Analytics Classic to Universal

[grantkemp]

Currently the code in Analytics 3.2.9 seems to be using Analytics Classic - which is no longer advocated by Google. It should be updated to Google analytics univesal.

The only place I can see the bridge is here:
https://github.com/flowplayer/flash/blob/1caea54d3e7fa66b6496d556998052507a6d05a4/core/test/analytics.html

Is there any other locations that I haven't looked.?

If so -then I can suggest a good way to implement it that would be backwards compatible with existing legacy versions of Flow player and allow full use of the latest Google Analytics features.

[grantkemp]

It actually looks pretty easy to do as the code is structured nicely.

I think I can do a fix easilty and share it back. How Do I compile just the SWF plugin for analytics? I can't see anything in the readme for the project or in the Flowplayer docs.

[danrossi]

They use the swc libraries of the GA code.

Original project was here

https://code.google.com/archive/p/gaforflash/

New project

https://github.com/zwetan/as3-universal-analytics

[grantkemp]

@danrossi ah - good shout. Is that big thing to do ? I was looking at doing it via the Bridge instead of using Measurement protocol.

It sounds like it would be the easiest option and ideal just to update the flash plugin to use universal as you say above.

[grantkemp]

Just had a look - and unfortunately flash is not my strong point.
I know GA and Measurement protocol really well - so I can advise on the implementation if someone can do the Flash piping.

[zwetan]

by quickly looking at the sources it seems the analytics is done trough a plugin
https://github.com/flowplayer/flash/tree/master/plugins/analytics

I would suggest to create another analytics plugin (maybe? I'm not sure)
keeping the same structure/logic
but replacing com/google/analytics packages with the ones of as3-universal-analytics

then you would have to change the logic and api calls in org/flowplayer/analytics
(maybe another name? org/flowplayer/uanalytics or whatever to not confuse the 2 plugins)

in the main class GoogleTracker (maybe rename that too?)

for example

import libraries.uanalytics.tracking.AnalyticsTracker;
import libraries.uanalytics.tracker.WebTracker;

public class GoogleTracker extends Sprite implements Plugin {

//...
private var _tracker:AnalyticsTracker; // ideally use the interface

private function instantiateTracker():void {

    try {
        _tracker = new WebTracker( "UA-12345-67" ); // for web
        //_tracker = new AppTracker( "UA-12345-57" ); // for AIR
        // or any custom tracker/sender that implement the interface

        // more logic if needed

    } catch(e:Error) {
        _model.dispatchError(PluginError.ERROR, "Unable to create tracker: " + e);
    }
}

}

private function doTrackEvent(eventName:String, trackViewDuration:Boolean = false, event:ClipEvent = null):void {

    if (_tracker == null) {
        instantiateTracker();
    }

    var clip:Clip = Clip(event ? event.target : _player.currentClip);
    var time:int = trackViewDuration ? (_viewDurationMillis / 1000) : int(_player.status ? _player.status.time : 0);

    // follow the doc from the interface 
    // eg. event( category:String, action:String, label:String = "", value:int = -1 ):Boolean;
    _tracker.event( category, eventName, clip.completeUrl + (clip.isInStream ? ": instream" : ""), time );
}

see interface libraries.uanalytics.tracking.AnalyticsTracker

from that it's writing logic for the configuration and other custom settings you may need.

[danrossi]

It seems it needs a complete refactor to use the new library.

[zwetan]

it is a different library implementing a different protocol
even if it is still Google Analytics

[grantkemp]

yes I tried to have a go this weekend.

so far after about 5hours, ihave got my head round it but am fighting against my lack of knowledge on flash to really progress.

i think the ideal method - is just to update the _gaq calls and change them to ga( calls via the Javascript bridge until someone who knows more flash can find time to update.