The Flash MX Project

Rating:
Summary: The Flash MX Project
Review: Do you learn best by reading the theory and mechanics, and then doing it? This one's for YOU!

The writing is concise and broken into manageable clumps that suit those who mull new ideas as well as those who read only headings and captions, then slam into gear on their own.

Build a website using FlashMX with no pain or strain. But don't be fooled by the simplicity of this book's website project style and subject matter. The site construction takes you painlessly through every up-town feature FlashMX has to offer.

In a classroom/lab situation or alone in your own quiet corner of the web universe, this book will boost you up to speed with FlashMX in a flash.

Rating:
Summary: Great Learning Tool
Review: Don't let the project site developed in this book mislead you. Though its style and design are aimed to a very young audience, learning by developing the site touches on every feature of Flash MX, even the up-town, whiz-bang, o-so-cool features used in the most sophisticated Flash sites, so, rather than ooohing and wowing over dazzling effects, you actually delve into the foundational concepts and techniques of creating a Flash site.

The explanations are clear, and the instructions concise. For those who have never created a Flash file or site, but who have a million ideas to impliment, this book is invaluable.

Rating:
Summary: BUY ANOTHER BOOK
Review: GLARING OMMISSIONS, COUNTLESS TYPOS, FAULTY AI FILES. AVOID THIS BOOK @ ALL COSTS

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Summary: Entertaining and informative book
Review: I am new to Flash MX and found this book to be exactly what I needed to learn the fundamentals of Flash MX and how to apply the product to Web development. I particularly enjoyed the project of a children's site that I built throughout the book. The Flash MX skills were presented in a very easy to understand manner with many analogies to other areas of Web development. The book begins with an overview of Flash MX and its use in Web development. It then quickly progresses to other topics starting with how to initially create a new movie and Stage content. I now understand how to use symbols and instances more effectively in a movie's development and how to use animation for my Stage content. Actionscripting was presented starting with basic actions and quickly progressed to more powerful scripting. I am comfortable with this complex and powerful language after working through the book and building the project. I think this book is a must for anyone who develops Web sites! I highly recommend it for others who are starting out with Flash and for others who are more comfortable with the application. Way to go New Riders and Cheryl, I appreciate your efforts!

Rating:
Summary: Great book for learning Flash MX
Review: I disagree with the previous reviewer. I found the Flash MX Project to be a very informative and well written book. I really enjoyed the progression of the book from chapter to chapter and topic to topic. I did not find any of the files faulty and they all worked great. Though there were some typo's in this book, I have to say it is rare to find a book that does not have typo's. I really enjoyed the book and feel that I have a new understanding and skill level with Flash MX! I would highly recommend this book to others that are interested in learning Flash MX from the basic level of beginning and even recommend it for others that are more intermediate in their skill level with Flash.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe the best Flash book I read
Review: I have spent lots of money on Flash books and most aren't worth a dime. This book gives you hands on training by building a site. I would say it isn't the easiest book to read, but very well written. What this book showed me was how to put to use what all those other books talked about. Learning flash is one thing, but knowing how to design a website using flash is something hard to grasp. This book helped. Also, this book made me realize how difficult it is to put a quality site together using Flash. Consequently, Flash seems like a lot of work to spruce up your site a little. What we really need is a program easier then Flash that can animate your site (Swish doesn't have the power to do what flash can). Buy it if you are prepared to read and work hard at building and learning from this book. Believe me you'll learn something from this book if you put forth the effort.

Rating:
Summary: Best buy for your time
Review: If you have any desire of learning Flash MX, this si the bookfor you. I'm a college student with little time and even a smaller checkbook. This book definitely taught me everything I needed and wanted to know about Flash -- from making a movie to the complexity of Action Scripting -- in little time. Plus, it was easier on my pocketbook than almost any other comprehensive book available.

Rating:
Summary: Good concept with a flawed delivery
Review: The concept behind this book is to learn by building a Flash MX project from beginning to end. It is a great concept and a great way to learn. Sadly, the delivery is highly flawed.

To cite an example: The activity on page 73 has the reader turning on the Grid feature and editing the properties. The book tells the reader to select File, Grid, Edit Grid. There are no Grid selections under the File menu option. They are located under the View menu. Mistakes such as this occur far too often in the book.

I suppose a reasonably intelligent reader could figure it out for themselves (and learn in the process) but, if that is the case, why does one need to spend $30 to work around someone elses errors.

I also found myself annoyed by the use of non gender neutral language. In most instances, "she" is used over the more neutral "they". I do realize that this is a minor point, but annoying otherwise.

New Riders publications, have some great ideas. However, their technical editors leave a lot to be desired. In nearly every book I have used by them, their have been serious technical flaws (one book's files did not match the text instructions). These books are not inexpensive and greater care should be taken with technical material.

I was feeling generous today and gave it 3-stars. You will get something out of it, but be prepared to work for it.