Rating: 
Summary: Totally Professional
Review: I got this book because of the last part on streaming MP3 files. After knocking myself out with the docs provided by Macromedia for streaming MP3 files, I found this book ...and literally read the part on Radio Free Flash... I disovered that the authors had one more parameter in their code for setting up a server side MP3 play list than the docs suggested. Guess what? The book had it right!So it may not seem fair to review a book on one little thing that saved my sanity (and opened a floodgate of information), but here goes. First of all, when I downloaded the apps from the author's site, they were all there, including the example with streaming MP3 files. (They even included sample MP3 files.) Second, the applications were fully professional. Not only did the apps all work as expected, the graphics by Binitie were the best I've seen in a computer book. Instead of getting some clip-art junk, the design and artwork was fully professional. Third, I liked the tips a lot. Like being reminded to reload the app every time you change the server side script. (The asc file.) Finally, I really enjoyed the discussions about how the applications were developed. Again, I liked the last part the best because I've been there. A client wants an app at the last second, and everyone you work with is not available, and so you knock yourself out going nuts to get it done. In the book, the approach taken has all of the earmarks of reality, but what I liked best was not just the trial and errors (which also included a nice piece on client-side streaming MP3 files that was not used in the final product) but the attitude. These guys are doing real business in the real world. Instead of whining about it, they understood it. Nobody likes to have clients with some kind of 11th hour demand, but Sanders and Binitie know that the client gets last-minute opportunities that don't fall into a nice neat schedule, and they plan for it. (They also charge for it!!) Finally, if you're a beginner in Flash MX and want to get a quickie intro to Flash Comm MX, you can forget about this book. This book is by pros and for pros. The explanations are first rate, and I like how snippets of code from the client side are illustrated connecting to the server side. However, before you can take advantage of what this book offers, you should know ActionScript MX. The book does not cover components at all, but rather is strictly for those who want to build their own apps working with Flash Comm and both client- and server-side Communication ActionScript MX.
Rating: 
Summary: this is not a good enough book for me
Review: i have a few points that may be valuable for those who are looking for really professional flashcom books:
1. the example files that come from this book's website work very poorly due to lack of programming considerations within the book itself. some applications fail to run on the second run because something is wrong with the programming used on the flashcom side or client-side, and the applications simply won't start unless u reload the applications from the server.
2. the book does not go thoroughly enough with flashcom applications such as user management in a video conference, and server-side scripts that are required for handling issues such as user log on/off, userid, etc.
3. although the book goes to teach real life solutions, but it barely touches the core concept of flashcom applications. i can only comment that this book is on the rim of a glass.
i hope my points will be helpful for those who are looking for a really good flashcom books...
Rating: 
Summary: As a programmer, I thought this book was awful
Review: I researched a few books online covering FCS and was sold on this one after reading the high reviews. I purchased the book and went through the entire thing in about an hour and gained nothing more than what I have learned from the Macromedia documentation and online resource center. NOTE: I was going into this expecting to learn more about how Flash and Flash Comm Server work together to better code applications between them. This book shows a few simple examples of how to use the built-in components. I strongly recommend NOT buying this book. I was was surprised to see all the high ratings when I came back to add my review, so be sure to read those as I am one of the few that is dissatisfied with this book.
Rating:
Summary: As a programmer, I thought this book was awful
Review: I researched a few books online covering FCS and was sold on this one after reading the high reviews. I purchased the book and went through the entire thing in about an hour and gained nothing more than what I have learned from the Macromedia documentation and online resource center. NOTE: I was going into this expecting to learn more about how Flash and Flash Comm Server work together to better code applications between them. This book shows a few simple examples of how to use the built-in components. I strongly recommend NOT buying this book. I was was surprised to see all the high ratings when I came back to add my review, so be sure to read those as I am one of the few that is dissatisfied with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Programming Indeed
Review: Maybe I'm not a typical FlashCom user as far a programming background is concerned. I'm a Java programmer with a little experience in Flash. I don't write reviews because I don't believe most of the ones I read anyway and this one is simply in response to one of this book that was factually inaccurate. I've looked at 2 or 3 books that have some information about FlashCom, and this is the best by far. The reason I like this book is because it is pure programming. It contains no FlashCom components at all. Period. I have no idea why a reviewer would say otherwise. (Maybe he's confused this book with another book.) Coming from Java, I thought FlashCom would be a piece of cake. It is not (despite what a favorable review claims). You need to coordinate ActionScript, Client-side ActionScript and Server-side ActionScript. I liked the real-world examples in this book and each of the five applications brought together the different versions of ActionScript. The authors used procedural programming rather than OOP. However, in going over the code (and adding my own changes)it is not poorly structured. I am not a big fan of this book's format. It goes through the details of dealing with clients, which in my work, I avoid. (We have reps that do that.) I wish that space had been used for more scripts and apps. However, the processes described are real and people who like that kind of stuff will like the book. Like I said, THIS BOOKS CONTAINS NO FlashCom components, and I'd hate to see it passed over because of a wildly inaccurate review.
Rating:
Summary: Complete Package
Review: This book dots all the i's and crosses all the t's for me. The book itself is well done with applications that actually work and represent an excellent cross-section of what FCS does. The artwork is top notch, and the stories are lots of fun and resonate with clients I've had. (I swear one was identical.) What makes this book stand out, in my opinon, is that the author really took the trouble to support the reader. A couple of emails I sent got immediate responses, and all of the apps in the book were available for downloading at the author's site. (The book is divided into 5 parts, and each part has an applicaiton.) When I went to download the book example apps, they were all there. In addition, the author put up 3 more apps -- a 60% "bonus" for the reader. So instead of getting 5 applications, I got 8. So the book and the author support make a complete package, something all too rare today.
Rating:
Summary: Shared Object Treasure Hunt
Review: This book has the best materials on shared objects and Flash Communication Server on the market. I am more partial to this book than would normally be the case because it had exactly what I needed in one of its parts. A friend had told me that Flash Comm could be used to make remote presentations, and that was exactly what I needed. Our presenters use PowerPoint all the time in presentations, and if they could make a PP type of presentation over the Web, they could reach a much larger segment of their client population with a lot less travel and taking less time. One of the book's apps is designed for univeristy professors making remote presentations. It includes both a text and JPEG slide show, and while it's not exactly like PP, it's what I was looking for. It was designed to be easy to update for professors who needed to add text and graphics, and so we did not have to change that feature for the presenters. However, it was set up for one or two cameras, and we only needed one, and the university (complete with logo) design had to be changed as well. However, otherwise, we had an out-of-the-box app that we were able to get up and running for our own purposes almost immediately. Having said that, the book has got a lot more on shared objects than meets the eye, or at least than is in the Index. Two parts of the book (a total of 10 chapters) have applications with shared objects, but the Index only lists two pages in Part II, and so while this is a 5-star book, the Index (at least on shared objects) should cost it a star or two. The examples and explanations of how to use shared objects in themselves is worth the cost of this book. Most of the material is on client-side remote shared objects, and there's some stuff on server-side shared objects as well. For our purposes, though, we only ended up using client-side remote shared objects. The other materials in the book seem fine (and a lot better indexed!), and the graphics are very professional, but to be honest, my focus was on understanding shared objects, and so I won't comment on the other stuff. You need to know ActionScript, but otherwise, it's not rocket science. So when you get this book, you have to engage in a bit of treasure hunting to find all of the mateirals on shared objects, but they're all there and nicely explained.
Rating: 
Summary: All Scenario and No Code.
Review: This is a fun book. It walks readers through real life situations. Unfortunately it does not have enough coding examples. I understand that it was not intended to be a Flash Communications Action Script primer, but this is more book is more scenario than code. I already had a solid understanding of the FlashCom server when I got this book ( FlashCom experience is required for this book). It was fun to read but what I needed were advanced coding techniques not useless details about the author's former clients. The book actually gives the floor plans of the office of one of the clients which you are instructed to make a site for. The office layout was entirely unrelated to the application. With the single exception that limited space made video conferencing essential. I would buy more books in the Reality series. However, in the future they will not be the second book I buy on a topic. As a third book I think they would work great. Its all fun and no code. Sometimes I felt like I was waiting my time. If you have a solid grasp of FlashCom get the book. I am sure you will enjoy reading it.
andrew-simmons@andrew-simmons.com
Rating:
Summary: All Scenario and No Code.
Review: This is a fun book. It walks readers through real life situations. Unfortunately it does not have enough coding examples. I understand that it was not intended to be a Flash Communications Action Script primer, but this is more book is more scenario than code. I already had a solid understanding of the FlashCom server when I got this book ( FlashCom experience is required for this book). It was fun to read but what I needed were advanced coding techniques not useless details about the author's former clients. The book actually gives the floor plans of the office of one of the clients which you are instructed to make a site for. The office layout was entirely unrelated to the application. With the single exception that limited space made video conferencing essential. I would buy more books in the Reality series. However, in the future they will not be the second book I buy on a topic. As a third book I think they would work great. Its all fun and no code. Sometimes I felt like I was waiting my time. If you have a solid grasp of FlashCom get the book. I am sure you will enjoy reading it.
andrew-simmons@andrew-simmons.com
Rating:
Summary: Third Ones a Charm
Review: This is my 3rd FlashCom book, and it's the first one that isn't about FlashCom components. (In fact, if you want more information about FlashCom components, this isn't the book for you--try Reinhardt & Allardice if that's what you're looking for.) This book is about Server and Client side Communication ActionScript and the development process. It's not for beginners, and you need to be comfortable with Flash ActionScript MX before you even think about using this book. One of the most valuable parts of this book is the Introduction. It's only 11 pages, but if you downloaded the Dev version of FlashCom, it's the best explanation of how to set it up that I've seen. (It's also the only book that seems to cover FlashCom 1.5.) It's got 5 different apps to build using both CSCAS and SSCAS. Those are all fine, and you can download them from one of the author's site. However, in the development process, they authors throw away as many good tips and parts as they develop. In the development process of the "Visiting Professor," I finally learned how to use remote shared objects using buttons. However, they decided not to use the button in the final app but instead used a list box, but it was with the button call backs that I finally got how to use the SOs. Also, in the "vtMail" app, they showed how to use buffering with recorded a/v but decided not to use it in the final app. I'm not sure whether this series is for everyone, especially if you're used to reference-type books. Each application is broken up into 5 chapters that show a process of development and decision-making. That's fine, but it's a little difficult to find what you want. (I solved the look-up problem with the index.) However, each of the Parts shows how everything hangs together, and I liked that. My only complaint is that I wish the authors had had more apps. Also, while the applications look great on the screen, some are a little dark on the page, but that's minor. For those serious about learning how to use FlashCom ActionScript, this is the place to begin.
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