Byte-Size Flash MX: Adventures in Optimization [Paperback]

Keith Peters (Author), Cody Lindley (Author), Kip Parker (Author), Genevive Garand (Author), David Hirmes (Author), Roy Tanck (Author), Robert Reich (Author), Genevieve Gerand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1590592115 | ISBN-13: 978-1590592113 | Edition: 1

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Who is this book for

You've worked with Flash, but are wondering why people are getting tetchy at the download time. You're willing to start learning some ActionScript tricks to fight the file flab, and you're not afraid to become addicted to optimization! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Keith Peters lives in the vicinity of Boston with his wife, Kazumi, and their daughter, Kristine. He has been working with Flash since 1999, and has co-authored many books for friends of ED, including Flash MX Studio, Flash MX Most Wanted, and the ground-breaking Flash Math Creativity. In 2001, he started the experimental Flash site, BIT-101 (BIT-101.com), which strives for a new, cutting edge, open-source experiment each day. The site won an award at the Flashforward 2003 Flash Film Festival in the Experimental category. In addition to the experiments on the site, there are several highly regarded Flash tutorials which have been translated into many languages and are now posted on web sites throughout the world. Keith is currently working full time doing freelance and contract Flash development and various writing projects.

Cody Lindley is a web producer for a technology company located in Boise, Idaho. When he is not working with client-side technologies, Flash or interaction design, he spends time with his wife and son, enjoying a simple lifestyle in the Northwest. Cody has a passion for Christian theology and takes great pleasure in learning and studying God's word. His work and ongoing ramblings can be found at CodyLindley.com.

Kip Parker is a resident of London, born on 31 January 1973. Having previously worked as a van driver, nanny, ice cream seller, sandwich maker and band manager, in 1997 he answered an ad that asked "Do you want to be a web designer?" Kip works through his own company, Hi-Rise, and in collaboration with Anthony Burrill as friendchip. friendchip's first commercial job was for German electronic band Kraftwerk, and has gone on to work largely with bands and music companies. Projects include ongoing work for 13amp.tv, and a new site for Bjork (littleibooks.com). As Hi-Rise, Kip works with airside on a multi-player game for 23rdfloor.com.

A bio is not available for this author.

First, David Hirmes wanted to be a fireman, then an astronaut, then a car mechanic, then an architect. Then, he wanted to make dioramas for the Museum of Natural History. Then he wanted to be a rock star, then a writer, a 3D animator, a carpenter, and then a writer again. For a while, all he wanted to do was ride the F train drinking Tecate from a can. Then he wanted to be a web designer, then an artist, then a roof gardener. Now, he's back to fireman.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: friendsofED; 1 edition (July 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590592115
• ISBN-13: 978-1590592113
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,153,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, January 5, 2003

By 

Simon "si-w" (Cheltenham, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byte-Size Flash MX: Adventures in Optimization (Paperback)

Finally somebody's seen fit to gather these kinds of techniques. It says on the cover youre looking at files under 4 KB, but most of these are like under 2. It's got a really good balance, going from some staple stuff to begin -- mouse trails and smoke effects and fireworks through simple scripting. After that, it passes into the really useful things, like an animated photo gallery, with gorgeous wipes and fades. I haven't yet got on to the later stuff that I've just never seen anywhere before -- an interactive 3D city, and sound! A big thumbs up, and it should have been called bit-size.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LIKE THIS BOOKS, March 7, 2003

By 

ErwinSchiphouwerAkADeamothul (Groningen, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byte-Size Flash MX: Adventures in Optimization (Paperback)

i have just bought this book, i began actionscripting about two or three months ago.
This book showed me some bad mistakes i made in programming just by doing the first three tutorials(the mouse follower, fire, smoke,fireworks)

I'm taking it step by step, but one thing is sure this book is the book for me.it explains things i like and in a way i want to see it explained.
In some of the first examples in the book one of the authors explaind emitters, particles movement, waves and amplitude.

this are some of the things in the first chapter and i really like likelikelike IT.
This book isn't a good book 4 people who don't know nothing of flash(as), but you really don't have to be a flash(as) or math expert to understand a lot of the things.
(i havent got through the whole book though, i trying to learn the examples one by one and i want 2 make sure i don't go through it to fast)

Very Good book, buying it is definitely no mistake

4.0 out of 5 stars size is everything, March 4, 2003

By 

Todd M. Yard (Astoria, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byte-Size Flash MX: Adventures in Optimization (Paperback)

Well, isn't THIS a fun book! The material is extremely diverse-- some is merely cool, though not altogether useful, while other material (such as the great chapter on separating form from function) can go a long way to helping you produce more functional, configurable sites. All through the book the reader is offered insight on techniques that will keep the file size down, and since this is the most important aspect of the book, I would have perhaps liked a checklist near the top or an index at the end of these of these ideas. As it stands, you have to go through each tutorial (although they are all interesting) to get a full list of byte-saving techniques. Not a major drawback, but a small chapter that gathered all of the authors' tricks together would have been useful.