Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Rich Internet Applications [Paperback]

Phillip Kerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2003

The long-stale page metaphor for Web sites is finally dying out, replaced by the single-screen rich-Internet apps that Flash MX 2004 is at last bringing to the mainstream. To stay ahead of the curve¿and to start creating the kind of Web sites you used to only dream of¿you need this guide. In these pages you'll learn how to create the sites that more and more companies are demanding¿the kind that pull complex data from multiple sources for delivery via a single Web interface, so that users can perform multiple functions from a single screen. The focus here is on building the Flash MX 2004 front end to work with that complex data. You'll learn how to structure applications to eliminate page refreshes while reducing download time, build real-time and time-delayed applications with Flash Communication Server, integrate technologies like Flash Remoting and Macromedia Central, and more. You can even download all of the source files form the book's companion Web site.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The long-stale page metaphor for Web sites is finally dying out, replaced by the single-screen rich-Internet apps that Flash MX 2004 is at last bringing to the mainstream. To stay ahead of the curve¿and to start creating the kind of Web sites you used to only dream of¿you need this guide. In these pages you'll learn how to create the sites that more and more companies are demanding¿the kind that pull complex data from multiple sources for delivery via a single Web interface, so that users can perform multiple functions from a single screen. The focus here is on building the Flash MX 2004 front end to work with that complex data. You'll learn how to structure applications to eliminate page refreshes while reducing download time, build real-time and time-delayed applications with Flash Communication Server, integrate technologies like Flash Remoting and Macromedia Central, and more. You can even download all of the source files form the book's companion Web site.

About the Author

Phillip Kerman is an independent programmer, teacher, and writer specializing in Macromedia products. His degree in Imaging and Photographic Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology was earned back when "multimedia" had a different meaning from today. One of Phillip's internships, for example, involved programming multiple slide projector presentations with dissolves synchronized to a sound track—the multimedia of the 1980s. In 1993, he found Macromedia Authorware a natural fit for his interests and skills. After getting his start at The Human Element, Inc., he moved back to Portland, Oregon, to work on his own.

Phillip has transitioned his expertise from Authorware to Director, and now to Flash. Over 10 years, he has had to adapt to countless version upgrades —Flash MX 2004 being the most significant of them all! In addition to retooling and building his own skills, Phillip finds teaching the biggest challenge. He has trained and made presentations around the world, in such exotic locations as Reykjavik, Iceland; Melbourne, Australia; Amsterdam, Holland; and McAlester, Oklahoma. He also wrote Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash MX 2004 in 24 Hours and ActionScripting in Flash MX. His writing has also appeared in such publications as Macworld, Macromedia's DevNet resource site, on quarterly Developer Resource Kit CDs, and in his self-published The Phillip Newsletter (http://www.phillipkerman.com/newsletter).

In addition to showing others how to create multimedia, Phillip has had plenty of opportunities to get his hands dirty in programming. He programmed the Flash interface for the real-time cattle auction site stampedecattle.com using Flash Communication Server and Flash Remoting. Feel free to email Phillip at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (October 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735713669
• ISBN-13: 978-0735713666
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,884,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been teaching Flash since version 3 and writing books since version 5. I also do contract development (programming).

My early experiences in photography have a direct correlation to my job today. The feeling I get when I see a project that I assemble come to life is the same I'd get watching a photograph develop in the darkroom.

While I understand that great projects involve the work of many dedicated
people, I'm not shy to point out that I was the primary programmer for the following projects:
. the original Millennium Three site (archived at
http://www.deepplay.com/sites/m399/),
. a real-time Flash auction that consistently sells over $5
million in cattle during a typical 90-minute sale (http://www.stampedecattle.com),
. the site for the "other" cool office chair (http://www.allsteeloffice.com/number19/movie.asp),
. the Witness to History kiosk featured in the Communication Arts 11th Annual Interactive Exhibition (http://www.commarts.com/ca/interactive/cai05/36_ia05.html).

The short story of my rise from mere mortal to being in charge of everything at
phillipkerman.com LLC goes like this:
. I was a student photographer for Sunset High School's newspaper and yearbook
. I rode my bicycle from Portland, Oregon, to go to college in Rochester, New York
(and got all 2 years' worth of physical education credits waived in the process)
. I graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science in imaging and photographic technology
. I worked for Sinar Bron, Inc., selling premier professional photographic equipment
. I worked for The Human Element, Inc., doing Authorware (version 1) development
. Finally, I drove back to Portland, Oregon, where I've been doing contract work and teaching for more than 10 years.

For details about all the projects I've worked on, see archives of my newsletter at www.phillipkerman.com/newsletter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing here for developers, November 11, 2003

By 

Craig Earls (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Rich Internet Applications (Paperback)

If you are looking to learn RIAs and are coming from a non Flash background skip this book. There is absolutely nothing here about the huge differences between developing Flash apps and developing in more conventional application environemnts under say, Java, or C#. Even basic things like structuring code (on frames, or central, use of timeline) are glossed over completely. There is no mention of the new Flash MX Pro 2004 screen or forms. There isn't even a discussion of preloading issues and transition between user interfaces. Over all I only found one useful thing in the book, and that would have been found just by doing a better read of the macromedia documentation. Very disappointing. This book is a big reason I try not to buy online. Had I leafed through this at a store I would have not brought it home.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, this is THE book for programmers, December 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Rich Internet Applications (Paperback)

I can't say that I paid for this book. I actually won a copy at Macromedia Max 2003 - however I would not hesitate to buy it. If you are a programmer familiar with Flash MX 6.0 then this is the book to get you up to speed on programming Flash MX 2004. You need to know ActionScript already to take full advantage of this book. It seems some of the reviewers are expecting to have this book walk you through actionscript, the Flash IDE, etc. This is not the books purpose in my opinion. It is how to take advantage of the new tools available in Flash to created Rich Internet Applications.

Being a person whom makes my living building RIAs I have been very impressed with the book. The section on DataSets, DataHolders, etc. was very good and informative. Learning that I can persist a DataSet to a Shared Object made my day! FlashCom coverage is well done, as is the Remoting section. There are a bunch of tips throughout the book that really make it Kerman's best book yet.

If your expecting a Flash or ActionScript tutorial look elsewhere, perhaps the Teach Yourself Flash MX 2004 in 24 hours books would help. If your an experienced ActionScript coder and ready for the next wave (RIAs) then don't wait, grab this book.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phillip Kerman has written another MUST READ flash book!, October 28, 2003

By 

"flash_developer" (Chicago IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Rich Internet Applications (Paperback)

As a web development professional who's purchased well over a hundred Web Devlopment books over the years, I most often find myself skimming and referencing these giant manuals, however in Phillip Kerman I've discovered a READABLE technical author.

After purchasing Phillip Kerman's previous outstanding book "ActionScripting in Flash MX" I saw that he was the first to publish an MX 2004 title. Naturally, his previous book was recommendation enough, so I purchased "Macromedia Flash MX 2004 for Rich Internet Applications".

Having now read it cover to cover - and now as I go through it again - I'm amazed at his writing style. Not only is it extremely understandable, thoughtful, and insightful, (even the complicated parts), it makes sense of the CONCEPTS behind what he's talking about - not just the examples.

In MX 2004 for RIA's, Kerman walks the user through everything from arrays to the new components, to exchanging data with outside sources, to communication server, etc. Basically covering all the good bits that Flash MX 2004 is capable of. This is not a reference book - It is a book that gives you a BROAD UNDERSTANDING as well as the confidence you need to take on the advanced stuff on your own. If you're the type of person that borrows code from other sources because you've never quite UNDERSTOOD something. Read this and people WILL BE BORROWING YOUR CODE.

I'm please to say that Kerman is consistently ahead of the pack in both his writing and explanatory style. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all professionals looking to dive into Flash MX 2004 and gain a thorough understanding of it's new and improved features and components.