Customer Reviews

Macromedia Studio MX 2004 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies

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Macromedia Studio MX All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies is definately a value-packed, thick, useful book. There is good reference material and getting-started info on Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, Freehand 10, Macromedia Vlash MX, & Cold Fusion MX along with two sections on design basics and integration of studio components.

As I said, with such a breadth of information the book is definately a bargain. However, that advantage is also the book's primary downfall I feel. It says 7 books in one, but if that is true it is SEVEN SHORT BOOKS. Each book is definately not the standard "For Dummies" length. This lends itself to make it 7 abridged-sized books. The adbridgement comes by removing all of the discussion on the more advanced features of the program. Unfortunately the extreme basics are also belabored.

All of that means that the book will be useful to help you get started in Macromedia Studio, but after you have a little more than a few hours of experience in the software suite you will find the book increasingly useless. Because the features which a mildly seasoned user will find difficult to master are not covered, this book is not such a great value if the purchaser already has mild to moderate background experience with MX software.

So with that review in mind take it or leave according to your lot. If you are new to Macromedia Studio MX and want some help for the first month or so getting up and running, this is a great resource. But if you have already pushed through the growing pains of climbing the learning curve, you may want to pass on this one for a more advanced text.

You would be better off buying a book about a specific Macromedia application rather than trying to save money with this "all-in-one". There is simply not enough information in order to explain the concepts well enough. This book explains something once and then goes on to the next topic. I would compare it more to the Help section than a tutorial.

Instead, I would recommend the SAMS Teach yourself Flash in 24 hours - it is more comprehensive and easier to follow. If you think you are getting a steal with all 7 books for the price of one, don't buy this book.

This book is wonderful, it has all the info you need to help you work in the Studio Mx 2004 program!