Customer Reviews

Sams Teach Yourself Flash MX ActionScript in 24 Hours

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The most extraordinary flaws in this book are the constant references to files on a non existent CD. Each chapter has a selection of code examples that are accessible from a CD. However, the CD doesn't exist, and it beggars belief that the book made it all through proofing into print without this error being caught. There is no errata slip, and no mention of a website that might have the missing files (if you visit the author's own website, the files will be found). Moreover some of the code examples appear to be from the author's earlier Flash 5 book on game creation. There are also glitches in some of the books' code snippets (quotes added, and typos).

My overall impression of the book (I began skimming it after I discovered the CD flaw) is that it is easy to read, but not to follow. The CD flaw is so ubiquitous throughout the text, that one wonders whether Sam's shouldn't reimburse everyone who bought the book, or at least pencil them in for a reprint. Nearly every chapter references the contents of at least one CD file, but fails to replicate the code example on the page you're reading.

Another flaw is the lack of good software engineering practices to use with Flash. One of my biggest headaches in dealing with graduates that have 'mastered' Flash outside of Computer Science, is their lack of an understanding of structured programming. The book misses an opportunity to address these principles early on.

If the flaws above were fixed, this could be a great book. Until then I would not be happy to recommend it to a student. Incidentally, the publishers still haven't replied to a complaint I emailed about the proof reading and missing CD.

This book contains very good examples and is easy to follow. It would be even easier to follow if I wasn't having to continuously correct coding errors throughout the book. If you want to beef up on your debugging skills then this book is great. I am a little disappointed in the author and his quality control in publishing this book. It would be a fabulous book otherwise.

THE BAD:
First of all, there are indeed so many errors in this book, it is ludicrous. For example (page 75, number 4) , one script tells you to use "gotoAndStop" but then in the code it has written "gotoAndPlay". If you type in the code as given, the movie doesn't work properly, but if you then figure out that the author really _meant_ to put in the code what he intially said - ie: "gotoAndStop" - the movie works fine. It's that kind of thing that can really drive you nuts.

THE GOOD:

That said, I did learn (or re-learn) some programming concepts from this book and it has gotten me started in ActionScript . I'm one of those poor schmucks ( aka: "a designer") that has been trying to learn programming on my own for six years and until recently, couldn't tell a function from a variable. So the fact that this book got a few programming concepts through my thick skull made it a worthwhile read... in spite of the errors.

Gary,

Thanks so much for this book. I just bought it this afternoon after months of trying to find a book that I could relate to.

FINALLY, I understand onClipEvent(enterframe) and onClipEvent(load). You don't know how long I have been trying to get a simple CLEAR explanation, with examples, clarifying these two keywords. Simple sentences like "It happenes one time only." finally made onClipEvent(load)clear to me. Now I UNDERSTAND
the importance of onClipEvent(enterframe). Thank you so much. Clarity!

I think I can FINALLY make progress with Actionscript. You have put so many writers to shame who have attempted to explain actionscripting. For a long time I thought actionscriting was for a few insiders. It's about time someone explained THE important concepts in a simple precise manner. I really think
that actionscripting concepts are so clear to the "pros" that they don't think about breaking up these concepts into smaller parts, the essential parts, which really SHOW the meaning of the concept, the ESSENSE of the concept.

PLEASE KEEP WRITING! Finally a knucklehead like myself can understand actionscriting. And it's us knuckleheads that SHOULD be giving writers feedback! Because when you can reach us you KNOW you have a chance of reaching a VERY LARGE audience.

Please keep your ears open to the simplest of questions.

Thanks,
G. Landry

well, i dont mind the missing cd-rom coz i found the fla files online.
ok: so i am a beginner, and i needed a book that would get me running on actionscript. well, this book certainly dispelled my fears about actionscript and i can now read actionscript with fair understanding.
but where this book fails is when it rushes to explain actionscript CONCEPTs by giving code and devoting a paltry line or two to explain it. sure, i understand that there is a definite time constraint when trying to teach something quickly, but not this fast!!
its pretty good uptil hour 8-9, and after that its jerky. inadequate explanations, and "type this and understand what it means" advise.

but on the positive side, ALL the examples are real world and often used. u will quickly come up to speed with scrolling, menus, buttons etc. but..... the concept itself? dunno.

I bought this book 3 months ago and after reading it and playing along with the programming, I found myself very confused about simple things that I learned in the first chapter of 'Foundation Actionscript for Flash MX 2004,' by Sham Bhangal.

'Foundation Actionscript for Flash MX 2004' is a MUCH better learning tool than 'Sams...' After reading both books, I would NOT recommend buying 'Sams...'

'Foundation...' gives the reader a strong foundation in understanding the framework of actionscript (going into details about the use of variables, arrays, and functions right away), but 'Sams...' focuses on making flashy, but underexplained flash files.

I made some neat flash files using the 'Sams...' book, and it didnt hurt to read it, but after comparing it to 'Foundation...' I wish I would have bought 'Foundation Actionscript for Flash MX 2004' first.

I have to say that I have been researching Flash MX Actionscript books for awhile now, and Gary's book is BY FAR the BEST!! It is written so that a visual designer like myself can understand better the language of Actionscript. I have taken classes, as well as read other books on Actionscript, and found myself extremely lost and confused, since I am not a developer/programmer. I perused Gary's book and found that it was clearly the easiest to understand. I highly recommend this book, especially to others like myself that do not have a lot of programming knowledge.

Many books pertaining to Flash ActionScript claim to be full of "Real World" exercises but frequently don't deliver. That is not the case with this solid book. Among many things, it will show you clearly how to develop great website features through the use of ActionScript.

For instance, after using this book I can now develop web content that will be great for educational purposes, simply because it clearly explained how I can control and utilize movie clips in various ways. Now I can direct users of my online educational material through it in a logical and efficient manner.

If you have tried other ActionScript books and still don't feel like you have a clue how to do something of practical value. Buy this book. I'm certain you won't be disappointed!

What can I say? This book is the absolute best guide to anyone starting out with Actionscript, Gary even put the missing CD files on his website to download after the publishers "forgot" the CD :). This book is a must for any Flash enthusiast!!

Excellent tutorial, very straightforward!

The only drawback was that a cd was not included with the book.
However, the book examples can be downloaded easily from the publisher's website.

THE SAMPLE CODE ALONE IS WORTH MORE THAN THE COST OF THIS BOOK!

I didn't realize how easy ActionScript was until after reading this book