Power User's Guide to Windows Development (Programming Series) (Paperback)

by Jason Darby (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world. Millions of computers are shipped every year with it as the OS, making Windows the platform of choice for developers. And because of its widespread use, there are numerous programming languages that can be used to create applications that will work with Windows. But you don't have to be a programmer to develop practical, fun, and interesting applications with Windows. Many people have learned how to harness the power of Windows to make their own tools and the Power User's Guide to Windows Development will teach you how to create your own without knowing how to program! Written for power Windows users, Web developers, and beginning programmers who want to go beyond the basic functional uses of Windows, but who aren't programmers, this book is a complete guide to making your own games, music players, CD-ROM menus, screensavers, movie players, advertising materials, and more. Using a free trial version of Multimedia Fusion 2 Developer (Clickteam), you’ll learn how to develop your own tools within Windows. A variety of fun projects are used throughout the book to get you developing practical applications quickly. Beginning with basic screen savers, you'll progress through edutainment tools, interactive tutorials, games, CD-ROM menus, graphic creation, videos, music, and networking tools. So, if you want to make your own applications to use on Windows, the Power User's Guide to Windows Development will teach you everything you need to know-- no programming required!

About the Author
Jason Darby is the Director of Castle Software Ltd, an indie games and multimedia development company in the heart of the UK. Jason started on his computer creation business in 1998 when he released an offline web browser program. Since then he has been working on projects for businesses including a CD-ROM project for PC Format Magazine (UK), a number of quiz programs for large blue chip companies, educational multimedia programs, and small games. Jason has also had a number of books published in the game creation market including Make Amazing Games in Minutes, Awesome Game Creation: No Programming Required, and Game Creation for Teens, all published by Course Technology PTR.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584505184
• ISBN-13: 978-1584505181
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #787,071 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Learning Tool, October 26, 2007

By	Merrie Schonbach (PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Multimedia Fusion II can be a little confusing for the first time user, especially if they have no programming background. This book is excellent for such a person. It walks you through step by step many of the common functions of MMF II and how they are used giving you a firm foundation to getting started making your games or other applications.

I would highly recommend starting with this book then going to the second book 'Make Amazing Games in Minutes' by Jason Darby.

Make no mistake just because it is a click programming environment does not mean it cannot produce some amazing programs. MMF II and Developer can make pretty much whatever you want with the time, energy and thought.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Create games and applications with a click of the mouse!!!, April 25, 2007

By	Paul Boland (Waterford, Ireland.) - See all my reviews

So you have an idea for a new computer game, eh...
Now you want to get it off the ground...
Where do you start...

Well, you could spend a small fortune on a commcercial programming language, pick up a few back-breaking books, study till your brain melts from your ears and then, just then, sit down to program the game engine, not the game, just the engine...

Well, wipe that tear from your eye because there's no need to cry. With Clickteam's The Games Factory 2 and MultiMedia Fusion 2, you can create computer games and application software with a click of the mouse button! Shoot em ups, action adventures, racing, puzzles... File management, website creators, chat programs... Multimedia presentations, multimedia applications... It would take you months, if not longer, to program these from scratch in C++, VB, etc. With Clickteam software, you can do it all with your mouse!

And this book, "The Power User's Guide to Windows Development" by Jason Darby, will show you how. This is the second of two books by Jason, both focusing on MMF. This book delves into more advanced content. CD ROM based menus, chat programs, screen savers, to name but a few topics covered in detail in this book. Jason takes you through all the tasks needed to bring these projects to life and the fact that it's all created with the mouse (well, there is some keyboard use but there no need to learn a single line of programming!!), is just amazing.

If you're a creative person, like me, and you want to create your own software but have always been daunted by the task of learning C++ or the likes, MMF from Clickteam, and this book, are all you need to bring your visions to life!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for learning how to make applications or video games, April 23, 2007

By	J. Vance "Video game maker" (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book walks you thru the technical side of using Multimedia Fusion in a very easy to follow method. After you follow along this book you will quickly understand how to use Multimedia Fusion to create an application or game.

One of the exciting projects is the complete chat system. Its amazing such a powerful and complex project in VB or C++ can be done so amazingly fast.