No comments about Flash 5 (Inside Macromedia).

No comments about Canada in Pictures (Visual Geography. Second Series).

5 comments about Complete Idiot's Guide to Macromedia Flash 5.

1. David Karlins actually sent me an e-mail because of my last review about this book (below this one). He was very concerned that it didn't meet my expectations and was willing to reimburse me for the book since I had unfairly expressed my utter disappointment in it.

   Well, the truth is, it does EXACTLY what it claims to do and at an unbeatable price. And the fact that the author is so sincerely interested in delivering a book that satisfies ALL it's readers just blows my mind!

   It DOES do an adequate (and sometimes superb) job of walking you through the basics of Flash and getting you familier and comfortable with its simpler features.

   And it does this in a humouristic fashion, unlike may of the technical textbooks we've all had to suffer through.

   Yes, I did review this as a major disappointment because of it's lack of 'complete' coverage, but really, this book does everything it promises to do in a comprehensive and simple way so even the BIGGEST idiots can learn to master Flash.

   I give it 5 stars for what it is: A beginners introduction to Flash 5.

   If you're beyond the beginners level (as I am) and on to intermediate, than this book's not really for you. Read my other review for some good recommendations.

   Finally I'd like to say: Kudos to David Karlins for having the humility and sincerity that most authors lack. He really cares about delivering his promises and raising the level of todays web through educating. Cheers!




2. Well no, I don't consider myself a complete idiot; "I am a "Power User" of my PC, and of the Internet. I know what I am doing". Or so I thought! But I purchased Macromedia's Flash 5 software because I wanted to design that website full of innovative and eye catching animation. I wanted it to be noticed. To be recognised as a leader in the field of web site design. But, I was overwhelmed by the program. I didn't know where to start.

   "So", I thought, "I have to get back to basics. Lets assume I am a complete idiot. Where do I go from here?"

   To tell you the truth, there was only one place to go. The Complete Idiots Guide to Macromedia Flash 5, by David Karlins, illustrated by Paul Mikulecky, joined my "essential reading" collection.

   Without being pretentious, the book treats you as a complete idiot. It really does get down to basics. True, it does assume you have a smidgen of computer knowledge, (well if you don't, and you have brought Macromedia Flash 5, you really are dreaming the impossible ).

   I am half way through the book now. I am taking it easy. I really do want to learn all about Flash 5 and this is the book that's teaching me. But I need to absorb it all. The book is easy to follow, full of information, tips and guidance, and it takes you through each step, each level of "Objects", "Groups", "The Stage", "Frames", Timelines", "Layers", Animation", "Interactivity", "Movies", at your own pace.

   The first thing I found out was, there is a lot to learn about Flash 5. That is why I am taking my time.

   But this book is teaching me. I recommend it. It doesn't treat you as a complete idiot. What it "does" do is recognise that Macromedia Flash is a powerful, but complicated tool to master. You will need time and a helping hand to master it. The time is your own. The Complete Idiots Guide to Macromedia Flash 5 is the helping hand.

   I brought this book from Amazon.com's UK site at Amazon.co.uk. It is my pleasure to write such a good review.

   (Ohh, by the way, "Smidgen" is England English for "a small amount", ).




3. The book is easy to understand and very straight forward. The author obviously has teaching skills beyond the ordinary. Especially loved the bright orange and yellow tear out shortcuts page!



4. If you think Flash is too complicated to learn, then you might enjoy the approach taken by the author of this book: simple, funny, and easy to follow. And if you are already familiar with the basic concepts, then you can use it is a valid quick reference!



5. If you're just starting out with Flash, or even if you've been using it a while but haven't explored all its features, David Karlins' book will prove to be a useful addition to your library.

   The things I like best about this book are

   1. David has a friendly, uncomplicated way of explaining things, so it's all easy to "get."

   2. You really could be almost a technological idiot and still be able to use this book to do some fun animations with Flash, because every tool and animation technique is covered, and each item is broken up into bite-size bits.

   3. The Tips and Nitty Gritty Stuff is a good way of presenting useful key information that you can refer back to and refresh your memory as you need to.

   4. Flash is fun to work with anyway, and breaking it up the way David does here makes the technical aspects of animating in Flash so easy to digest, you'll be a Flash wizard in no time.

   Well, maybe not a wizard. This book doesn't cover much ActionScript, and that's where the real Flash wizards dwell. But as a way to giving you a solid foundation to all the ways you can have fun working with Flash, you could do a lot worse than to buy "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Macromedia Flash 5," and you'd probably have a lot less fun getting your basic Flash chops.

2 comments about Graphics Programming With Java Second Edition/Book and Cd-Rom (Graphics Series).

1. I Really happy with this book because of its graphical explanations about java classes



2. Mr. Stevens does indeed have a deep knowledge of graphics, but less so of Java and, shall we say, the Java 'way.'

   I have already seen most of the solutions and algorithms put forth here in Mr. Stevens' previous books (C-oriented). They have been somewhat updated to take advantage of Java's graphics capability.

   If you are looking for a first book to help you begin to understand graphics, fine. This is for you, and Java is probably a good language for that.

   However, if you are looking to become a better _Java_ graphics programmer, use other sources. Many of the programming idioms here seem like holdovers from procedural programming days.

   Cheers,

   --SG

4 comments about Drawing and Detailing with SolidWo 2003.

1. This book is an improved version over the 2001/Plus Book. I enjoyed the 2001/Plus version, but it was lacking in Drawing information. The book now contains strong detailing and drawing information.

   The 2003 version exercises addresses min/max layout sketches that are developed into parts in a belt drive assembly. This is very helpful if you are importing geometry from layout sketches in Autocad. The book was updated with new 2003 fit/tolerance commands and default properties for BOMS and configurations. Thank you, "authors" for listening to your customers!!!




2. Somebody just wrote a very useful book to translate the ANSI Y14 standards for SolidWorks drawings. I always thought the ANSI setting in Document Properties was a little miss leading. Our VAR says this makes the software flexible and users develop their own templates!!! OK.

   So now it is my job to develop our new templates, a task given to the new guy. My company developed their current standards based on ANSI Y14-1984, so in 20 years we finally took another look.

   Finally a decision was made to update to SolidWorks and update our engineering documentation practices. We looked at purchasing ASME Y14.1 - Y14.5 1994 and then I read this book.

   The authors go thought the painful process of relating the document properties to the Y14 standard. This was a real time saver.

   We create 10 - 20 sheets per drawing. Who makes a drawing with just three views? The authors also provide the work arounds to create Y14 drawing views, not on the Drawing toolbar such as detailed section, half section, revolved section, removed views and secondary auxiliary.

   I actually emailed the publisher about a question on the Bill of Materials item order. The author email me back with an answer and a solution to two days. That was great.




3. This is the second book that I purchased from Planchard and Planchard. I have being looking for a book to translate the ANSI Y14 standards for SolidWorks drawings. I agree with one of the reviewers that "I always thought the ANSI setting in Document Properties was a little miss leading".

   This book saved me a great deal of time and pain. Thank you.




4. The graphics are really poor and the whole book reads like an ASME Y14 manual. The only text that is descriptive is mind numbing repetition of what the particular lesson is about. I bought the book so I could use SW more effectively and try to get away from going back and forth to ACAD all the time. It might help, but the pain really isn't necessary. A cut below what should be expected from a $50.00 book.

No comments about Differential Equations with Mathematica: Revised for Mathematica (3.0, 2nd Edition).

1 comments about Learn Programming with Flash MX.

1. I am currently working my way through this book. If you've never used flash before I would avoid this book. If you are new to programming I think you might learn a lot but I don't think there is sufficient explanation of all the coding examples for a complete beginner.
   
   Its written as though the author recorded one of his flash classes, so there's a lot of chitchat between students going on throughout the book, some not relevant to coding. This is going to be annoying to some people who want the hard facts and nothing but. Personally I think it draws the reader in more and makes it more personable, a difficult feat with a computer book about programming. Something that is useful is to see student's thought processes as they figure out how to do something in code, make mistakes and self-correct. They are the kind of mistakes that beginners will make so are very useful. Like characters in a book you can identify with the class members. Well, I like it, its a very different approach to teaching and learning a programming language but I think it could be improved to expand on the concepts it covers.

No comments about Exploring Canada - British Columbia (Exploring Canada).

5 comments about Flash Studio Secrets.

1. The best thing about this book is Chapter 2, "Optimizing, Loading, and Playback". The other books that I have read about flash don't even touch on this issue. It was worth the price of the book. Learning how to use the movie report option in flash, and how to properly bring in images for use from Illustrator has DRASTICALLY reduced my file sizes. My bitmap files look 20 times better, and are WAAAAaY smaller.

   The animation chapter was also good. That chapter also had cool optimization techniques, like the modify>optimize pallate that I had never used before. Using it on all my drawn symbols reduced my file size by about 30 percent, and the drawings didn't look any different.

   This book has a lot of information in it, I think it definately has something for everyone, especially if you are new to flash. I think this book gave me the basics on just about everything. It was a decent read,and the book is really nice to look at with TONS of color pictures, and I like that Smashing Ideas Robot Guy.

   The Sound chapter is also really good, especially for non-sound people like myself. I picked up a lot of new techniques here that I had no clue about.

   I have definately referred to the optimization techniques in this book in every flash project I've done since. I do recommend picking up this book if only for the drastic reduction in file sizes you will experience after reading it.




2. I would have to say that there are some nice tid bits of flash wisdom spread through out this book. Not sure if that's worth the price of the book!

   Also, not really a teaching tool about flash, more of a teaching tool about how Smashing Ideas in Seattle do things!




3. Flash Studio Secrets was insightful but expensive. It's one of those books that are nice to have if you have the money, but enhances books already in your collection. It would not be useful being your only Flash book. The studio/business point of view and analysis of projects were very good, but I think the books suffers from a "Jack of all trades mentality" Then again, maybe that was their target audience for people buying the book. If you want to specialize on just web design, focus just on cartooning or focus on actionscript/gaming, buy another book. If you were looking for a good overview and another perspective to add to your library, this book would be ok.

   I found the chapter on sound and programming a good read. Unfortunately there are a few typo's which annoy and the source code promised for the chess game in chapter four is not included on their website. I emailed them for the working version of the chess game they talk about, but am yet to receive an answer. The chapters on edutainment and marketing are also an interesting read. Furthermore, there are some good tricks and ideas mentioned throughout.

   This is an intermediate book. This book will generate ideas and let you look at things regarding Flash in a different perspective. Don't buy this book if you're looking to learn how to use the program. This book will give you ideas on how to improve on what you already know and improve your workflow.




4. This book is tremendous compendium for FLASH afficionados. I already had a strong background with experience using and developing in FLASH. But to see the ideas, code and they way it was architected by Smashing Ideas and other experts is really great.

   Also, I found it very inspirational to read the thoughts of industry marvels like Jason Alan Snyder and Glenn Thomas who have been incredibly innovative with their creative use of FLASH in the areas of advertising and marketing.

   I highly reccomend this title to anyone who wants to gain additional insight from the best and brightest the industry has to offer.




5. The main strength of this book is it's broad coverage. Every possibility it's considered chapter by chapter, games, rich media, sound, object oriented programming, etc. I found extremely useful the optimizing sizes and sounds chapters, and just that it's worth the price. However, be aware this is not a "how to" book. It's intended for people with experience in Flash. If you're a beginner, you'll face a lot of technical language, specially in the action script part. The book won't give you major explanations about it, 'cause you're supposed to be experienced enough to understand what's going on.
   
   Since this book describes Flash 5 projects only, it's a bit outdated. This factor in particular dissapointed me, considering the price. Other similar books have full coverage of Flash 8 features for the same price. The irony is, if you're a rookie, this book it's not for you, and if you're and experienced user, probably you already know all the secrets included in the book.

No comments about Community Participation and Geographical Information Systems.