Learning Flash 4

What to increase the "gee whiz" quotient of your website? Usually, that means either a) filling your pages with annoying animated gifs or dreck-like midi files or b) considering bandwidth-hogging technology that not only burdens your server, but also loads excruciatingly slow for your audience. Other options include software like Macromedia Flash, which gives web authors the tools to create elegant (and dare I say) high-concept animated and interactive content for the web that doesn't severely tax download performance. This three-video set delves deeply into the features of the software, showing the viewer how to build beautiful and complex animations from simple elements. Hosts Lynda Weinman and David Baldeschwieler (who was a member of the software development team) spare no steps in presenting the many features of the program from working with shapes and color to designing interactive buttons and pop-out menus, and the set comes with a helpful card indexing the scenes for easy reference. The only flaw came in the order of the information: it would have been helpful to have a brief shot of what the finished product looks like prior to the step-by-step of each process. Although you can use Flash to pummel your audience with information overload, the strength of the package lies in its capabilities of truly setting your site apart from the crowd. This comprehensive guide will be welcomed by web authors at all levels. Also available: Learning Fireworks 2 and Learning Dreamweaver 2.0. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Block)