Customer Rating:  
Summary: Highly Recommended for beginner and intermediate AS 2.0 users.
Comment: When actionscript 3.0 (Flash CS3) came onto the scene, it caused great consternation among interactive designers who were used to working directly in the Flash IDE and coding AS 2.0 on the timeline. Almost all the new books/threads on the topic, including Moock's 'Essential 3.0', showed a bias in demonstrating AS 3.0 in the context of OOP and Flex. Granted, that is where the true power/purpose of AS 3.0 lies. BUT, this also created the sentiment in the non-developer camp that AS 3.0 is severely verbose and not as flexible and fun as AS2. This is simply not the case as AS 3.0 was created to embrace BOTH designers and developers.
I think Adobe was so preoccupied with wooing the developer crowd that it failed to reassure existing beginner/intermediate 2.0 users that 3.0 works just as well on the timeline and that you CAN still make a banner ad, personal portfolio site, microsite without building/executing your codes as Classes or authoring them in Flex/Components.
Having said that, if you are hardcore OOP developer and need to build an enterprise level web app using AS3, this book is NOT for you. In fact, you have no business using the Flash IDE or coding on the timeline.
Russell Chun takes nothing for granted and starts by giving a quick overview of the program's tools. Then you'll be taken through a series of exercises that is very easy to follow. By the end of the book, you will have learned enough to build a decent interactive web page. You will also have the foundation to move onto OOP.
I have owned a number of Russell Chun's books since MX2004 and will vouch for its effectiveness. Its generously illustrated, concise, clearly written examples will help beginners and intermediate 2.0 users EASE into 3.0.
Get this book and you'll see that AS 3.0 can be just as fun.
Customer Rating:
Summary: worthless for me
Comment: I suppose this book may be fine for anyone wanting to learn a broad overview of AS3 ("Flash" is a misnomoer; Flash is ActionScript). But for anybody like myself trying to build a website with specific components, the book is worthless. This is because the author, instead of showing the steps to create a complete component (dropdown menus that LINK; scrolling thumbnails that LINK), shows you instead how to build shells that do nothing, and says, "we'll discuss the rest in a later chapter." Then doesn't, at least not in a way directly applicable to the previous instructions. Why not just show us how to create something that actually works, all in a single lesson? Forgive me if that's too much to ask.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Reference!
Comment: Constantly refer to this book as a reference while coding. This book provides short, but well explainded "How To" on esssential Actionscript 3 coding topics. I own several Actionscript 3 books, but this is the one I refer to again and again.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you buy just one Flash CS3 book, this is the one to get
Comment: The Visual QuickPro Guide Flash CS3 Professional Advanced, the follow-up to the Flash 8 book*, is a great tool for anyone trying to make the transition from ActionScript 2 (Flash 8) to ActionScript 3 (Flash CS3). I am Flash 8 Certified, and as I make the push to re-certify for ActionScript 3, this is the book I am studying. It is more concise and compact than the Flash Bible, yet still contains the information needed to build great Flash apps and to pass the expert exam. It covers all the big differences between AS3 and AS2 in a clear, concise manner. But newbies shouldn't be put off by the title: beginner topics like 'what is a Movie Clip' and how to do timeline animation are also covered. The only complaint is the lack of a companion CD-ROM containing tutorial files. But even without a CD, this is still a fantastic resource for the Flash aficionado, professional or student. (*Anyone buying this book might also consider the Visual QuickPro guide for Flash 8, which is also excellent--and still relevant. The Flash 8 book deals with ActionScript 2, which is widely used for developing mobile / cell phone apps.)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Flash Pro Book
Comment: This is a very good book. This line of book is great for learning Flash. It's important that you get the previous book first because this one gets Advanced in a hurry. Overall, I really like it.
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