Review of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Bible (Paperback)

The small non-profit company I work for needed a website, and I drew the short straw for designing and maintaining it.We bought the Studio MX suite, and I hoped this book would cover everything I needed to design a simple, yet cool website.

The thing is it DOES cover EVERYTHING I needed, but it is SO overwhelming in all the details, I was pulling my hair out and wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

You really have have some experience with website design before attempting this book.I had no idea what to do, and couldn't filter out what applied to me and what didn't; I needed a little more hand-holding than this book offered.Now that I've been through the H.O.T. and Naked series of help books (which others complain of being too basic), I'm much more comfortable with this book.I'll definitely be using it as a reference as I add dynamic content to the simple website I've built.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource for intermediate or advanced users.Beginners should shop around for other books before buying this one.

Product Description
Packed with hands-on instruction, and expert tutorials from the crème de la crème of the Macromedia development community, Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Bible is everything web developers need to build cutting-edge applications with Macromedia's product line. Covering of all the Studio MX 2004 applications - Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, ColdFusion 6.1, and FreeHand MX, Macromedia web development expert Joyce Evans guides readers through the use of each product, but more importantly, how they can be used together to build next-generation, data-driven web applications. Topics covered include:

• Building data-enabled sites with Dreamweaver 2004
• Creating Flash MX 2004 animations
• Working with ActionScript
• Creating web graphics and animations with Fireworks MX 2004
• Building interactive ColdFusion Applications
• Integrating Flash and ColdFusion
• Drawing vector art with Freehand MX

The Companion CD-Rom incl udes trial versions of the software as well as extensions, sample databases, images and applications.

From the Back Cover
"Joyce Evans' ability to teach readers how to use the tools in Studio MX 2004 together, as an end-to-end solution for building great sites, makes this book a must-have for every Web developer using Macromedia tools."
--;Andrew Spedzia, Web Developer, arttask.com

If Macromedia Studio MX 2004 can do it, you can do it too...

Macromedia Studio MX 2004 offers a revolutionary set of integrated tools for Web developers. This book gives you control of its power. You'll benefit from the expertise of volunteers, beta testers, and advisory board members who share the inside track on Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, FreeHand MX, and ColdFusion MX 6.1 versions. Whether you're building your first Web site or seeking advanced guidance on the newest tools, you'll find the information, instructions, and tutorials that let you create cutting-edge sites.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Macromedia Studio MX 2004

• Learn to use the Studio MX 2004 tools together to create dynamic sites
• Add ColdFusion MX 6.1 capabilities from within Dreamweaver MX 2004--;without writing a single line of code
• Develop superb animations with the new Flash MX 2004 capabilities
• Design Web pages with Dreamweaver MX 2004 using tables or CSS style sheets, pop-up menus, and third-party extensions
• Learn to optimize images in Fireworks for smaller file sizes, then slice and export them as a fully functioning Web page

Bonus CD-ROM

• Demo versions of Image Doctor, Wild Flix Pro, and Xenofex 2
• Trial versions of Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, and ColdFusion Server MX
• Bonus chapters, tutorials, code listings, and more

Click Here to see more reviews about: Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Bible (Paperback)

Review of Microsoft Office 2000 Complete (Mass Market Paperback)

This well-written, well-organised book has a superb step-by-step way of imparting knowledge. Everything about it is simple and straightforward. Both the authors and the publisher should be commended. They did a wonderful job. Not to mention the give-away price! Well, the only flaw I noticed is its title. Yes, its name! The book is not "complete" in the real sense of the word. PhotoDraw is missing. But that's the only fault.
I will recommend it to any Office 2000 beginner; or to any intermediate user that has no business with the graphics hassles of PhotoDraw.

Product Description
The best Office value ever! 1000 pages of valuable knowledge for only $19.99. This book is perfect for price-sensitive novice users. Containing vital chapters from many Sybex bestsellers, Office 98 Complete covers every area of importance for all Office users, including topics that go beyond the Office product: full coverage of Office 2000 essential features, Internet browsers and e-mail functionality, Web site planning and creation, Windows 98 tips and procedures, critical PC upgrading and maintenance information, and much more!

From the Back Cover
Microsoft Office 2000 Complete is a one-of-a-kind computer book -- valuable both for its broad content and its low price. This book contains the essentials you need to know to use the different programs and features included with Office 2000.

With Microsoft Office 2000 Complete, you'll quickly take advantage of all that Office 2000 has to offer. Get up to speed with the Office staples Word, Excel, and Access, then move on to organizing your calendar and address book with Outlook, creating stylish documents with Publisher, and constructing dazzling presentations with PowerPoint. Browse the Internet with Internet Explorer, and learn HTML basics and create Web Pages. Two handy reference guides are included: the Windows 98 Command and Feature Reference and a guide to installing Office 2000.

Microsoft Office 2000 Complete introduces you to the work of some of Sybex's finest authors, so you'll know where to go to learn even more about what's possible with the programs in the Office 2000 suite.

Word 2000
Creating, formatting, and printing Word documents
Adding shapes and clip art

Excel 2000
Entering and editing data
Writing custom formulas

PowerPoint 2000
Creating quick and easy presentations
Entering, editing, and enhancing text and graphics

Access 2000
Planning and building a database
Constructing tables and defining relationships

Outlook 2000
Organizing your schedule and planning meetings
Managing contacts and sending e-mail

Publisher 2000
Creating impressive publications
Working with graphic objects

Exploring the Internet
Connecting to the Internet
Learning Internet basics

Introduction to Web Publishing
Creating and formatting your Web pages
Learning HTML basics

Handy Reference Guides
Windows 98 Command and Feature Reference
Installing Office 2000

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Office 2000 Complete (Mass Market Paperback)

Review of Inside Flash (With CD-ROM) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Inside Flash is a wonderful book! I am amazed at how thorough it is, while being friendly and easy to understand. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who is new to Flash, but is also complete enough to be a valuable resource to experienced Flash users.

The author understands which aspects of Flash web designers need to know, and has done an excellent job of teaching those aspects. I've read a number of Flash books, and some explain various features of Flash, but leave the reader wondering how to use those features in real life web design. This book is a real world book. Each chapter teaches excellent techniques that can be used right away. It teaches basic techniques, but also teaches many exciting, advanced techniques.

Without listing the entire table of contents, some of the best sections include: Text Effects, Transitions, Character Animation, Sound, Menu Systems, Interface Techniques (drag and drop, custom cursors, sliders, scrolling text window, etc.), Web based learning applications and XML. And it teaches all of these in an enjoyable, easy to understand manner.

I am glad to have this book on my shelf. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn Flash or needs to advance his or her current Flash skills. To the author I say "Well done!"

Product Description

Inside Flash 5 is hands-on, tutorial-based instruction on how to use Flash that goes several steps further than perceived competitors and provides more advanced-level instruction, including a quarter of the book on ActionScript. Inside Flash 5 shows the program's functionality from a practical, project-based, best-practices approach; the book teaches how to get results using the tool, rather than simply reviewing the functionality of each button on the interface. Chapters begin with preview goals, feature complete and practical projects that are designed to further the skill-sets of working professionals and serious students, utilize sidebar information sections that add context to the general discussion, and finish with review material that helps many readers buttress what they've just learned.

From the Publisher
The first comprehensive Flash book that recognizes this one true thing: There exists a core of knowledge that everyone-Flash designers AND Flash developers-needs to know.

What's the difference between a programmer and a creative? With Flash, that's a damn good question...

It's a unique book. A unique approach. To a unique technology. Coders and creatives both drawn equally to this thing called Flash. Each riffing in different directions off the same tool.

Inside Flash is aimed at two very different audiences: artists and programmers. We know we can't turn the artists into hard-core programmers or the programmers into gifted artists, but if both groups use this book, we definitely can bring about a meeting of the minds. The more each group understands how the other thinks, the better chance each has of leveraging the true power of Flash 5. Development in Flash has truly become a collaborative effort; Inside Flash recognizes that fact, and the authors--a uniquely talented combination of designers and developers, all dancing in the trenches every day--do a tremendous job of reflecting where Flash development is headed, rather than where it's been...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Inside Flash (With CD-ROM) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Review of Microsoft Office 2000 Technical Support Training Kit [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Microsoft is famous for having the most popular operating system in the world and rightly so. They are also the leading manufacturer of application suite software with Microsoft Office 2000. Now Microsoft Press gives you the ability to pass exam 70-090 with this training kit.

This combinationbook and cd-rom is simply one of the best study guides for Office 2000going today. The complete and detail book, which is also on the cd rom,gives the information you need in order to support Office 2000 and also topass the exam and obtain your MCP.

You find information on planning yourdeployment and upgrading software, customizing Office 2000, setting up andmaintaining Web Server services, increasing productivity and alsoinformation on the applications as well.

Like other Microsoft TrainingKits, this is certainly a winner. Whether you are the Application supporttechnician or the Network Manager there is something in this kit for you.Why spend thousands of dollars on formalized training when ............ you can have all the information at your fingertips.

Product Description
The OFFICE 2000 TECHNICAL SUPPORT TRAINING KIT addresses the objectives for a new MCP exam, Exam 70-090: Implementing and Supporting Office 2000 on Windows NT(r) 4.0.The Kit covers the installation, deployment, and collaboration support of the various Office applications, as well as upgrading, web support, supporting remote users, and customizing Help. The OFFICE 2000 TECHNICAL SUPPORT TRAINING KIT is designed both to train professionals in the skills they need to do their job and to assist them in passing the exam.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Office 2000 Technical Support Training Kit [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)