Recommendation...email

Book Recommendation
does anyone have a great book for very very beginner actionscripters. I went to barnes and noble and there are about a million different books. Any help? All i know is start stop and goto stuff. Thanks

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Book Recommendation Please
I've taken a look at both of these books but am just not sure which to purchase. Im more of a learn by example kind of guy and have found the Moock book tends to be more examples etc but no tutorials not very fluid. However I've been told by several friends that the Moock book is the one to have.

Im just looking for a suggestion of which is better.

ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition -- by Colin Moock; Paperback

or

Macromedia Flash MX Designer's ActionScript Reference -- by John Davey, et al; Paperback

Or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Recommendation On Books Please
Hi,

I wanted to know if anyone out there knows of what books are good to learn from about HTML, Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX and Photoshop. Basically dealing with web design in general.

I went to the book store today but there are just to many, I dont know which one will be good or not without reading the whole thing, and as you know they can get very expensive.

If you have any recommendations, please let me know

Boom-Stick

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Recommendation On Where To Start
Hello there, im posting here becouse i just want to know on where i can learn how to use Flash MX becouse i just got the program and i really want to know how to use it and well im not new to flash i use Swish to make Flash site but i know that Flash MX has way more options to make Flash websites so i really want to learn it so i just want to know where to start where can i get good tutorial and stuff like that and well im 15 so im still going to high school so i cant go to collage to learn this stuff so i want to start from a younge age so when i go to collage to learn this stuff its easyer for me, i am even willing to pay for online classes but i dont know if i should thats why im asking from guidance from all the Flash MX Pro's here on where to start. Thanks.

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Recommendation And Trouble
Hi!
I found this wonderful tutorial
http://www.dembicki.org/path/vawes-eng.html
I recommend you!
But please, could somebody help me to do the same .fla like example #11 but vertical instead of horizontal and with no movement (only move once) and random shape? (different shape each time I enter)
thanks

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Recommendation And Trouble
Hi!
I found this wonderful tutorial
http://www.dembicki.org/path/vawes-eng.html
I recommend you!
But please, could somebody help me to do the same .fla like example #11 but vertical instead of horizontal and with no movement (only move once) and random shape? (different shape each time I enter)
thanks

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Recommendation Needed.
Hi people.

I need to make a form in my flash site. I need to use CGI Mail Form. My server host is set up to use CGI. I haven't got a clue about how to code CGI so I need to find the scrit online from somewhere. I've done a quick search and there are loads out there.

I would like to know what CGI Mail Forms you guys use. I need one that allows my visitors to send me some contact details.

Any help will be great.

Leroy

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Best Recommendation For Video
Hi,

I need to recommend a reliable solution for presenting video on a website for a non-profit. The solution needs to be "one-size-fits-most". I don't think requiring the Flash 8 plugin is an option since it is so new. According to Macromedia, Flash 6 is installed on 96% of all internet connected personal computers. So I think that even though I will be developing with the new Flash 8, I'll need to recommend a solution that is Flash 6-player friendly.

Can someone suggest a good approach for this? I think most videos will be about 3 minutes long or so with a longer one every now and then. The most important thing is that the preparation process be relatively routine for the client.

I'm new to video. Things like "H.264" and "VP5/VP6" confuse me somewhat, though I'm sure I could learn.

I guess my question are:

- what video format should we be starting with (mov, wmv, avi)?

- what type of compression should I use (sorenson H.264)?

- What software should I use to encode (or compress) my movies (squeeze, Quicktime, Linx)?

- Assuming I will be using FLVs, how do I create the FLV? In Flash?

Any suggestions or links to favorite tutorials would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
jenny

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As3 Library Recommendation
In my AS2 days I used to use casaframework.org to speed up my builds, and it to be pretty well for sure. Could anybody recommend something simular for AS3? Thanks!

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Preloader Recommendation
I have a swf with an embedded flv that it loads. When going to the web page - first you see a large black box for a few seconds; then you see the media bar at the bottom with the bar slowly moving across (if you look closely). The swf is 68k, the flv is 9.8mb. I would like for the user to never see the black box without some form of preloader symbol there. As well, once the flv starts loading, if the media control bar with its own moving progress bar could be more explicit, that would greatly help. Please advise, as simply dropping a preloader on top of the document does virtually nothing. I dropped on the simple preloader and pointed it to the swf, which I think is all I can do since the flv is embedded.

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Performance Recommendation
hi ,
can anyone tell me what is the recommended amount of application instances running on single machine (assuming each has 3 streams), and what is the recommended number of streams per application instance?

thanks,
gadi

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Can You Give Me A Recommendation?
Hey all. You know, the more I look through the Ultrashock forums, the more I love this place. A community of creative minds who share their expertise and support a positive development of the digital arts with Flash products.

If you guys have a moment, I'd like to give you my background and then ask your opinion for a book (I thought of placing this in the BOOKS forum but the desciption said it's for discussing reviews of books, so I hope I posted in the right place)

About Me: I've been messing with Flash on and off since version 3. Thanks to work, I have access to Flash MX 2004 and would REALLY like to take the opportunity to learn FMX2K4 inside and out since it has made extraordinary leaps forward (as well as its introduction of ASv2). I've classified Flash into 2 sections: Design and Development. Design entails the use of the Flash GUI in order to do things like : creating shapes, tweening, and the like. Of course, development is using the ASv2 in order to facilitate interactivity and dynamic aspects of Flash.

As with both sections, there are Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels of understanding. In the design field, I would say that I'm intermediate. I know how to create shapes, tween, use shape hints, advanced gradients and the like, but there are definitly some aspects of Flash that I would like to know that I'm not too familiar with (Optimizing imported objects, how to read the bandwidth profiler for most efficient output, understanding object linkage in the library), advanced vector draweing, etc.

As for development, I'm definitly a beginner. I don't have a problem understanding concepts, but I current know and can invoke the most basic of ASv2 like: changing instance propertys, calling static functions. There's literally a plethora of things in development that I'd like to know, a small list being: dynamically loading images/text, use of the loadMovie, better understanding of target pathing, forms & validation, etc.

So here's where I need your advice. Putting your personal preferances aside and seeing it from my point of view, what Book do you recommend me getting? If it helps, I thoroughly DISLIKE books that speak like VCR instructions; books that state a feature/how to once, and then from that point on talk to you like you've mastered that feature/aspect. I do like getting tutorial files and pictures (color or not) and I'd like the book to be thorough.

The 3 I've "looked" at so far are:

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 : Training from the Source. (This book discusses primarily how to use the Flash GUI and has a tutorial CD) $44.99

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Actionscript : Training from the Source. (This book discusses how to use ASv2 and has a tutorial CD) $44.99

Flash MX 2004 Advanced : by Peachpit Press. This book seems to take for granted that you know certain aspects for granted (many of which I did, when I skimmed through it) but teaches many "theories" on how to develop special effects and the use of the Flash GUI with some chapters devoted to certain aspects of ASv2. $29.99

That's what I've looked at so far. I heard somone recommend (Mook?)'s book, but can anyone recommend me a book that runs with the above guidelines? I know that no book will teach me everything, and I may infact need 2 books to get what I want (GUI and ASv2) I know that this community can act as an "extra" to anything the book teaches me.

I'm a visual person, and would have prefered a Flash MX 2004 training CD/DVD, but there seems to be none in production; so keep in mind that I don't like 800-1000 page "reference manuals" (Must be my attention span!) Man I better wrap this up, I just wrote a book! I look forward to getting your input.

My Rating of Skills (to help you decide on what book is best for me) (1-10 stars)

2D Art (Paintshop & Photoshop):
********
3D Art (Maya):
**
Static Web Development:
*********
Dynamic Web Development:
*******
Flash Design:
*****
Flash Development:
**
Sound Design:
**
Video Editing:
**

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Flash 5 Book Recommendation
Does anyone know of any good flash 5 books? I know there are a lot of resources here at flashkit, but sometimes when I'm away from the computer, I'd like to read a good book.

Any recommendations? I messed around a little with flash 4 a while back, not much though. I want to get back into it. I would like books that are not geared towards total beginners, but yet is still thorough and informative. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Yatingg

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Flash Training Recommendation
I just checked out the Free version of "Inside Flash MX Production Essentials" and its great. I'm a Flash newbie and this training cd-rom was the clearest training on any program I've seen. I recommend it to anyone who's just getting into working with Flash. Check it out at http://www.digitalmediatraining.com

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Recommendation 4 An Actionscript Book
Hi,
doubting between 2 books dedicated to actionscript:
ActionScript : The DefinitiveGuide by Colin Moock, Gary Grossman
or
Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting:Advanced Training from the Source
by Derek Franklin, Jobe Makar

the Moock book is for FLASH 5, wondering whether it would limit me in the use of FLASH MX?

any input would b helpful. other book recommendations r very much welcomed!

thanku!

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Looking For Skillset/program Recommendation
Hello,

I'm looking to post a job description, but I'm not quite sure what I need.

I would need someone who could build and insert wireframe buildings on top of existing fullmotion video, and build it into a web based presentation. Could Flash handle this on its own? Or would other applications be required? What skills/languages would the person need to know? What kind of questions should I be asking? What makes someone a good Flash developer?

Any help would be greatly appriciated,
thank you.

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Need Flash MX Book Recommendation
I need a good Flash MX and/or Dreamweaver MX book for creating a relatively small ( 20 - 30 items) shopping cart for a friend's website.

Thanks,

Julie

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Actionscript Book Recommendation?
I've been designing in Flash for the past couple years and consider my scripting abilities as just OK. Can anyone recommend a book that can help me along into the next generation of Flash design? I think I need to start with the fundamentals, but would like to get as advanced as possible.
Thanks! -ec

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Recommendation, The Best Way To Create Your Web Page
Currently, I have my entire page as a .html file and using javascript I have made the flash part above a background I created in photoshop.

Now is it better and faster(for the viewer) to view it this way OR have everything in flash? Wouldn't mind knowing the pros/cons to doing it this way. I have never made a preloader, so I was wondering when does a job call for one?

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Flash Software Recommendation...
I recently acquired a copy of Flash MX 2004, as an early birthday gift from my grandparents, however, my computer runs on Microsoft Window's Millenium, the only version (as far as I can see) that the program is unsupported upon (it says such on the back of the box, and when trying to install it upon my computer).
That much having been said, I am returning the program to the store, but do not want to be without a copy of Flash...so, any recommendations as to which software program I should purchase to be able to create Flash animations and the like?

PostScript:
Also, if anyone happens to know why Flash MX 2004 will run on every other Windows operating system but Millenium, could you let me know?
Or is there something I need as well to make it run? A patch of some sort, or something?

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Recommendation For Graphic Learning
Can someone recommend a good book for drawing with flash? Basic, intermediate or advanced, just want to soak it up! My interest is in illustrating automobiles.

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XML Socket Server Recommendation
I am looking to purchase a stable XML Socket Server that can run on a Windows 2003 Server. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Communication Server and Electroserve are way out of my budget.

Thanks.

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Flash Book Recommendation?
I'm interested in learning how to develop a Flash A/V Chatroom whats the best book out that goes over Flash's A/V and possibly talks about the basics of a chatroom in flash

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Wanna Switch To A Pc: Need Recommendation
As a designer I've used Apple products for a long time, but the problems I have with Flash and the Mac are too annoying. I've been away and I want to get back into developing in Flash, but not on a Mac. (I don't believe the rumors that the intel chip in the upcoming desktop might fix the usability of Flash on the mac -- that and I don't want to shell out for another machine.)

Can someone recommend a decent PC setup that will be used primarily for developing-building in Flash. My goal: designed on a mac, built on a pc.

Any other Apple fans hate using Flash on a mac?

Thanks

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Beginner In Need Of Book Recommendation
I'm a beginner to CS3 Flash and in need of book or tutorial recommendations. I have the Flash "Classroom in a Book" and it's been somewhat helpful. However, a lot of what I want to do, is import parts of a collage print from CS3 photoshop and animate them. I am having problems with importing layers from Photoshop and animating these layers in Flash. Are there any books or tutorials that go into more detail on this aspect of flash? The other book that I'm thinking about is Peachpit's Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Hands-On Training. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Lou

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External AS Editor Recommendation
Anybody out there using an external actionscript editor? I've tried SEPY, and it's okay.

BTW, I'm using a Mac.

thanks!

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Video Gallery Recommendation
I'm trying to set up a video gallery for a friend. He shoots some interesting stuff and I've already built a site in CSS, but need to contain the gallery using Flash. Can anyone point me in the direction of a gallery that displays the video, alongside a title and thumbnails and a list of other galleries? There are three galleries, each has about 5 videos, and all of the videos are the same size. I would prefer to do this with just CSS and PHP, but I have no knowledge of PHP so it would be better in Flash. Thanks for any advice or direction.

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Page Flip Recommendation
I know of a good Flash/Actionscript page-flip program. I am not affiliated in any way with these people. I'm just satisfied with their product and their service, and wanted to share.

It's at http://page-flip.com/. The product worked as promised, and when I needed some minor tweaking to the program to suit the needs of the company I work for, they were very responsive.

That's about it. I'm getting nothing from these people. As I said, my only purpose is to let others know about a program and company that worked well for me.

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Need Actionscript Book Recommendation
looking for a good flash MX actionscript book

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Need Recommendation For Flash Book
I am kind of new flash and i am looking for some intermediate /advance book for flash 5 or the latest the MX version.
Thanks,
Juruk

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ActionScript Book Recommendation
Can anyone recommend an ActionScript book?

I've been reading Flash MX ActionScript for Designers, but the author gives generic examples.  I learn better when there are examples that require to open a flash file and make step-by-step changes.  

Some of the features I need to learn are:
Creating roll over effects on buttons
Learn how to make a Load Page
Create a basic forms page

Thanks!

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Actionscript Book For Dummies...recommendation
Can anyone help suggest a really good book on actionscripting that will discusss targets, layers, preloading, functions, etc.


Thanks,
Andrea

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Recommendation On Showing MPEGs In Flash
I'm creating a site for a wedding videographer and we want to allow viewers to see four different samples of video he's shot. Would it be recommended that I have a link to Quicktime to show the movies? What would you do?

Thanks!
Furpants

By the way...Flashkit is amazing. I love the community that it provides.

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Need Good Flash MX Book Recommendation
Can anyone recommend a good Flash MX book? Specifically, I'm looking for a book that can help me learn how to use the new MX Components. The online help is falling short and with so many books out there, I was hoping one of you would have a recommendation.

Thanks.

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Noob HelpA Recommendation On Tablets?
Can someone help me?I would like to get a tablet in order to do some animation.But,are talets the way to go?If so, which one is recommended? I have Flash 4.Still.

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Book Recommendation For Complicated Project
Hello everyone,

I have a complicated project to work on that will require a lot of actionscript learning. It is an "interactive pole designer".

In this interactive pole designer, the user will be choosing different options for a fancy outdoor light pole, such as aluminum, steel, standard, decorative, etc. Also, for the base of the pole, they will be clicking a button for different bases, which will be different sizes. When the size changes, the base will have to morph, or scale to the new size. So this project will involve scaling of vector objects on the fly.

Could anyone recommend me to a good book where I can learn math/control type actionscripting? I looked on amazon, but was overwhelmed with the amount of book choices, so I thought maybe someone could give me a recommendation? I use flash MX

Thank you

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Button Rollove Script Recommendation
I want to be able to detect if a button is being hovered over or not, and then swap the image accordingly. I know how this is done in Javascript. But since Flash takes care of its own roll over states, I've never had to do this before. Can anyone help me out?

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Flash Templates Recommendation Wanted Please
Hello

Looking to put a site up for my financial services company, and would like to have Flash content.

Ideally my site will maintain a "corporate look" but still have some "coolness" (such a word?) and not put people to sleep like alot of financial services/retirement planning sites that are out there....

I would like to use a template, since I spend more time watching the market than designing sites....

Can anyone recommend a website with an extensive Flash template collection?

Thanks!

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Recommendation For BEST Downloading Time For Video
Hello!

I would like to know what your recommendation is to show a 2 minute Quicktime video at its BEST quality but FASTEST download.

FLV? SWF? good server? what factors are involved in this?

Thanks! I reeeeeeally appreciate this wonderful board.
Furpants

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Reading Variables From File Recommendation Please
I am creating a desktop application which requests users to login with an ID number. Based on their entered ID number, I want to call them by name.

I have text file with all individuals' ID, FirstName and LastName.

I'm spinning my wheels on determining the best (and least complicated) solution - whether to use XML or LoadVariables.

I'm fairly new to Flash but understand how to manipulate ActionScript a bit AND learn very well from examples.

My question is which direction would you suggest and, can you point my nose to a tutorial?

Many thanks!
JLynn

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Good Flash Book Recommendation?
I know the very basics of flash, but wanna book to read to show me the ropes.
Any recommendations?
Cheers!

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Flash Web Design Book Recommendation?
merry christmas & happy hanukkah all -

i was wondering if someone could please recommend a great book (or plural) that covers all of the basics of designing a website in flash.  up 'til now i've been making pages in flash & placing them in dreamweaver, but it's overly time consuming and i'm not getting the results that i'd like.  any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks & have a wonderful holiday and new year.

kevo

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Flash Friendly PHP CMS Solution Recommendation
Looking for suggestions for CMS solution that is relatively easy to extend in terms of driving flash content alongside the usual html content. What are people using?

thanks for input!

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Getting Into 3D For My Flash Sites. Whats Your Recommendation?
I have seen developers create 3D stuff on Flash using actionscript but the way they have built it is just too complex. I would love to be able to do 3D stuff without having to get too advanced with the scripting.

I have thought about using a 3D application to create my 3D stuff and import it into Flash. What is the current industry standard and simple to use 3D application that you would recommend?

If there was an add on like MC tween in Flash that could do 3D stuff in a simple manner, I'd try to do it with Flash.

What do you recommend I should do?

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Software Recommendation For Basic Flash Design?
Hi,

I'm fairly proficient in Photoshop/Illustrator CS2 & have some background in web development.

I have a need to frequently update an SWF file that consists of font laid over photographs, each one linked, as part of a slow transitioning slide show on a website.

I don't anticipate having a need for advanced animation with vector art.

I'm looking for a flash editor/creator software with the fastest learning curve based upon the knowledge & compatibility with CS2. Second priority would be budget... but I'd sooner spend the money on a product that gets me up to speed faster, so ease of use is the priority.

Recommendations?

Thanks!

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Recommendation For A Script That Shows Off Portfolio Of Videographer
I'm looking for a relatively easy to install flash script that would allow me to upload a few videos (quicktime) . It's for a client that is a videographer and we want to show off his video production portfolio. Ideally, I would like something where user clicks on 1 link, and the video plays. Click on another link, another video plays, etc...

My budget is limited to about $200 that I can spend on the script itself or find someone to install it for me.

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[F8] Flash 8 - Email Form: How To Get Users Specified Email In From Portion Of Email
Hey guys,

I want to add a newsletter to my new website that people can add their email addresses to. First off, I would like to have a field that the user can type his email address in, and have that field check if the email is valid (ie make sure that there is an @something.something).

Next, I would like it to send an email to my email address, with their email address in the from portion of the email (basically as if they have emailed me directly from their email). This way, it will be very easy for me to add them to my mailing list.

Thanks a ton for any help... Ive been searching for a while on how to do this, but couldn't find a way to put the users email in the from portion of the email.

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Recommendation For Good Action Script Book/tutorial?
Hi, all! Need your collective input to point me in the right direction...

I learned Flash in a 6 week college class, which was just enough time to understand the basics of animation, but not enough time to get into scripting. We focused more on the artistic aspect and less on the interactive. I know how to use most of the mundane commands, such as 'go to', 'stop', 'play', 'if frame loaded', 'tell target' and mouse button actions. But beyond that, I really don't understand the nature of action scripting (variables, parameters, etc...).

What I need is a very basic book or series of friendly tutorials on scripting that describes these concepts from scratch, as I have no programming background. Not just simply how to do this or that, but to really make me understand how to think about and approach scripting. Otherwise, I'm just going by rote. I really want to understand how to script for myself so I don't have to rely so much on others.

Can you guys recommend a resource that will really teach me about scripting? There's tons of books out on the market for Flash, and hundreds of tutorials, I'm sure even on this site. But please look at it from a newbie point of view; can you point me to some good down-to-earth info?

Thanx!
Boomph

(PS-or if some nice flash person has the time and wants to take me under their wing at least until I get the hang of it, that would be most appreciated, as I kind of wish that had a scripting mentor to directly ask questions. I am a very good professional Flash animator {clients include major TV and film studios} and perhaps we can trade skills...)

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Email Forms That Send Email To Other Email Addresses
hello, well, I'm not sure who to ask about this problem. The thing is I really want to make an email form that can send email to other people. I have seen email feedback forms here that send email to my address but I would really appreciate it if someone could help me make one that sends email to other addresses. I have made an email feedback form already and its at http://www.jeviwebs.com/beatles/mail.swf if you want to view it. If any of you know of any tips, please email me or respond to my post here thanks! BTW, that feedback form was based on matthew summers tutorials here

it is in the send button where I have the problem

here is the action script for the action layer:

recipient = "";
targetpage = "http://www.jeviwebs.com/beatles/ecard.htm";
stop();

this works ok since you will specify the email address of the person to send email to (thus the blank recipient variable) but here is the main problem...the actionscript for the send button....since I want to send emails to other people, I can't use my cgi bin for that.

on (release) {
getURL("http://myaddress.com/cgi-sys/mailform.cgi", "lower", "POST");
}
on (release) {
gotoAndPlay(2);
}


I know that there is a way through this...I can change and do actionscript if someone can help me out...thanks you guys

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