Macromedia Flash MX 2004 A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve seen those glamorous sites featuring Flash and want some of that magic for your own outpost on the Web, this book is worth considering.

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 A Beginner’s Guide assumes you know very little about how Flash works, and starts at the very beginning with a chapter on understanding the software. However, even this section has a hands-on component, ending with a project to create a simple animation.

This method — with each module covering critical skills areas, a project and a small test to check you’ve come to grips with the topic — makes for a straightforward, approachable way of learning a new program. The author even says that although the modules are meant to be followed in succession, each one is stand-alone, so you can jump around if you wish.

It’s certainly refreshing to see a title aimed at newbies that doesn’t talk down to readers and gives enough detail to get you moving on a topic.