Comments on: Flash Tutorials for the Complete Beginner http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/ Notes from the classroom and observations about today's practice of journalism online Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:04:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1036 Mindy McAdams Tue, 01 May 2007 15:49:01 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1036 I did not do a big investigation into which screen capture program works best. I tried Snapz Pro and it did what I wanted -- especially the compression, which I think is darned good.<br/><br/>As for FREE text/HTML editors: I recommend <a HREF="http://www.crimsoneditor.com/" REL="nofollow">Crimson Editor</a> (Windows) or <a HREF="http://www.barebones.com/products/textwrangler/" REL="nofollow">TextWrangler</a> (Mac). I did not do a big investigation into which screen capture program works best. I tried Snapz Pro and it did what I wanted — especially the compression, which I think is darned good.

As for FREE text/HTML editors: I recommend Crimson Editor (Windows) or TextWrangler (Mac).

]]> By: Murley http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1035 Murley Tue, 01 May 2007 14:07:06 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1035 Re: costs and code editors - I would note that Panic just came out with a program called Coda that costs $79 and supposedly does quite a bit to make all of the parts of web design fit into one window. I'm on a 14-day trial right now and it's impressive. Certainly not the WYSIWYG of Dreamweaver, but lots of power from what I can tell. There are others as well - WebDesign, BBEdit, etc. that don't cost hundreds.<br/><br/>And thanks for the tutorials, Mindy. SnapzPro has always worked for me, although I know there are a couple of other screencap programs available as well. Re: costs and code editors - I would note that Panic just came out with a program called Coda that costs $79 and supposedly does quite a bit to make all of the parts of web design fit into one window. I’m on a 14-day trial right now and it’s impressive. Certainly not the WYSIWYG of Dreamweaver, but lots of power from what I can tell. There are others as well - WebDesign, BBEdit, etc. that don’t cost hundreds.

And thanks for the tutorials, Mindy. SnapzPro has always worked for me, although I know there are a couple of other screencap programs available as well.

]]> By: bdure http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1034 bdure Tue, 01 May 2007 13:52:09 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1034 Mindy -- I've worked with people who have trouble with the concept of "closing" a tag and worked for companies that won't shell out a couple hundred bucks for a program that saves hundreds of hours of labor. (Part of the problem is the mathematical/logical world -- on more than one occasion, I've found myself explaining to a fellow journalist that 3/12 is a quarter.)<br/><br/>So sure, I'd agree in principle, but I was just adjusting for grim reality! Mindy — I’ve worked with people who have trouble with the concept of “closing” a tag and worked for companies that won’t shell out a couple hundred bucks for a program that saves hundreds of hours of labor. (Part of the problem is the mathematical/logical world — on more than one occasion, I’ve found myself explaining to a fellow journalist that 3/12 is a quarter.)

So sure, I’d agree in principle, but I was just adjusting for grim reality!

]]> By: dsato http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1033 dsato Tue, 01 May 2007 03:23:55 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1033 Thank you very much for the tutorials! I've already emailed or showed my fellow students as I know that so many of them were dying to learn Flash, but felt intimidated by the program. <br/><br/>Thank you again! Thank you very much for the tutorials! I’ve already emailed or showed my fellow students as I know that so many of them were dying to learn Flash, but felt intimidated by the program.

Thank you again!

]]> By: Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1032 Mindy McAdams Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:47:13 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1032 P.S. Beau, XHTML is not one bit "complicated." An 8-year-old could learn it in two days, tops. And you CAN write it in Notepad. Although who would want to? Geez, get a real script editor!<br/><br/>CSS is a little harder to master, particular if you have never studied page or document design. But you can write it in Notepad too. P.S. Beau, XHTML is not one bit “complicated.” An 8-year-old could learn it in two days, tops. And you CAN write it in Notepad. Although who would want to? Geez, get a real script editor!

CSS is a little harder to master, particular if you have never studied page or document design. But you can write it in Notepad too.

]]> By: Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1031 Mindy McAdams Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:43:45 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1031 I think an online designer should know XHTML and CSS and XML and JavaScript.<br/><br/>I think at least one person in any online news department should be highly competent with Flash. (Preferrably expert, but highly competent will suffice.)<br/><br/>Flash is perfect for certain kinds of presentations. In some cases, in my opinion, there is no contest: Flash is best.<br/><br/>That said -- in many cases, all you need is code: XHTML and CSS and XML and JavaScript. And your back-end database. And PHP or whatever you hook them together with.<br/><br/>I think the most dangerous thing you can have is a person who ONLY knows Flash and does not know the rest. Why? Because to a man whose only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I think an online designer should know XHTML and CSS and XML and JavaScript.

I think at least one person in any online news department should be highly competent with Flash. (Preferrably expert, but highly competent will suffice.)

Flash is perfect for certain kinds of presentations. In some cases, in my opinion, there is no contest: Flash is best.

That said — in many cases, all you need is code: XHTML and CSS and XML and JavaScript. And your back-end database. And PHP or whatever you hook them together with.

I think the most dangerous thing you can have is a person who ONLY knows Flash and does not know the rest. Why? Because to a man whose only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

]]> By: bdure http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1030 bdure Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:09:03 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1030 So here's a question --<br/><br/>As HTML becomes more dynamic with XHTML and Ajax, is THAT the more valuable skill?<br/><br/>I'm going to argue that it is, for these reasons, but I'm admittedly teetering on the edge of my techie knowledge here (Lesson #7 of my ASP class tonight -- I can do it!):<br/><br/>1. XHTML might be easier to run through an RSS feed and publish to wireless platforms.<br/><br/>2. Some readers don't trust plug-ins.<br/><br/>3. Theoretically, XHTML is more accessible to those of us who want to do Web and wireless content. (That's iffy, I know -- XHTML is probably too complicated for the typical producer to do in Notepad, and Visual Studio is even more expensive than Flash.)<br/><br/>4. Flash content tends to be a little "flashier" than necessary.<br/><br/>5. Readers can more easily customize the content on an XHTML page.<br/><br/>6. Simply put -- XHTML is more broadly applicable.<br/><br/>Any thoughts? So here’s a question –

As HTML becomes more dynamic with XHTML and Ajax, is THAT the more valuable skill?

I’m going to argue that it is, for these reasons, but I’m admittedly teetering on the edge of my techie knowledge here (Lesson #7 of my ASP class tonight — I can do it!):

1. XHTML might be easier to run through an RSS feed and publish to wireless platforms.

2. Some readers don’t trust plug-ins.

3. Theoretically, XHTML is more accessible to those of us who want to do Web and wireless content. (That’s iffy, I know — XHTML is probably too complicated for the typical producer to do in Notepad, and Visual Studio is even more expensive than Flash.)

4. Flash content tends to be a little “flashier” than necessary.

5. Readers can more easily customize the content on an XHTML page.

6. Simply put — XHTML is more broadly applicable.

Any thoughts?

]]> By: Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1029 Mindy McAdams Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:21:58 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1029 Thanks for the comments, guys! I made the tutorials with <a HREF="http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/" REL="nofollow">Snapz Pro</a>, a Mac-only application. I got interested in it because it is the one that Koci (MultimediaShooter.com) uses for his tutorials. I used up the 30-day trial getting it to work the way I wanted it to work, and then I decided to go ahead and buy it.<br/><br/>As for Mac vs. Windows, well, here's the story: I have not used a Mac at all since 1997 or 1998. So, basically, 10 years of Windows only. This is mostly because of my workplace. Then the MacBooks came out. And I needed to replace my old laptop (a Sony Vaio, my third one). And then the Vista announcements.<br/><br/>And I thought: I'm sick and tired of this whole Microsoft Windows DLL intrusive invasive thing going on in my daily work-life. Sick of it!<br/><br/>So now I have a 15-inch MacBook Pro, and I am slowly (very slowly) moving everything to it. I will eventually replace my home and office desktops. And no, I do not run dual-boot. There is no Windows on my MacBook, nor will there be. Thanks for the comments, guys! I made the tutorials with Snapz Pro, a Mac-only application. I got interested in it because it is the one that Koci (MultimediaShooter.com) uses for his tutorials. I used up the 30-day trial getting it to work the way I wanted it to work, and then I decided to go ahead and buy it.

As for Mac vs. Windows, well, here’s the story: I have not used a Mac at all since 1997 or 1998. So, basically, 10 years of Windows only. This is mostly because of my workplace. Then the MacBooks came out. And I needed to replace my old laptop (a Sony Vaio, my third one). And then the Vista announcements.

And I thought: I’m sick and tired of this whole Microsoft Windows DLL intrusive invasive thing going on in my daily work-life. Sick of it!

So now I have a 15-inch MacBook Pro, and I am slowly (very slowly) moving everything to it. I will eventually replace my home and office desktops. And no, I do not run dual-boot. There is no Windows on my MacBook, nor will there be.

]]> By: Andy http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1028 Andy Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:42:10 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1028 It's the voice of Mindy! <br/><br/>Great tutorials Mindy. Thanks for these. <br/><br/>Mac: No Captivate for the mac unfortunately. Don't know what Mindy used but I use Snapz Pro x It’s the voice of Mindy!

Great tutorials Mindy. Thanks for these.

Mac: No Captivate for the mac unfortunately. Don’t know what Mindy used but I use Snapz Pro x

]]> By: Mac Slocum http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1027 Mac Slocum Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:55:15 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/flash-tutorials-for-the-complete-beginner/#comment-1027 Out of curiosity, what program did you use for this? Is it Captivate? Out of curiosity, what program did you use for this? Is it Captivate?

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