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 Flash Application Design Solutions: The Flash Usability Handbook

 

Published by: FRIENDS OF ED
Author: Cheung, Ka Wai; Bryant, Craig
Number of pages: 324
Group: FLASH 8 ACTIONSCRIPT
ISBN: 1590595947/9781590595947
User level: Programmer - Int/Adv
Objective: Reference
Date Published: February 2006
 RRP £23.99 Save 34%
  Our Price £15.83

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  Book Information

Flash Application Design Solutions shows you how to harness the power of ActionScript 2.0 and make the most of the improved design tools of Flash 8 to create usable, intuitive Flash interfaces.

In this book, you'll find a number of concrete Flash usability solutions that use elements such as navigation menus, data filtering, forms, content loaders, Flash liquid layouts, help tips, and many other features. You'll learn how each of these solutions actually improves on what is possible with HTML and JavaScript. In each case, you'll see how users interact with the website feature, and how it gives users the most intuitive, enjoyable experience possible while using your application. You'll get a step-by-step analysis of how to program and build each solution, and how to make it scalable, maintainable, and reusable.

The book concludes with a case study that showcases the solutions developed in the previous chapters, all working together in a single application. This example puts all the pieces together and highlights just how, with some thought and consideration, Flash can improve usability on the Web.

This book is essential reading for all Flash designers and developers, from beginners seeking valid solutions to veteran Flashers looking for a fresh perspective on application design, interaction, and reusability.

You'll learn:




    Important Web usability theory

    How to build usable Flash applications

    Effective object-oriented programming using ActionScript

    How to use new Flash 8 features

    Object-oriented ActionScript programming




Summary of Contents:




    PART ONE: INTRODUCING FLASH USABILITY




    Chapter 1: Flash: Then, Now, Later

    Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Flash Environment





    PART TWO: THE USABILITY SOLUTIONS




    Chapter 3: A Basic Selection System

    Chapter 4: Navigation Menus

    Chapter 5: Content Loading

    Chapter 6: Inventory Views and Selection Devices

    Chapter 7: Data Filtering

    Chapter 8: Forms

    Chapter 9: State Management and Storage

    Chapter 10: Help Tips

    Chapter 11: Browser History

    Chapter 12: Liquid Layouts

    Chapter 13: Embedding Flash





    PART THREE: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER




    Chapter 14: Planning for Usability

    Chapter 15: The Usable Bookstore