Rating: 
Summary: Erroneous code and a poor companion website
Review: I had high hopes for this book especially since Jeremy Allaire wrote the foreword. What I discovered was that I had just bought a book that is FULL of errors. I was unable to get ANY sample application to work that required actionscripting. For days I couldn't figure out what was going on until I realized that the examples are simply poorly written.Some chapters, like Chapter 9 on creating a presentation application are completely wrong. Kevin Towes wasn't able to even spellcheck his code so you find references such as - root.mymovieclip - or rtmp:\\localhost. The companion website is just as frustrating. It's difficult to figure out how to dowload sample scripts and when you do the folder structure just doesn't make sense. Even after downloading the completely rewritten version on the app in Chapter 9 it wasn't working. You will also notice that the book references version 1.0 and NOT 1.5 of FlashComm Server. The changes are minimal but some components have changed since then. The only way you find out is by trial and error. Since it's mostly error I want my money back. Don't waste yours. It's not worth it.
Rating:
Summary: yes, it's the only option, and nope, Definitely No Star !
Review: I totally agree with other people's comment about the typos, errors, rush and skip-offs in the book. these are all true. btw, if you have to buy this book (why torture yourself ?) , at least wait until all the demo files (especially chatper 16) appear on the website, and let the erratas grow a bit longer, so you can skip all the head aches we had all been through. thanks kevin, nice job. you grow me a lot, really. oh yeah, also all the never-returned emails. all possible buyers can try this first, see if you ever get *any* reply.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent resource
Review: I was a Technical Editor on this book and I have to tell you - it explains a lot about FCS quickly and concisely. The book will get you up to speed very quickly, allowing you to go on your own to create really advanced apps. Greg Burch even wrote a chapter. Several different chapters are app tutorials and will show you the power of FCS. I think this should be on everyone's shelf who plans to deploy FCS in the future. Great work Kevin!
Rating: 
Summary: Does an author have an ethical obligation to you?
Review: Initially I was excited to read this book. It is the first to appear on this new topic. The author has done a good job of presenting the information in a well organized and accessible format. Unfortunately, the text and code samples in every chapter are so riddled with errors that they are unusable in their printed form. The reader must approach every exercise with suspicion. Don't worry if you can't reproduce the expected results at first. It is not your fault. The question is: did you buy this book to practice your code editing skills or to learn from a trusted expert? If it is the latter, then this book is not for you. In my opinion, when an author writes a technical book he enters into an unspoken agreement with you, his readers, to write the best and most accurate book he can in exchange for a great deal of your time and money. I accept that some mistakes are inevitable in a highly technical book like this. But when the author knows about the book's many flaws, and I know he does, he has an ethical obligation to post corrections on his web site as soon as he becomes aware of them, regardless of the embarrassment it may cause him. Not to do so makes him the moral equivalent of a snake oil salesman and a coward. Too bad that a lack of integrity should destroy an otherwise worthy effort.
Rating:
Summary: Flash Communication Server MX
Review: Kevin Towes has done a fantastic job of educating users, who may be new to this exciting technology, and showing them how to develop Rich Internet applications using Flash Communication Server. The tutorial nature of this book allows his readers to follow along step by step and understand what is happening as the sample applications progress. This book is not just for the novice user, but also for intermediate developers. They will find an abundance of helpful information about various techniques exercised in writing Rich Internet applications for Flash Communication Server. Congratulations, Kevin!
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Introduction, Good Apps to Build From
Review: Kevin Towes' book is really the first complete text on the Flash Communication Server. It's a thorough introduction to the FCS and some of its rich power. The book begins with the basics of FCS (streams, connections, and so forth), and then moves in the second half to the building of real (and, actually, useful) applicaitons. Some of these applications are very adaptable and re-usable in client projects. The final, most advanced projects provide key insight into handling common functions that you will probably need to implement using FlashComm. Yes, there are typos in the code. Many of those typos have been corrected in downloadable versions of the source code on the book's Web site. I personally had little problem getting the applications to run (and, to be fair, some of the problems exist in Macromedia's FCS components, not in Kevin's code). The first few chapters rehash much of what is in Macromedia's own documentation, but the applications which are built, and the clear, friendly manner in which Kevin discusses the code is invaluable. You could get by with simply reading the documentation that comes with FCS and trying to work through the very simple applications that Macromedia provides with FCS, but you'll get much more professional results and create better applications by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A great introduction for developers expanding their skills.
Review: Kevin Towes' writing style provides a comfortable backdrop to introduce Flash Developers to Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX. The first person perspective allows the reader to guide him or herself easily through the "10 step process" that Kevin demonstrates when explaining how Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX works. The first three chapters discuss the architecture of Communication Server and its setup. There is an assumption that you are familiar with both Flash and some server details, but because the application itself is very user-friendly, these chapters are a relatively quick read. Chapter 4 demonstrates a simple chat application, which follows with chapter 5, monitoring the application with the the Communication Server admin tools. Again at this point, the application itself lends to an easy-walk through with the book as a guide. Chapter 6 dives straight into the code with the ActionScript Editor, UI Components and such as NetConnection. At this point I feel that some readers who are more inclined to the design side of Flash may become intimidated by the coding that takes place and its subsequent explanation. Subsequent chapters may also provide an equal challenge. Although the discussion is relatively easy to follow, and the commentary in the code is helpful, perhaps an introductory chapter to general programming concepts, and in addition, a discussion for overall strategies to develop any application could be discussed first prior to demonstration of the applications. On a positive note though, the application Kevin describes are exciting and quite relevant. Discussed in the tutorial section, the Tech Support app and Virtual Classroom app are nice examples of how Communication Server can be applied. Kevin leaves no stone unturned when he discusses the uses of this piece of software! At the end, the reference provides an invaluable repository for quickly referencing all the Communication Server objects, components, and the definitions are simple and concise. One last thing - the support website for the book, http://flashcom.pangaeanewmedia.com, is a good website to get the latest files and explore any comments and support issues you may have while going through the book. The only issue I had with it was initially identifying where to click to get the files for the chapters of the book (you may be looking for underlined text or some sort of button to click on to download the files, but it was not too obvious at first...) Overall, a good effort and I utilize it in my day-to-day teachings of Flash to my students.
Rating:
Summary: Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX
Review: Over the past three years I have been working toward a Master degree in Software engineering. I have read many books introducing me to new languages and software. I really think the authors or publishers of this book should offer people who purchased this book a refund or a voucher for a free copy of a revised edition. This book is full of errors. You will spend most of your time looking at the book's website trying to review their corrections in effort to figure out how to complete the examples in the book.
NewRider Press ="Buyer Beware"
Rating:
Summary: Understanding Flash Communication Server MX
Review: The manner in which this book is written, allows the user to gain a real insight into the features and functions of this software. Macromedia has a great product here, and with Mr. Towes clear, concise, and user-friendly approach to his book, no doubt it will only increase in popularity. Hats off to the author for the efforts he put into writing it.
Rating:
Summary: Response.
Review: This book represents Flash Communication Server MX version 1.0. Currently version 1.5 is available, with new Flash UI Components. There are significant changes to some of the ActionScript and components from version 1.0 to version 1.5. These changes may cause the code examples in the book to fail. Please review the release notes from Macromedia if you are having problems with the exercises. There are updates (errata) and free code samples on the book website: http://flashcom.pangaeanewmedia.ca. Flash Communication Server MX is a complicated product with a lot of moving parts. I strongly recommend downloading the chapter examples, and installing them on your computer as you follow through the book. Flash Communication Server MX is a powerful product, and this book will help you get the foundation you need to build incredible video conferencing, messaging and always-on applications using the Flash player.
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