Macromedia Flash 5 is based on the original training curriculum by Macromedia. It is more than simple documentation on how to use the Flash 5 software; it is step-by-step working lessons on how to build a complete Web site from start to finish. The book uses a Web site called Neptune Resorts as its model and you build this Web site from the ground up using Lessons 1-12. Neptune Resorts has plenty of interactivity and is graphically rich, using all the capabilities and tools of the Flash 5 software.

You will need the Flash 5 software installed on your computer to complete the lessons. The book comes with a CD—nicely tucked into the back inside cover—that you use to gather images and scripts to build Neptune Resorts. The CD also has a trial version of Flash 5 that you can install on your system. You can also use the CD to look at the developing stages of the site, and also see the finished product at any time. These materials are clearly arranged in assets folders Lessons 1-12, so that you are using only one folder at a time while going through the book.

You start Lesson 1 by drawing simple lines and circles, in order to get accustomed to the Flash 5 tools and options. This is about as easy as it gets, as the Flash 5 platform is not straightforward and intuitive, and is one of the most difficult programs I've attempted to learn.

The Flash format is based on using vector graphics, as apposed to raster (also called bitmaps), to create high performance interactive images. In order to get this performance and the especially small file sizes that result, you need to go though several extra, more complicated steps for each layer of image or text that you want in your Flash movie (the name given to the final product).

Flash Basics Overview
Flash movies are graphics and animation for Web sites. They consist primarily of vector graphics, but they can also contain imported bitmap graphics and sounds. Flash movies can incorporate interactivity to permit input from viewers, and you can create nonlinear movies that can interact with other Web applications. Web designers use Flash to create navigation controls, animated logos, long-form animations with synchronized sound, and even complete, sensory-rich Web sites. Flash movies are compact, vector graphics, so they download rapidly and scale to the viewer's screen size.

You've probably watched and interacted with Flash movies on many Web sites, including Disney, The Simpsons, and Coca-Cola. Millions of Web users have received the Flash Player with their computers, browsers, or system software; others have downloaded it from the Macromedia Web site. The Flash Player resides on the local computer, where it plays back movies in browsers or as stand-alone applications. Viewing a Flash movie on the Flash Player is similar to viewing videotape on a VCR—the Flash Player is the device used to display the movies you create in the Flash authoring application.

Vector Graphic	Bitmap Graphic

In reading Flash 5 and using the Flash 5 software, you will be learning to use these standard features (there are many more features to learn, but these are the essential ones):

• Change Flash movie properties
• Import, create, and modify media that appear in your movie
• Add sound to a button
• Use the stage and timeline to assemble the movie
• Create motion-tweening and shape-tweening animations
• Use actions to add interactivity and streamline authoring
• Test the movie for download performance
• Publish the movie for Web playback

The toolboxes in Flash 5 are similar to what you find in well-known graphics editors like Adobe PhotoShop and Adobe ImageReady. One toolbox that is unusual and used often in developing Flash movies is the Timeline. This is where the real action and uniqueness of the Flash platform exists. You will be using Layers, as you do in standard graphic programs, but in Flash 5 you will be adding actions and sound to those Layers.

I still find this a difficult toolbox to understand, let alone get the most value from, but don't let that hang you up. The book carefully guides you through this and the other tools in detail and you will accomplish the task, even if you don't fully understand it. You will use this Timeline tool throughout Lessons 1-12.

Once you have finished the Neptune Resorts movie (actually a Web site) you will need to export it, in order for a Web browser to read this format. The working Flash files use the .fla extension. When you export your movie (create the final product), Flash will save your movie in a new file with the extension .swf. You will then have to add HTML tags to your test Web page to view your new Flash movie in a Web browser.

There are many parameters and scripts that you can add to your HTML page to get the best effects for your movie. The book gives you tools to create these HTML tags and scripts and explains how to insert them into your page. You may just want to use <EMBED src="Movie.swf" LOOP="false" WIDTH ="400" HEIGHT="225"><NOEMBED>Get Flash !</NOEMBED></EMBED> to get started and to quickly see your new work.

Macromedia Flash 5: Training From the Source was exactly what I was looking for to improve and expand on my developing Web skills. Although I found myself going over the same readings several times in order to understand the principles of Flash technology, it was an easy read. There is just so much to learn, and it is so new and different from programs I have used in the past that makes Flash 5 a challenge you may not accomplish in a day.

Macromedia Flash 5: Training from the Source
by Chrissy Rey
Peachpit Press, 2001
336 pages, $44.99, with CD
ISBN: 0201729318

Malicious Mobile Code: Virus Protection for Windows
Review by Phil Mosier

This book gives a deep and thorough coverage of Windows security threats and defense strategies. As the name implies, it focuses on the Windows environment and code that attacks computers running under Windows. It is not about host-side attacks nor non-Windows systems. It does not talk about Unix, Linux, Mac's nor Windows NT security issues.

It starts out describing DOS-based viruses, then Windows. Grimes always gives a complete description of the problem, then explains how to stop it with a detailed and orderly step-by-step set of instructions. Each new tool created by the hackers to interfere with your computing is matched with a new procedure to protect your data and neutralize the attack. Each attack, like a fencing match, has been analyzed and an appropriate response has been devised and delivered. They thrust, you must parry.

There is a list of things that you must do to be protected from "Malicious Mobile Code" (MMC), but you still need to purchase and use anti-virus software. The steps that you must take to protect your computer and to naturalize a threat are all laid out here and one of those steps is to use a virus protection program. Mr. Grimes leans toward Norton anti-virus products and describes specific features to support his preference.

There are some samples of MMC but the samples are not usable. This is not a "How to Write a Virus" book, though it warns us that there are many resources for those who have been drawn into the activity of writing MMC.

Macro viruses, trojans, and worms are all discussed, as are Internet browser attacks, malicious Java applets, malicious ActiveX controls, and e-mail attacks. The final chapter summarizes a full defense plan.

In all cases when a subject is discussed it is with a very impressive depth and understanding of the intricacies and it is followed with a plan to protect your computing resources.

Malicious Mobile Code: Virus Protection for Windows
by Roger A. Grimes
O'Reilly & Associates, 2001
542 pages, $39.95
ISBN: 156592682X

Beginning PHP4 and Professional PHP Programming
Review by Thomas (Marty) Harwell-Weiler

These companion manuals from Wrox Press provide comprehensive coverage of the increasingly popular PHP server-side scripting language utilized for dynamic, interactive Web sites. Although Professional PHP Programming was published just prior to the fourth generation release of PHP, the vast majority of material remains germane to current PHP implementations.

The sections on installing PHP from both manuals are not for the coronary-prone; actually getting the Web servers to work (a prerequisite for PHP to launch) is enough to guarantee ulcers. PWS is addressed for Win9x, as is IIS for WinNT/2K. Apache installation is covered for Linux only, a bit odd considering its being equally available (and arguably more efficient) for Wintel. Getting PHP configured for a specific server thereafter sets the stage for endless hours of dubious joy. Fortunately, installing and configuring the MySQL database most commonly chosen for PHP utilization is considerably less ulcer-inducing. Just keep your favorite antacid handy throughout.

Beginning PHP4, in particular, provides a gradual introduction to PHP far better than most, especially for developers not already well-versed in C syntax. Having a solid foundation in HTML is an absolute: Developers who depend on paint-by-numbers-kits (i.e., graphical Web site tools) would be wise to learn essential HTML coding for real before even entertaining the possibility of undertaking PHP.

Professional PHP Programming has a tendency to meander, although it generally does provide more detailed explanations of many PHP functions. Being primed with a solid foundation in C and Perl is recommended for those who choose to not concurrently avail themselves of its Beginning PHP4 companion.

Both volumes provide extensive and complementary coverage for several of the numerous applications available via PHP. Building a complete Web-based e-mail processor for site visitors is one of the most effective uses of PHP. Others include dynamic image-generation, file management, message boards, cookies, guest books and even shopping carts for e-commerce sites.

Although generally considered to be safer than Perl-based CGI scripts, PHP does present the potential for serious security flaws if not properly implemented with the tools and techniques available: Remain vigilant with security in mind when coding PHP-based applications in conjunction with proper server management. Professional PHP Programming addresses security issues extensively.

With the ability to call external PHP files from standard HTML coding, PHP often provides a viable alternative to conventional CGI programming, which in many instances may be more effective but leans toward convoluted overkill.

The comparative simplicity of PHP is perhaps its greatest strength. (Ironically, PHP began in 1995 as a series of CGI scripts written by its founder, Rasmus Lerdorf, to track visitors to his online resume. Interest in the modules grew and eventually gave rise to PHP: a classic open-source scenario.) Its primary advantage over Active Server Pages is the cross-platform aspect not available to comparable ASP-based approaches. (Although PHP is sometimes viewed as a "lightweight" compared to Java Server Pages, it adequately serves many interactive and dynamic Web site requirements.) Both manuals cover embedded procedures quite well.

The most widely-utilized database for PHP is probably MySQL, although many others are also used. Database integration is excellent with PHP, providing an exceptional foundation for dynamically-driven Web sites. These books address database connectivity for the novice and experienced alike.

Additional information on PHP can initially be obtained from the PHP website, from there being referred to numerous other sources that provide examples of PHP in action.

Beginning PHP4 and Professional PHP Programming make worthy additions to the technical library of developers who are serious about constructing interactive Web sites. These complementary volumes will provide a solid foundation by which to evolve Web sites from static brochure-ware to the next level.

Beginning PHP4
by Wankyu Choi, Allan Kent, Chris Lea, Ganesh Prasad, Chris Ullman, et al.
Wrox Press, 2000
775 pages, $39.99
ISBN 1-861003-73-0

Professional PHP Programming
by Jesus Castagnetto, Harish Rawat, Sascha Schumann, Chris Scollo, Deepak Veliath
Wrox Press, 1999
909 pages, $49.99
ISBN 1-861002-96-3

Teach Yourself e-Genealogy Today
Review by Wallace R. Buth

Enjoy an afternoon, or a week or a month, on the road to what can become a lifetime obsession of "looking-up" old aunts and uncles, great-grandmothers and great, great-grandfathers, cousins and all—from lifetimes past. Ms. Lamb's book is fascinating and lightly written and easy-to-read. The author writes with grace and understanding. She has written for those who wish to begin the "beginning" search—for the where, and the why, and from the "whom"—they have come; presenting opportunity to add "life" to many of the photo-album pictures.

All of what one would hope is in the book, is. It is in a helpful and competently written, easy-to-follow form. The book is structured as an informal tutorial and is designed with all kinds of instructional helps, for the reader to find ways and means to assist on a fanciful beginning—an imaginary, but personal journey into the past. It has the rightfulness of the simple for the true beginner.

It progresses with easy-to-follow suggestions on true helpful ways to utilize your computer, the talents of the Internet, and sponsoring programs. This makes it easier to utilize the manifold avenues that comprise the following of one's relatives through current and past family history. The author suggests, almost demands, that one begin the search starting with one's own self. You will find that it is easy—all too easy—to go out "on a limb" and become lost among the branches and twigs and leaves of what could turn out to be a truly magnificent family tree.

In describing the steps of how to do a search, I found the book stimulating enough to want to start my own search. I will begin my searching for "self" and continue with known family. I will use and incorporate assistance, as suggested, of various programs and search engines; these will likely include a search of government records and community records. I might even examine church records, should I find they are applicable, for my family.

Family history is often retained within the family hierarchy. I did not have the privilege as a child to know my grandparents. My mother's father died during the 1918 influenza that killed millions world-wide. I like history very much. This book may become that spark to enable me to meet some of those persons comprising my past—a beginning that may help me realize a focus of actuality in time of life, that which is real, even if only visible on the pages of history.

In your searches, you will follow the many true-life characters through their sunshine and tears, vaulting into the abyss and the murkiness of life, in heretofore hidden details. The journey of each is a novel of characters comprised of moments "held still" and "held over" until someone again opens the curtains of time. It is as if there was a reintroduction of a cast of characters in a play entitled Life. This play, repeating the embodiment of a theme or a time molded in actuality but secreted within the players themselves, is our families. The actors are our family members, who come alive in their nuances of input and adventure—some brilliant, some plain, some fanciful, some boring and some so emboldened as to have perhaps made and shaped history.

Our delving within the records can help flesh out the life behind the name. Be prepared for a real journey, as there is nothing quite as adventurous as the life within our own genealogy. A life's journey is never really finished or complete.

As long as men and women continue to attend baby-making classes together, the genealogical family is in no danger of demise. The ultimate product: family, family tree.

Teach Yourself e-Genealogy Today
by Terri Stephens Lamb
Sams Publishing, 1999
300 pages, $17.99
ISBN: 0672318164

Quicken 2002: The Official Guide
Review by Wallace R. Buth

Quicken 2002: The Official Guide is the latest work by a prolific writer of computer books (35 in all), Maria Langer. She suggests usage by the novice beginner and proceeds all the way to the practiced computer user, including heavy-time professionals. Even the sophisticated computer organizer/compiler of records and recordable needs will find "helps" in this updated version. It fits into the world of personal and business requirements. Its content is verified by the author, with oversight input from the experts at Intuit, the developer of Quicken. The author is a BBA Accounting graduate of Hofstra University, with many years of actual field experience.

Ms. Langer has designed a presentation master from the unusually explicit table of contents, with numbered parts—and titled chapters—that include an overview at the very front, to the installation help, an explanation; with interface and onscreen help notes. Ms. Langer presents a unique "What Next" short list, at the end of each chapter, of what the reader can find in the continuing chapter. If it applies to your needs, continue. If not, you can jump or skip around to those portions that are of immediate interest and refer back, as your thoughts become more certain.

This is a true usable text. It contains many, many screen shots and "tips" or suggestions with practical explanations for the user to apply in appropriate record-making applications. It is not a plaything, it is for real. There is an Appendix A and an Appendix B, with a full index. The author suggests the reader review these sections for data file information and even for customizing Quicken, "so it looks and works the way you want it to."

This is a masterful production for you to use and appreciate for many years. Buy it and use it. Enjoy and prosper!

Quicken 2002: The Official Guide
by Maria Langer
McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2001
556 pages, $24.99
ISBN: 007219391