* First Flash book to use the unique "virtual classroom" approach to teaching ActionScript programming to absolute beginners, so it meets a need head-on that no other book addresses directly-providing the missing link between technology and creativity.

* Flash and ActionScript are extremely simple to learn, so this book provides the ideal entry point for any aspiring programmer and web designer, compared with technologies like VB and C++, which can be very intimidating to the novice. Additionally, this book is complementary to any other entry-level Flash titles - it recognizes that as well as mastering the design side of the toolset, effective designer/developers also need to grasp basic programming skills. Having Flash on your machine doesn't miraculously turn you into a web designer - you need to work at learning design and programming skills too.

* The authors are highly experienced authors and Flash tutors, well versed in communicating technical information to a low level consumer audience. They are also active web community members and will provide personal technical support for the book direct to the reader via the Friends of ED support forums.