reviewed by: Jen deHaan

Version: Flash MX

Publisher: Sybex

The Hidden Power of Flash Components is an excellent new offering to the Flash designers and developers alike. This book is an informative look at how to use Flash components in your Web sites or applications. Components have definitely taken off after the release of Flash MX. However, it is difficult to find *good* components for free. There are definitely some good ones out there, but they are far and few between. Also, documentation is not typically included - at least, not detailed documentation. That is where this book comes in. You get the documentation in the printed pages (how to use each component), and then the component itself on the included CD-ROM.

This book isn't very long, but it does offer a ton of value for anyone who picks it up. Value is the key: not only are you getting some great instruction, tips and guidance in the book pages, but you are also receiving a large amount of software on the CD-ROM that you can put to use in your Flash applications and/or Web sites. There are components for Buttons, Interfaces, Text, Video and Audio, and Games.

This book is much like the friends of ED book called "Flash MX Components Most Wanted". *ahem, there are even some duplicates by the same component developers!!* However, this book includes a few more components than our friends of ED (RIP) offering though, but is also a bit more expensive. It also includes those introductory chapters that warm you up to using components in your interface. Also, near the end of the book there is a chapter on creating components, which is an ok introduction to component creation that might get you up and started.

I should stress: components are not going away. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to component usage and Flash. Certainly when you consider applications - components and application building really go well together, where file size is not as much of an issue and reusability is a plus. Components are definitely going to continue being developed, and as new standards and practices, documentation and knowledge expands... so will the world of components. Now is the time to start using them and picking up the practices. Therefore, books like these are great to see on the market and I certainly hope they continue (perhaps with some good books on component creation soon!)

The components included with this book are extremely useful and relevant. For the great documentation in the chapters, and Hamlin's great writing style I offer this book gets a 5/5. But because of the dupes with the other mentioned book, and some unnecessary on(press) code I saw... it goes to a 4.5. However, this book is very strongly recommended!

Rating: (4.5/5).