Reality ColdFusion MX: Flash MX Integration was one of the first books to look at integrating two of the main MX products and did it from a different approach. Typically tech books walk you through code and act as a good tutorial and reference. This book presents 4 applications in case study fashion, which will disappoint some and please others. I recommend Reality ColdFusion MX: Flash MX Integration for those that have a good grasp of ColdFusion MX and an intermediate level of skill working within Flash MX's IDE. You may find the project methodology useful and if you are new to Rich Internet Applications, the sample applications will make a great starting point.

With the myraid of new features available to Web developers who link together the Flash MX, ColdFusion MX, and Flash Communication Server MX products from Macromedia, there's a lot to be learned in very little time. I purchased this book to get a jump on both Flash Remoting and working with the Flash Communication server product. The book excells in its first two thirds, covering the construction of real-world applications which use Flash MX at their core. Some may be annoyed by the focus on the entire application development lifecycle and not merely on code, but I find this approach to be useful and refreshing. We all talk about use cases and requirements gathering, but very few of us working in small teams actually do it.

The book rapidly loses its way when it comes time to discuss interaction with the Flash Communication Server. Huge chunks of code go unexplained, and the text itself suffers from poor editing. My guess is that the book was written before the 1.0 version of FlashComm was released, and the desire to not discuss code that may have changed between draft submission of the book and release of the FlashComm server is painfully evident. If you're interested in FlashComm, take a look at his book on the Flash Communication Server instead.

This book provides an acceptable introduction to Flash Remoting with CF, but there isn't enough code or explanation to allow you to start on your own until after you've learned both CF and Flash well independently. Also, at least 80% of the book talks about methodology, fake meetings, requirements gathering, and stuff like that--not the stated purpose of the book.

If you have extra time, I think it's worth a read, but if you can't read everything you want to, you're better off concentrating on Flash and ColdFusion specific books.

good content for those who already know flash and coldfusion. however, that said, still has some holes and seems somewhat rushed to print. not sure if will answer many of the questions those new to remoting (everyone!) will have. quite mediocre.

This book is not written for everyone. Even if you know your CFML and ActionScript it is best that you have developed a couple of projects first (before trying this book).

I personally like the layout of the book. Yes it takes a little getting use to. I did not realize some people disliked the unimaginative way most computer books are written. Having notes pasted in at odd angles gives the book a "real world" feel.

I have only looked at the mail client example, but from that I am very impressed with the book. The code provided in the book was straight forward and easy to follow.

I am a CF programmer by trade. While I know some Flash, I would not consider myself an expert. The Flash coding was what slowed me down the most. However, after completing the mail client I must say my Falsh skills have improved (but I am still no Hillman Curtis).

If you are an advanced CF user who knows Flash, this is the book you have been waiting for. Even though this book is beyond the beginner-intermediate level, I would encourage them to read the book lightly. There are many concepts that are explained in this book that could shed some light on CFMX and Flash.