flash

Flash CS4 Professional Digital Classroom
$49.99
I've read a few books on Flash, and numerous tutorials. This is the first time I've tried CS4 (trial)... but I have tried CS3 and MX.

I could never, for whatever reason, grasp the concepts of Flash necessary to build anything but elementary Flash movies.

FINALLY, this book has broken the barrier I believe! It has a very "classroom" or "tutor" feel to it, and with the DVD videos & files.. it makes it extremely easy to understand what exactly you're doing... what works, and HOW it works.

Highly recommend the book.. make sure you get the DVD that comes with it.

Mattel DC Universe Flash Speedster Figure
$14.99
One of the many problems that I've had over the years with DC figures is that they seemed to only be 'figurines' or 'statues' as opposed to action figures. The sculpts were very nice, but they had little-to-no points of articulation, and they were exorbitantly priced. But then DC got down off of their 'collectable only' pedestal and started following the amazing work done by Marvel and Toy Biz/Hasbro on the MARVEL LEGENDS series; making beautifully sculpted figures with dozens of points of articulation that you can actually play with AND that are also affordable. This was something that DC DIRECT had been missing, but they joined forces with Mattel and started making the DC UNIVERSE figures, which like the Marvel figures, have the above improvements.

Now, they've been making consistently better figures since their trial run with the Batman and Superman-related figures, and have expanded their figure repertiore with Silver Age, Bronze Age and Modern Age heroes ranging from the obscure (Big Barda, Firestorm, Etrigan, Batman Beyond, Cyborg, etc.) to the must-haves (Green Lantern, Nightwing, Wonder Woman, The Riddler). And this figure of THE FLASH is no exception. It's a beautiful figure with many many points of articulation. And moreso, it's affordable. In years to come, many of the DC Direct figures will find their way into cut-out bargain bins, but the DC Universe figures will have places for action figure collectors for all time!

Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
$249.99
I have a Nikon D60, and its little built-in flash can't quite keep up with the photography I do (shooting in dark hotel lobbies, homes, et cetera). What a difference this SB-600 flash makes!

The AF grid that the flash projects (IR, so it's not visible) really helps my camera focus in lower light conditions. It still has trouble with some things, like mascot costume faces (where is the face? confused!), but it's still an improvement over not using the SB-600.

I may want to get the SB-800 at some point, but I'm happy for now!

Adobe Flash CS3 Professional How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques
$24.99
I've only been in Flash for several months now, gotten through the basics and was hoping to expand my skills. Found this book and thought it would be good. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. One of the essential techniques is saving a file. A full page on adding a keyframe. I can explain that in two letters F6. Seriously this book is page after page of the most mundane basic stuff they could cram into a book. So if you've never been on a computer or seen an Adobe app this might be for you. Otherwise stay away and find a good podcast on itunes.