Section A.4. Finding Flash Gurus

A.4. Finding Flash Gurus

Flash is one of those programs that people tend to get passionate about, so it's not surprising that there are hundreds of great resources on the Web offering everything from example code to free components , articles, tutorials, and more. Here are a few that are definitely worth checking out:

• FlashGuru (www.flashguru.co.uk): With its professional-quality articles and tutorials, this wondrous Flash blog would be useful enough by itself; but it also lists dozens of other Flash blogs maintained by heavy-hitters in the Flash world.

• Flash Insider (www.flashinsider.com): This "Unofficial Flash Weblog" tracks Flash- related news and events. It also offers online forums, articles on everything from ActionScript to ad design and free downloadable Flash components.

• Flash Kit (www. flashkit .com): Surprisingly badly designed for a site that focuses on a design program, Flash Kit nevertheless offers a wealth of sound effects, fonts, components, and movie clips. It also hosts a well-attended online forum.

• Best Flash Animation Site (www.bestflashanimationsite.com) and Webby Awards (www.webbyawards.com) : There's nothing like watching a beautifully constructed Flash animation to get you thinking about good design. On these two sites you can nominate the coolest Flash animation you've ever seen (including your own) or simply visit the sites others have nominated.

• Macromedia Mobile User Group of Boston (www.flashmobilegroup.org): If you're interested in creating Flash content for mobile devices (such as mobile phones), you'll want to check out this site, which offers Flash Litespecific articles, seminars , links, and live chats.

• FlashPro Mailing list (http://www.muinar.org): FlashPro is an open and non- moderated email list "for professional Flash designers and ActionScript coders." This is where the big dogs run, so you may want to exhaust some of the resources listed above (and comb through FlashPro's archived posts) before posting a question.