ACTIONSCRIPTING IN NORMAL MODE: NO MOREMONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 2003 @ 08:39 PMI can't remember the last time I used Normal Mode to write ActionScript. As a matter of fact, I didn't notice normal mode was gone in Flash MX 2004 until last thursday, while we were having a session with James Talbot at the monthly NYMMUG meeting.
A nice lady that was seated by my side was shocked: being an instructional designer for a high-school, she couldn't believe it was for real, and made it clear to James.... several times. I tried to explain to her that even though Flash MX 2004 comes with AS 2.0, she could still use AS 1.0 for her projects; but it seemed to me that her teaching methods are very tied to coding in "normal mode". She is not upgrading. Granted, I'm sure most people reading don't use normal mode in Flash. I myself, not being a seasoned programmer, needed only a few weeks to give up normal mode and start coding by hand. For me, like most of the people I know that started using Flash by the same time, normal mode wasn't helpful with long and complex scripts. However, I HAD to use it to really understand ActionScript. Today, people new to Flash won't have the same opportunity, and I think it's a mistake. Although Macromedia is trying to appeal more to developers, forgetting about designers is not the way to go. I just made it official by sending a feature request at Macromedia's web site, but I would like to know what do you think about this. As always, your comments are most welcome. Archived under: Flash. | Permalink | google | del.icio.us  | digg  LINCOLNSEPTEMBER 29 2003 @ 10:22 PMOf course this is bias but...having begun using flash with the release of MX, I needed to catch up to a seasoned AS programmer quick-like. I found that a lot of the starter books and resources might be geared towards the normal mode and even my first instructors taught the courses in normal mode but ultimately the tool acts as nothing more than a crutch to the production workflow. If you're serious about developing in flash, and I think that's what MM has to assume seeing as you'd just dumped $500 into it, even if you're doing just light production, there is no real reason to not straight code into the 'expert' panel. The user will be able to pick up the structure and methodologies (OOP, etc) of coding at a faster pace if they just start coding from text, not to mention bridge the gulf between 'novice' and 'expert' programmer. My advice to a beginner, drop the crutch and start to walk.
just my .92c BO WRIGHTSEPTEMBER 29 2003 @ 11:35 PMOscar,
I see your point of beginners needing a way of learning the basic structure of Flash and its Actionscrit language. Perhaps with the introduction of the JSFL to new MX2004 series, some developers can put together a beginners panel that could be used by newbs without the overwhelming expert actions panel. Maybe a whole new set of just beginners panels could be developed for the whole Studio series that helps brings new users into the realm of Macromedia products. JESTERXLSEPTEMBER 30 2003 @ 12:29 AMBehavior Panel. Learn it, love it, teach it.
BEMBINOSEPTEMBER 30 2003 @ 12:47 PMI can see why this would suck for newbies, but may as well dive in and get your feet wet. I was so freaked out the first time I was asked to use expert mode, but I have never looked back since. Like Jester said there are behaviors, and you can also access all the available actions via the "+" at the top of the panel, or the panel at the left. I don't even remember what normal mode was like.
OSCAR TRELLESSEPTEMBER 30 2003 @ 12:55 PMWell, Behaviors won't teach the newbie, they just automate some pretty basic actions.
Maybe for people new to Flash the absence or normal mode won't be a big deal, they never knew it. But what about the people that uses it on a regular basis? Between not upgrading or having to lear to coda by hand... Besides, James told us during the meeting that dropping normal mode was more a decision based on rushing the launch of MX 2004... BEMBINOSEPTEMBER 30 2003 @ 01:16 PMA rushed launch? That sucks. I hate when I am rushed at work and have to send substandard product out the door.
JESTERXLSEPTEMBER 30 2003 @ 02:14 PMRushed or not, Normal Mode was there for people not coding in Flash, in MX anyway. They're product is heading towards a developer centric environment, not a designer's tool. Nowadays, if your learning Flash, your either using behaviors, or coding. If you need to learn, you'll have to look at the code that behaviors place, or example files. They don't expect hybrids picking up Flash anymore, hence no more normal mode.
Sucks, but Flash is not marketed to those people anymore. D6RTGJULY 20 2006 @ 02:42 AMhttp://www.greatestjournal.com/users/yingshi2/494.html
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