Starting up with flash

[Throntel]

I've looked slightly into flash before and want to try learn more about it, I've been testing flash a bit for about a week now and made some very basic, simple, useless programs. Now that I want to try learn how to use flash to make some more advanced programs/games/websites a couple questions came to my mind. And I would really like to get these questions answered before I start with the learning.

1. I've noticed how alot of the websites using flash, have alot of graphics and some seem quite advanced. I've also noticed how my simple programs doesn't look as stunning. Is this something that's actully possible to learn? How to create these backgrounds, images, buttons the whole layout. I've tried make some simple graphical objects before when I made a couple websites using HTML and javascripts, and I never got it to look very good (in my defence I used paint). So is this something you must be born with, like a natural or are there some programs making it a bit easier for the guy with 10 thumbs?

2. Is it possible to make a secure website using flash, with users and passwords etc. Or is flash made in such a way that every username and password have to be directly stored into a script so that anyone who knows the URL can access the script and read usernames etc?

3. Are a flash website able to update itself? can you have a box where you write something, then click a button of some kind then that text will show at the website next time someone enters (Example; If Q2 is answered by a yes (Meaning you can have secure usernames and passwords in flash) Could I log into the website, then have a edit button on the different paragraphs which would allow me to easily update my website?

4. Last, but not least: Do most Web-hotels support Flash sites, or would I need a server for it? And if they do support it, will the free once support it aswell?

Well that was it for the questions, but if you have any other tips for me as a flash newb, that would be great

[JacobHaug]

Your post was kind of confusing, but I managed to figure out what you are talking about, I think...

1. Yes, Graphics can be created within flash, and in fact, I prefer to create graphics in flash, and most other flash professionals do as well. Here's why. All pictures/art done within the flash, are vector art. This means they don’t get pixilated, and are great for doing animation with. Flash is a hard program to learn to use, and I would recommend you checking out this website here.

2. Yes, if you are planning on having a secure website be within flash, I would recommend running it though some sort of PHP/MySQL system. As flash alone is not all that secure, but with a secure certificate, and flash communicating through PHP, and MySQL, yes flash can be very secure!!

3. Yes, there you are looking for some sort of CMS. (Content Management System) This would allow you to go to a certain URL like...yourdomain.com/admin

Then you just type in your username and password, and can edit you website instantly, instead of opening flash. This is great for clients, if you are worried about them messing something up, you can limit their activity. I do it all the time, and it works for me. Here is a great flash CMS system. (LINK)

4. This question was a little confusing to me, I am not sure what you mean by "Do most Web-hotels support Flash sites" Do you mean do most Web hosts support flash sites? Confused...if that is what you mint, yes all most all website hosts support flash, in fact if they don't support flash that would surprise me. I am not sure about wither free hosts support flash, I believe they do, but their would be some file size, and bandwidth issues there. A good and cheap website host is...godaddy.com

Last Part... I would recommend you reading this article here. Also if you are serous about learning flash, I would recommend you to check out the sites listed in the article I wrote, and watch their tutorials, as I am more of a visual learner, I find video tutorials to be the best learning option!! Hope I helped you, and let me know if you need anything else!!

[Throntel]

Okey, thanks for the reply it was very helpfull.
I'm sorry for the confusion, think I were a bit tired when I made this thread.
Anyway, I got the answers I needed, think I'll try learn a bit more and I'll take a look at the tutorials to get me started

One more question though: you wouldn't know somewhere I could find some information about PHP/MySQL systems?

[JacobHaug]

Yeah, in the PHP forum, ask this question...a guy named Ryanfait will answer...he should be able to help you get started on that...I am not a PHP guy, more of an XHTML/CSS, and ActionScript, JavaScript, and Flash guy...lol