can’t believe that we have now reached the second generation of Flex. It seemed like I had just finished the first edition and, within a few weeks, we were in a long and ever-changing series of betas for Flex 3. In the course of that period, many of the chapters you read in this book were rewritten three or four times. Let me begin by thanking the many readers who took the time to write kind reviews for Amazon.com and other places. I read nearly every suggestion and incorporated them into this edition. I cut down a bit on the technical ActionScript explanations and focused on the

features of Flex itself. After years of doing technical training, where I have only a couple of days to cover large topics,

I have learned to substitute shorter, and more pointed, explanations that clarify a concept in place of larger, more technical (and often confusing) explanations. In other words, I often like to get right to the heart of the matter, without taking circuitous routes.

Can’t believe that we have now reached the second generation of Flex. It seemed like I hadjust finished the first edition and, within a few weeks, we were in a long and ever-changingseries of betas for Flex 3. In the course of that period, many of the chapters you read in thisbook were rewritten three or four times.Let me begin by thanking the many readers who took the time to write kind reviews forAmazon.com and other places. I read nearly every suggestion and incorporated them intothis edition. I cut down a bit on the technical ActionScript explanations and focused on thefeatures of Flex itself.

After years of doing technical training, where I have only a couple of days to cover large topics,I have learned to substitute shorter, and more pointed, explanations that clarify a conceptin place of larger, more technical (and often confusing) explanations. In other words, Ioften like to get right to the heart of the matter, without taking circuitous routes.