Beginner of Flash Action Script 3

I'm also learning AS3... in general, I think it's easier to start coding on the timeline (to get used to the language) and when you feel confortable with it, try to build external classes and work with document classes (get into OOP = Object Oriented Programming).

Since you work with web, maybe you already know another language, like Java. It seems that people with some programming background (like Java or C#) learn AS3 much faster. If that's not your case, no problem... jump to AS3 directly, and as Ned Murphy said, forget about AS2. You won't ever need it.

I don't know if you like books or prefer videos. If you like books, the Essential Actionscript 3.0 is good, but only if you already have a programming background... If it's not your case, try something "lighter". I'm about to receive a book I bought that "seems" to be better for starters... It's called "Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide". The AS3 Bible, as another user recommended seems to be good to (for starters, it's better than the Essential Actionscript 3.0 in my oppinion).

Check the adobe website too. You have thinks like:

ActionScript Technology Center

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/actionscript/?promoid=DJGVO

AS3 Language and Compnents Reference

http://www.adobe.com/livedocs/flash/9.0/ActionScriptLangRefV3/

The Official Documentation to Learn Core ActionScript 3 (also in .pdf format)

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/as3/learn/index.html

and The AS3 Developer Guide

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/as3/dev/index.html (also in .pdf format)

My case, I just can't read books online or at the computer, so I prefer to buy books.

I also prefer videos... if you have the money to spend, try lynda.com and totaltraining.com (in my opinion, are you best options to get started quickly).

And have a "happy learning".

sometimes people get confused with making external as classes... first of all learn basics and try to code on timeline, I suggest you to read from actionscript bible 3.0 but first time when you reading skip the chapter 3 that's based on class and oops based function.. that's make biggner cofused... learn events... variables.. functions.. last of all read making classes..