cfguy

 So, my first, "simple" Flex app has turned into my first major Flex project.  Here are my observations so far...

• Flex is NOT simple.  Well, it can be, but in order to leverage the real power and flexibility of the platform, you want to develop loosely coupled components that communicate via events and pass entire objects to one another (as opposed to keys or identifiers, as most web developers are used to).  DO NOT expect to learn it in a weekend.
• Between being REALLY OO-architected and event-driven, there are many new concepts for a ColdFusion developer learning Flex to wrap their head around.
• Flex's biggest strength (to me) is the rich interface widgets it offers.  This is the payoff for the added complexity of the platform.  I can create a rich, immersive interface that users (particularly decision-makers) LOVE, very quickly, without all the nasty cross-platform debugging and accessibility concerns I have faced in the past using DHTML and AJAX.  I can see why some pundits refer to RIA's as "experiences" rather than interfaces.
• FlexBuilder (ala Eclipse) is very cool.  I find myself gradually making the change over from Dreamweaver for my CF code.  With the integrated debugger in CF8, I would be suprised to see many CF developers using something other than Eclipse after CF8 drops.  Like the paths in DW, the debugging is a pain in the ass to set up, but there are good resources on teh web that walk you through it.
• The integrated help in FlexBuilder is very well done - the examples are invaluable.
• I am finding more and more tutorials and how-to's every day online for Flex (thank God).