actionscript syntax

i dunno much at all about actionscript but im trying to use it based on my javascript knowledge which is also limited. but anyways im trying to define some variables in mx and it tells me that i need to have them in on/onClipEvent handlers can anyone explain this to me?
and also i am trying to make it so an image follows my mouse horizontally (a good example is pankpages.com the navigation bar) so i was also wondering how you define the x value of an object and the mouse becuase i need to define one variable as an objects x value and another variable as the mouses x value
here is my script it doesnt work but maybe you can see what im trying to do
onClipEvent (enterFrame) {
var buttonx = _root.button1_x;
var mousex = _xmouse;
buttonx = mousex;
}
also i put the variables in the onclipevent before pasting it in here the message about needing to put them in onclipeven handlers was generated when my variables where defined on top of my onclipeven statement

for starters it should be _root.button1._x

you forgot the .

Next why not just use an instance name to reffer to instead of your variable. I used a variable for mine but only to trigger an active state when the mouse is over the buttons. To simply have a button follow your mouse just use the instance name of your clip.

_root.clip._x = _root._xmouse;

thnx that should help alot

ok well now when the movie starts the movie that i want to follow the mouse starts there but how do i get it to move with the mouse?... sliding?

well, if this is on frame 1 you need to be repeating the action so that it keeps checking for the position. try adding a "goto and play 1" action on frame 2.

chris

ok i got it to work but its really jerky if you move the mouse fast at all does anyone know how to make it smooth and look like its sliding?