This might seem like an odd question. Ordinarily, you can't take any actions before your first turn. However, I can think of at least two ways that you can take an immediate action while flat-footed: Nerveskitter (Spell Compendium) and Ferocity (Cityscape web).

I am planning to play a barbarian with Ferocity specializing in area control. Uncanny dodge means that I don't have to worry about Dexterity to AC when flat-footed, but it is very important that I know whether I am entitled to take attacks of opportunity before my turn if I have already acted to activate Ferocity.

The SRD says:

A character who has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, not yet reacting normally to the situation. A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

But the glossary says:

Especially vulnerable to attacks at the beginning of a battle. Characters are flat-footed until their first turns in the initiative cycle. A flat-footed creature loses its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

The glossary cites the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide, but does not give a page reference.

I can think of three possible interpretations:

1. The SRD is wrong (differs from the books). The barbarian is flat-footed.
2. The glossary is wrong. The barbarian is not flat-footed.
3. Both are correct – taking an immediate action does not constitute "acting".

Of the three, interpretation #2 seems the most likely. Is there any other source or precedent that might shed light on this?

This might seem like an odd question. Ordinarily, you can't take any actions before your first turn. However, I can think of at least two ways that you can take an immediate action while flat-footed: Nerveskitter (Spell Compendium) and Ferocity (Cityscape web enhancement).

I am planning to play a barbarian with Ferocity specializing in area control. Uncanny dodge means that I don't have to worry about Dexterity to AC when flat-footed, but it is very important that I know whether I am entitled to take attacks of opportunity before my turn if I have already acted to activate Ferocity.

The SRD says:

A character who has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, not yet reacting normally to the situation. A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

But the glossary says:

Especially vulnerable to attacks at the beginning of a battle. Characters are flat-footed until their first turns in the initiative cycle. A flat-footed creature loses its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

The glossary cites the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide, but does not give a page reference.

I can think of three possible interpretations:

1. The SRD is wrong (differs from the books). The barbarian is flat-footed.
2. The glossary is wrong. The barbarian is not flat-footed.
3. Both are correct – taking an immediate action does not constitute "acting".

Of the three, interpretation #2 seems the most likely. Is there any other source or precedent that might shed light on this?