Customer Reviews

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not sure how Dreamweaver can be compared to Frontpage, didn't Frontpage die a slow death years ago and get replaced by Expression Web. Not quite apples with apples.

Previous versions of Dreamweaver may have been a little weak but DW55.5 is great and so far handles Javascript, JQuery, HTML(incl 5), mobile development (Android) and all the usual web stuff.

The only piece of the puzzle that is missing is full support for CSS3 in the visual CSS editor. It doesn't cater for many of the new features of CSS 3, just standard border, box, font, background stuff. No effects, browser compatibility, border radius etc. You know, all those great things that everybody is using from CSS3, that we can't do without and are critical for the most current web design. It support the syntax when coding it by hand but doesn't like the CSS if you then edit it using DW's CSS styles.

I am looking for a worthy CSS3 editor to cater for this flaw but would far prefer Adobe add the functionality, for the price it should be there anyway.

Dreamweaver is not a program for amateurs looking to create web sites. It is a program for web designers looking to take shortcuts. If you are thinking "wow, it would be great to create a web site for my class reunion," step away from the shopping cart. Go pay some college kid $250 to do it for you and save yourself the heartache.

If you have some degree of technical skill, the ability (and patience) to figure out complex software, a solid graphic design background (don't know what a .png is? seriously, just hire the college kid), and a LOT of time, you can use this program to create just about anything you want.

But you'll need the Missing Manual book as well. Good luck.

I switched from Frontpage to Dreamweaver after reading a number of reviews recommending it for adherence to Web standards. While it is clearly a powerful system with strong CSS capabilities, potential users should exercise EXTREME caution in deciding to purchase it. The learning curve is probably 30-40X higher than for Frontpage and documentation is quite poor. A large number of functions do not work as indicated. For instance, there are 2 supposed methods for changing table column widths, but neither works. I am being told by experts that you actually need to hand code many elements, and that the visual design methods are unreliable. Changing the background color of a cell has been thus far impossible, for example.

On a more general basis, there is no correspondence between what is shown in WYSIWYG-like Design view and the CSS elements and rules that define what you see. You should be able to determine what rules are connected to what visual elements and vice versa. Instead you can determine neither, unless the method to do so is totally undocumented.

In summary, what I have noted may not be bugs, but there is no way to determine how to accomplish even many simple functions, even using Dreamweaver CS5: The Missing Manual, and even with user forums. I have no doubt that professional programmers can generate correct and efficient Web pages and sites. However, I do not recommend that anyone below the level of a professional programmer, or willing to invest several thousand hours, select this system. It is not for the fainthearted.

I was fairly apprehensive purchasing this product as I had heard Dreamweaver was very difficult to understand and use. I purchased a Dreamweaver CS5 Digital Classroom book and am confident that this program will continue to work to our satisfaaction.

CS5.5 does not support javascript drop down menu build nor background images for table elements. Oh sure you can go into developer mode and key all this in yourself, but that sort of defeats the purpose of having it to begin with. For what I use it for these are two items I cannot do without. I upgraded because I finally got off my old XP machine and thought I had to buy this version to have Dreamweaver at all on Windows 7. I was wrong. Dreamweaver MX 2004 still works on Windows 7. That's the good news. The bad news is the nearly $400 I paid for this boat anchor.

I had previous version of Dreamweaver CS4. When I saw possibility of DWCS5.5 I couldn`t resist but purchase when my trial was about to expire. It was very good timing because I started Mobile Web and App Development Course. It`s so helpful with all new features like HTML5 tags and new CSS3. Besides, AdobeTV is also very good to watch in order to get some idea how to use it. I usually rely on YouTube tutorials from some users who are so good in explanation as they were teachers. I highly recommend it

Adobe as always is a great solid product.I would reccommend to anyone. A great price at a great company. Super!