Building Web Sites with Macromedia Studio MX [Paperback]

Tom Green (Author), Jordan L. Chilcott (Author), Chris Flick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2002

Leverage the power of Macromedia Studio MX to design and build attention-grabbing dynamic web sites on time and under budget. This is the only book on the market that shows readers how to use Macromedia Studio MX (Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, Flash MX, Freehand 10, and ColdFusion MX) and SiteSpring to design, build and manage web sites quickly and easily. A one-stop approach to the use of the key features in each of the applications and clear instructions regarding how they come together in Studio MX.

Using the newly released Macromedia Studio MX, which includes Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, Flash MX, Freehand 10, and ColdFusion MX, the authors follow the creation of a fictional online clothing catalog. The book begins by teaching solid planning and content management practices with Macromedia SiteSpring, then moves on to developing the site concept, testing ideas, and getting client approval. The content development process forms the bulk of the book, showing readers how to take advantage of the tight integration between the Studio MX products to put together an attractive site that incorporates art, animation, and dynamic pages. The web site will provide the working prototype that is built in the book, as well as all code and extensions referenced in the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Leverage the power of Macromedia Studio MX to design and build attention-grabbing dynamic web sites on time and under budget. This is the only book on the market that shows readers how to use Macromedia Studio MX (Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, Flash MX, Freehand 10, and ColdFusion MX) and SiteSpring to design, build and manage web sites quickly and easily. A one-stop approach to the use of the key features in each of the applications and clear instructions regarding how they come together in Studio MX.

Using the newly released Macromedia Studio MX, which includes Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, Flash MX, Freehand 10, and ColdFusion MX, the authors follow the creation of a fictional online clothing catalog. The book begins by teaching solid planning and content management practices with Macromedia SiteSpring, then moves on to developing the site concept, testing ideas, and getting client approval. The content development process forms the bulk of the book, showing readers how to take advantage of the tight integration between the Studio MX products to put together an attractive site that incorporates art, animation, and dynamic pages. The web site will provide the working prototype that is built in the book, as well as all code and extensions referenced in the book.

About the Author

Tom Green is the Multimedia Program Coordinator for Humber College in Canada. In 2001, he participated on the jury of the 2001 EMMA awards. He wrote Macromedia Director 8 and Lingo Fast and Easy Web Development (Primatech).

Jordan L. Chilcottdevelops eCommerce, Multimedia and Intra/Extranet solutions for various corporations. He also moderates the Dreamweaver Talk List, sharing his knowledge, tips/tricks and experiences.

Chris Flick curently is the art director and Web master at a prominent consulting firm in Northern Virginia where his main responsibility is to help the clients in his firm establish a world-wide, international presence on the Web.

Product Details

• Paperback: 792 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735712727
• ISBN-13: 978-0735712720
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,393,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Having been involved with Post Secondary education for over a decade and an active member of the international, national and local New Media Communities, I have jammed a lot of experience into a relatively short time frame. Ten books in eight years, a ton of speaking engagements , Adobe Education Leader, Adobe Community Professional, Community MX partner and other activities are a good example of that one. The biggest honor so far has been my being lumped in with a group of 10 influential Flash Designers that Adobe pulled together to celebrate the 10'th anniversary of Flash.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book accomplished it's goal..., December 10, 2002

By 

Stephanie Sullivan (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Web Sites with Macromedia Studio MX (Paperback)

I purchased the whole Studio MX shortly after it was released. Dreamweaver is my main tool on a daily basis. Though I've used Freehand and Flash, it's been a while. I was thrilled to find a book that could bring me up to speed on the programs I'm less familiar with as well as give me tips on the whole line.

Not only does this book give you information about each product and their integration, but it gives a great overview of the entire production process. There are a lot of books that give you the "hows" of building; this one also gives you the "whys." I personally loved the chapter about typography unlike a previous reviewer. If more web designer/developers paid attention to this type of information, the web would be a better place.

Some of you have been building sites for years. Others are just getting started. Everyone will learn a great deal. We all do things differently and sometimes we get stuck in a rut. Pick up some new tips and methods. A great book to add to your reference library.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Neither here nor there, and no bang for your bucks, May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Building Web Sites with Macromedia Studio MX (Paperback)

I agree with the recommendations of some of the previous reviewers to consider Amazon reader recommendations carefully before you purchase this book.

If you are expecting a practical "how to" guide that will get you up and running with the MX Studio applications, a handy reference that will live along side your computer that's full of carefully detailed explanations, or a guide to efficient workflow by sharing tasks among the applications, then either "The Macromedia Studio MX Bible" or "Dummies" guide will give you so much more in terms of information and advice.

The focus of this book is more about working with a team of developers, each of which talks specifically about an application or two, rather than the nitty gritty of how to get a lot of tasks accomplished yourself. But when it comes to process analysis and integrating motion and static web design with database and content management, Hillman Curtis' "MTIV: Process, Inspiration and Practice for the New Media Designer " is a much more thorough and in depth analysis of both the creative, development, problem solving aspects of interaction design.

For the same price or for less money, any of books I mentioned above will give you much more information in a more logical and practical format, than this book.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Should have read the reviews more carefully, January 31, 2003

By 

mxreader (Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Web Sites with Macromedia Studio MX (Paperback)

I was expecting to learn more than just about how a group of web designers build websites with StudioMX. This book got high marks from the other reviewers, but in my opinion the marks were for what it teaches about "work flow" and team work. If thats what you are looking for then great. I ranked this book based on its worth for teaching about the software.

Overall it is verbose, wasted much valuable time and not a good teaching book (not to mention typhos). If you are looking to learn more about Dreamweaver or Fireworks or Flash or Freehand, this book is not for you. Better to spend the cash on dedicated books even though you may spend more in the end (but you will likely learn more thoroughly too). For me this book has not been a good investment of time and money.

This book is probably better suited for those that are working as a team with the different skill sets and interested in figuring out how Studio MX can fit in as a tool.