Customer Reviews

Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Dreamweaver CS4 is the latest version of the popular web editing software from Abobe. There are lots of new features in this version (compared to CS3) such as Live View: a better way to see how your page works without having to open it up in a separate browser, better integration for JavaScript and Ajax, easier interface for finding and updating source and include files attached to your web pages, cleaner CSS code created and much more.

For the newbie or existing user of Dreamweaver, there is lots to learn in this new version and the book Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual is a great way to get started on learning Dreamweaver or get quick updates on the new things CS4 has to offer.

Of course this book is big (over 1000 pages) but it is going to be a complete learning reference for newbie's and well as good reference for existing users of the tool.

Compared to other Dreamweaver books I have, it makes it really easy to find exactly what you want with the clear and concise headings and subheading at the top of each page. I hate books that make you hunt around for pages trying to find what area of the book you are in.

The book is divided into 6 main sections:

1. A Guided Tour: This is for the newbie who want to learn the basics of the new CS4 interface and how to use some of the basic tools for creating web pages.

2. Building a Better Web Page: This takes in depth of advanced CSS layout and design (liquid layouts, fixed layouts, elastic layouts, positioning of elements, navigation, etc.) This section alone is more information than any Dreamweaver book I've read before on layout design.

3. Bringing Your Pages to Life: This teached you how to create web forms (HTML) and add the new Spry (JavaScript library) components to your page. Spry was added to the CS3 version of Dreamweaver (you can get it separately if you want), and was vastly improved in this version of Dreamweaver. Having Spry integrated with Dreamweaver makes it 100x easier to use as opposed to adding it manually by yourself.

4. Building a Web Site: This section deals with the file and site management of Dreamweaver. Not only do you have to design and code your web pages, but you need a site management tool to keep track of all you files (.html, gif, .css, etc) and track all the updates other people may make to them as well if your working in a group. Even if you working alone on a web site, it really is important to manage your files efficiently.

5. Dreamweaver CS4 Power: This section explains the unique tools that it has to offer like libraries and templates. Dreamweaver (with most previous versions) allows you to create snipets of code and store them as a code library to be used later. These pieces of code can be used anywhere on your website and are controlled and organized by Dreamweaver automatically. Templates are just what they sound like...You can create templates in Dreamweaver and reuse them for any website you create. It eliminates you having to re-write or re-copy-and-paste your code each time you have the same section on multiple pages. It have be HTML or CSS or both that can be re-used. A great feature and improved in CS4.

6. Dynamic Dreamweaver: This section is very important and explained very well from a coding/programming standpoint. Websites today are usually using some sort of database for retrieving lots of the website's content. With Dreamweaver you can link to a database (MySQL, MS Access, Cold Fusion --- not SQL Server) and use Dreamweaver's wizards to help you create dynamic web sites. It makes it easier than having you to know lots code/programming concepts. Dreamweaver can help you create sessions (tracking visitors from multiple pages) cookies (remember visitors from each visit) and much more. The author explains these more advanced techniques very nicely and without too much "techno jargon".

The last chapter is focused on another advanced topic with XSLT and XML. This is how you can style and design your web pages from data transferred from any kind of datasource and format with XML and XSLT. Many websites today are using XML/XSLT no matter what back-end they are using. A very unique and helpful addition to a Dreamweaver book.

This book should be in everybody's library no matter what the skill level. It covers all the basics for the beginner and many advanced topics for the seasoned veteran of Dreamweaver.

A great book.

Those who need to get up to speed quickly on the intricacies of Dreamweaver CS4 would do well to grab onto this book. The author has a complete grasp on the subject matter and is able to communicate it with such ease that learning is almost effortless. Not only does he cover every aspect of the program, he also provides a full-bodied primer on Cascading Style Sheets and database websites. This is a big book with lots of stuff in it. But, as the Missing Manual series' tag line states, this IS the book that should have been in the box. If you are absolutely new to Dreamweaver, you won't find a better book. If you are upgrading from CS3 or an earlier version, you'll find the help you need. Highly recommended.

This welcome book by David McFarland explains Adobe's new version of Dreamweaver in both basic and advanced terms. It is a competent book for all users. On reading the book, I was surprised at what I did not know about basic web design and the advent of the all-encompassing CSS. As a relative novice I was surprised at the easy-to-understand tutorials scattered throughout the book. I also appreciated McFarland's unique sense of humour. Advanced web support also accompanies this book. Overall, my introduction to Dreamweaver has been made that much more easy by this 'missing' manual. My only criticism is its size. Two volumes may have been easier to hold. This is the workout version.

I purchased three books to help me learn Dreamweaver:

Dreamsweaver CS4 for Dummies
Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual (this book)
The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax and PHP

I started with Dreamweaver CS4 for Dummies, which I found to be a pretty good book. I was able to read it cover to cover (though it's not necessary to do so to get started). In addition to a good basic overview, it had a couple of very helpful tips in a chapter called "10 Resources You Might Need."

As my design became more detailed, I felt the need for a book that went into more depth and bought the other two books listed above. I like both books, but find I rely on The Missing Manual the most. Its writing is clear and easy to follow. The numerous tutorials give step-by-step instructions for a beginner on how to accomplish various tasks, with more advanced details included in the text.

I like The Essential Guide as well, but since I'm not using PHP, I find that there are areas where the advice they give simply doesn't work for me. For example, when I wanted to learn more about using templates, The Essential Guide gave only a very basic explanation, then went into far more detail about using PHP "includes" instead. While I agree that the PHP "includes" are probably the better choice, it's not one that is available to me since I don't have a PHP testing server (and don't want to go through the complexity of setting one up on my home computer). If you are using PHP, then this is definitely the book to get.

All in all, if I had to recommend one book to get started, it would be For Dummies, particularly if your needs are very simple and/or you're completely new to web site design. For those who want to move beyond the basics, I like The Missing Manual the best. This book could also be used by beginners as long as you're not put off by its length -- with over 1,000 pages, it's not one you'll be able to read cover to cover. I think The Essential Guide is best suited for those who want to create very complex designs, especially those that use PHP. It, too, is very clearly written, but more intimidating to a beginner.

Dreamweaver is a great equalizer in web design. It lets people who have little to no knowledge of programming create solid websites very quickly and it helps seasoned web designers do incredible work as well.

This book is well written and clearly explains not only what the program can do but the underlying concepts that make web pages do what they do. You learn about how websites function, not just how to use this product- which is very helpful when you're creating a site not from the tutorials.

The two downsides to this book: all of the supplemental tutorial pieces (websites, graphics, etc.) that are used in the book are online and not on a CD. Yes, this helps cut the costs, but when you're just starting out, it seems like a bit of a chore (first rule of web design: Don't make me think!).
The other downside: this book is indeed heavy. Its very readable and packed with information, but the size will wear you down when you're just getting started and reading for more than just a few minutes. On the plus side, you are getting your money's worth and people will think you are very smart reading this massive tome.

In a couple of hours reading the book and following along on Dreamweaver, I had a functioning multi-page personal test page. A great place to get started. If I could, I would give this 4.5 stars.

I bought this because I have no experience with Adobe products AND I have never made a website. I am 67 pages in, and already made a website. I am sure I will learn a lot of neat tricks as I continue with the remaining 1,000 pages. :)

Anyone who bought dreamweaver, should also buy this FANTASTIC book.

Any owner of Dreamweaver and any library catering to computer program owners needs David Sawyer McFarland's DREAMWEAVER CS4: THE MISSING MANUAL. It packs in over a thousand pages of detail: everything from building a beginner's web site using Dreamweaver to design specs, interactive forms, and over a hundred pages of step-by-step tutorials. A 'must' for any Dreamweaver owner.

I've been using pc's since 1980. I've purchased a lot of software manuals. Nowadays it's ridiculous - you drop $1200 on a piece of software and it includes no manual, no quick help guide, nothing. Adobe oughta be ashamed of itself. It wastes $$ on fancy packaging, but doesn't invest a dime to provide a manual for its software. This business about "looking it up online" in a help system is bogus. You don't learn how to use software that way. You need a book you can leaf through, exploring topics. And I believe a software publisher absolutely has an obligation to deliver a complete manual with its product.

That said, McFarland's book about Dreamweaver is easily the best written, best organized, most helpful manual I've ever bought or read. Don't try to use Dreamweaver without it. It's all in here. I don't usually read an entire book like this because I don't need all of it - but I've been reading this thing for pleasure when I go to bed at night! I learn something new every time I crack it open. McFarland tells it clearly and completely. You can tell he's not just a writer - he's a "user." And he understands how users and programmers think about software. He anticipates your questions and delivers "how to" and "why" with intelligence and aplomb. He doesn't just show you how to use a feature; he teaches you techniques and how to approach tasks.

Now if he would only write a missing manual for every other piece of software I use... I'd buy it! Highly recommended!

Final note to Adobe: Just hire the guy to write your manuals and include them in the box and pay him handsomely. On the other hand, Adobe oughta just include a coupon for a copy of the book - that way McFarland won't have to omit any of the frank criticisms he shares about the software. My only request of him is that I wish the book would discuss more of the bugs in DW -- and DW is buggy.

Many thanks to McFarland for making my work easier and me more productive on Dreamweaver.

I am 67,retired, and have a web site just for fun and something to do. I built site was four years ago with Dreamweaver MX 2004.

When I got a new MAC, I also got dreamweaver CS4 and spent a frustrating month trying to use it. Mr. McFarland's book has made sense out of an overly complicated Dreamweaver program. It am very pleased with it and have found it extremely useful. I would highly recommend it, but only if you have a lot of time to digest it. CS4 on the other hand is still a pain in the butt due to its unnecessary complexity.

Ted Doyle

I'm starting up a web design business and didn't even know what I didn't know. I bought MANY books, but none have been as thoroughly useful as this one. I literally have it tabbed and flagged like a reference book. I first read it cover to cover, and now I refer to it regularly. If you're new to Dreamweaver CS4, this is the most important book you can own.