I'm not a professional web site builder, by any means. I have some very limited and very basic experience building and maintaining very simple sites for my husband's, my son's, and my daughter's businesses. Not template based, but nothing elaborate, just functional, clean-looking and basic. They were built with the now-defunct (and much simpler) Front Page program. Dreamweaver is a bit more complex, a lot more versatile, and has a bit of a learning curve. But, with this book, I think I can handle the transition.
I want to do something a little different to my websites (one hasn't changed anything but the price list in 11 years!) and make them look a little different and more up-to-date. This book is just perfect for me: it doesn't assume I already know what to do or am familiar with the program but, at the same time, it doesn't assume I'm stupid (despite the name).
Things I'm finding particularly helpful:
--The tone of the book is in everyday language, clear, and logical.
--Previous knowledge is not assumed, but the book is relevant and helpful to anyone (from complete amateurs to professionals who want to get up to speed on DW CS5).
--The information is presented in a sequential manner and given its proper weight. (Everything is not equally important, not everything applies to you, some things do apply and must be done this way, etc.)
--Technical terms are very clearly explained, as are correct usage, possible pitfalls, and available choices.
--While not specifically a web-design book, it does bring you up to date on what current trends in design and implementation are and in how building a website today is so different from a decade ago (since web pages are no longer just viewed by computer monitors and visitors expect more.)
--It is specifically a Dreamweaver CS5 book and it does cover every aspect of the program: what is available in DW, what it does, how to use it correctly step-by-step, and how to make it all come together. It is well indexed and well-organized by general topic and increasing complexity. Within the sections, text is easy-to-read and well laid out. The usual "for dummies" iconography appears.
--The author suggests other sources of relevant information and resources. She provides a ton of websites where you can find additional information on whatever topic she is discussing in that section. Ex: how to prevent the contact e-mails you provide from being collected by e-mail spammers (a problem my three websites have been plagued with).
Whether you want to build a first site from a template with just text and images or design an elaborate and interactive site with shopping cart and multi-media presentations, Janine Warner walks you through the steps in a common sense way. She not only tells you how to do it, but helps you understand what is happening behind the scenes and how it fits in the over-all process.
I first heard of the author while looking at Kelby Training online courses. I saw her introduction to the Dreamweaver course she conducts there and was very impressed by her teaching style. When I saw that she was the author of this book, I chose it instead of the other books that were listed and I think I made the right choice.
