Customer Reviews

Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique (With CD-ROM)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Its been a long time since I've come across a computer book as good as Dreamwevaer MX: Design and Technique. It has great introductory/intermediate coverage of Dreamweaver - working with text, images, hyperlinks, tables, frames, library items, tempaltes, site management tools, bahaviors, CSS, layers, timeline tool, and dynamic site sutff.

However, I think the best thing about this book is the way its written. The author writes in a really understandable informal style which is neither too complicated, nor too simple. I know it sounds silly, but when you read this book, it feels like the auther is right there in the room with you having a nice discussion.

The content is well structured and very logical. The primary method of instruction is step-by-step. You get walked through the process of creating, doing, and designing. In the last section of the book (intro to creating dynamic sites), you have the opportunity of doing a more lengthy "real world" project.

I can't recommend the book enough...go out and buy it and I garuntee you'll be happy.

DREAMWEAVER MX
AUTHOR: Ethan Watrall
PUBLISHER: Sybex
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades

BOOK REVIEW: Web site design - how do you do it? This book, Dreamweaver MX, will help answer that question. To begin, there is a CD included with the book that contains the following programs and information: chapter files, Dreamweaver MX, Extension Manager, IE6, Shockwave, Flash MX, Flash Player 6, Fireworks MX, Netscape 6.2, Quick Time and Photoshop 6 Learning Studio. If for no other reason, these programs and information are worth the price of the book. BUT you get lots more.

Chapter2 explains the DW interface. As with any new program, this is a great place to start. The book continues on with an explanation of customizing the MX environment so you are comfortable and can get around easily.

Of course, there are the normal chapters with information on text, images, hyperlinks, tables, frames and CSS. Don't forget layers, animation with a time line and dynamic data base drive applications can also be found within these pages. Can you insert a records page? Or how about a user registration or a simple search engine? No? Then pick up a copy of Dreamweaver MX and read through it.

By the time you have finished reading it, you will have all the tools and information you need to work in Dreamweaver MX and be on your way to creating wonderful web pages.

I bought Dreamwevaer MX: Design and Technique at the same time that I bouth the authors' Flash MX book (Flash MX Savvy), and was absolutely delighted with the purchase. The book is a great advanced intro (or low level intermediate) book to the wonderful world of Dreamwevaer MX. The author covers everything from adding text to creating a simple databse site. Its written well and wasn't too dificult to understand or so simple that it would be better suited for a child (like the Dummies sereis).

That other thing that I loved about that book was that it dedicated an entire chapter to fundamental interactive design issues: bandwidth conscious design, informaiton architecture, creating inuitive navigation, etc. The other chapters also have sidebars (called "Design Reminders") that give little design related tidbits. This is a great way of doing things! You not only get the kind of Dreamweaver skills you want, but you also get an intro to design stuff as well!

The bottom line is that Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique is the perfect Dreamweaver book. A proven author and great content...ther perfect combination!

DreamWever MX: Design and Technique is easily one of the better DreamWaver books on the market these days. It features a serious introduction to most aspects of DreamWeaver, and ushers readers onto more intermediate topics. It isn't too much, and it isn't too little...its coverage of DreamWeaver is just right.

The only complaint that I've got (hence the 4 stars instead of 5) is that I would have liked to have seen a litlte more emphasis placed on DreamWeaver's coding tools. Don't let this discourage you from buying the book, however, as its still one of the best purchases I've made in a while.

Yes, this book was so good that I almost cried. There are so few books out there for people who aren't total beginners and aren't total experts. Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique totally fills this vital "in-between" niche. Not only does it cover Dreamweaver from the most basic topics (adding text, images, etc) to more advanced topics (DHTML, intro to databse sites), it also has some great design oriented content as well. The first chapter in the book talks about the basic principles of interactive design...something that I think is missing from many web tool books.

Overall, the book is written really well. The author obviously knows exactly what he's doing, and knows how to transmit that to a reader. The topics are organized perfectly. Finally, I thought it was great that the book had such a slick and sexy design.

Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique is hands down, the best introductory/intermediate Dreamweaver MX book I've ever read. It covers the whole gambit, from the most simple page creation stuff to an introduction to creating dynamic pages. Along the way, the author covers images, tables, frames, library items and tempaltes, site managament, CSS, layers, behaviors, and the timeline tool. On top of this, the first chapter in the book is pure web design topics..no Dreamwever, just design stuff (like information architecture, designing intuitive navigation, storyboarding, etc.). This is something that is definitely lacking from many Dreamweaver books.

I can't say enough good about the book. Its writetn well - targeted at the intro and intermediate market. Its fun and easy to read, and can be used as a comprehensive course or a solid reference.

I initially purchased this book based on the fact that it covers both design issues and Dreamweaver MX techniques. Don't get me wrong, this is a tool book that focuses on Dreamweaver. However, it features far more design related info/discussion than almost any other tool book that I've run across. First off, the whole first chaper related to design issues (designing intuitive navigation, information design and architecture, the produciton process, etc.). On top of that, throughoutthe book you'll find "Design Reminders" that bring important design issues to light in the context of the Dreamweaver techniques discussions.

So, to say that ths book "is just baout the steps" (like one of the other reviews posted) is complete craziness.

The bottom line is that Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique is a great book for those wanting to either get started with Dreamweaver MX or further their skills with the program.

During my career as a web designer, I've read lots of intro/intermediate books of Dreamweaver, and none of them compare to this one. This isn't one of those huge, cover everything kinds of books. Its a great book for people just getting started out with Dreamweaver or wanting to get ahead with their skills. Its written very very well, and covers all sorts of stuff from basic page creation to creating basic dynamic applications. Also, the author spends some time tlaking about non-tool web design issues - somehitng that you don't see that often in these sorts of books.

This book is definitely a great buy and will serve you well.

If you are new to Dreamweaver, then I'd suggest buying this book. It provides you with a basic foundation. However, I do not recommend this for intermediate to advanced users because of the contents that are covered in the book. It is designed for beginning Dreamweaver users.

I must say, I bought this book on the strength of the glowing reviews everyone here has given this book and all I can say after 3 months with it, I'm giving up and buying something else. Yes, the book is clearly written, but if you are an absolute novice like me, the "WHY's" of what you are doing are missing. The book explains in detail this step and that step but WHY are you doing it? The author does not show the final outcome of your actions. Therefore, your exercises have no meaning. So many computer software books are written this way today by people who expect the reader to know something about what they are trying so desperately to learn in the first place. My advice to them: lighten up, come down to earth like the rest of us. If you have something to say, say it with purpose. Put yourself in the place of the people who are actually buying your books. Very disturbing. MUST TO AVOID IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER.