Customer Reviews

Dreamweaver UltraDev 4: A Beginner's Guide

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

 

 

I've been trying to come to grips with the complicated software package known as UltraDev. After trying to read several of the lightweight entries (the Friends of Ed book and the 21 days book) I was left worse than when I started. They both dealt with very specific issues that did not help me in the least. The 21 days book in particular was utterly useless, as it dealt with a database known as MySQL that I have no interest in learning.

This book is a welcome change of pace. It reads well for a beginner, yet details some of the different aspects of building a dynamic Web site, such as writing SQL, deciding on a server model to work with, and installing extensions. Brilliant book, I must say, and a completely different approach than the Friends of Ed nonsense.

The authors also supplement the book with an impressive site full of tutorials and extensions for Ultradev(...), and the authors themselves can be spotted helping out newbies in the Macromedia forums. That's what I call service, and it makes the minimal price tag on this book seem absurdly low.

This book is touted as a beginner's guide, and that's exactly what it delivers. I read some of the other beginning level books out there, but this is clearly the best of the lot. Well thought-out practical examples, and more importantly, introductions to all of the different technologies that are required of a Web developer. Two thumbs up! 6 stars!

The authors also maintain a Web site ... and it is a great source for more tutorials and extensions. These are the same guys who wrote the classic Complete Reference book for UltraDev.

I really enjoyed this book and learned a LOT from it.. I would recommend it to anyone that has never used DW and wants to.

The first couple of chapters are obsessed with listing every option in every Menu. This is not the most interesting way to begin learning Dreamweaver. A third of the way through the book and all you have are blank files listed in your site manager. Too longwinded and not very user friendly. The little questions at the end of each chapter are unnecessary. You don't want to sit and read about it, you want practical hands-on experience as provided in the tutorials in Friends of Ed books.

This book should bring something new regarding to the attached tutorial in the Ultradiv software rather than complicating informations that are discussed. Nevertheless, the book is badly discussing the subjects. Very bad organized. the auther didn't even mention the details or the steps of doing such applications. he only showed a few steps of some silly subjects that can be known without this book. This book is more likely kids story book, not an application book.
After all, i think that: reading the tutorial and help of the Ultradiv software is much much worthy than going into this bad book. buy yourself some ice cream instead of wasting your money on this book!