Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 Magic (Paperback)

by Massimo Foti (Author), Angela C. Buraglia (Author), Daniel Short (Author), Kim Cavanaugh (Author), Danilo Celic (Author), Kevin French (Author), Brad Halstead (Author), Joel Martinez (Author), Stephanie Sullivan (Author), Murray Summers (Author), Edoardo Zubler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

As a serious Web designer or developer, you'll want to do one thing and one thing only when you lay your hands on the latest version of Dreamweaver: Start tinkering with all its new features. Problem is that's hard to do on someone else's dime. With Dreamweaver MX 2004 Magic, you don't have to! In these pages, Dreamweaver wizards Mossimo Foti, Angela C. Buraglia, and Daniel Short and several other experts draw on their own professional experience to offer 12 real-world projects that let you explore Dreamweaver MX 2004 at your leisure. With a focus on areas that can be troublesome for professional users-whether because they present thorny issues or because they draw on completely new features-each lesson provides need-to-know tips, proven techniques, and best practices. By working through the step-by-step tutorials (whose project files and code you'll find on the accompanying CD), you soon will be finding your way around all of Dreamweaver MX 2004's new features: dynamic cross-browser validation, improved CSS support, built-in graphics editing, and more. In addition to the code listings and exercise files on the CD-ROM, you¿ll find videos that clearly demonstrate step by step all the procedures you need to complete in order to create the projects.

About the Author

Massimo Foti began using Dreamweaver on the very day the first beta was available, and he has used Dreamweaver ever since.

Massimo has been a prolific extension developer since the pioneering days of Dreamweaver 1. He is the creator of http://www.massimocorner.com, and winner of the Macromedia Best Extension Developer award in 2000 and Top New Extension for Dreamweaver MX. His extensions are featured on the Macromedia Exchange for Dreamweaver and have been featured in many books and magazines.

He is a certified Dreamweaver developer and certified Advanced ColdFusion developer. His tips, articles and custom tags for ColdFusion are available on http://www.cfmentor.com, the web site of the Italian CFUG.

Massimo works at http://www.amila.ch developing database driven websites using ColdFusion and PHP with different RDMSs, his work ranges from database design to server- and client-side programming for web-based applications.

An avid reader of computer books, he often works as tech editor, contributor, and reviewer for publishers like Osborne, New Riders, Glasshaus, and O'Reilly. Acknowledgment: Thanks to Angela and Dan for brilliantly taking care of all the dirty jobs, allowing me to just have fun with code. To all the people at http://www.amila.ch; most of my work on this book is inspired by what we do there day by day. As you may know, ColdFusion developers get the best women (even if Macromedia doesn't tell you about that); so once again I had the pleasure to work with the wonderful ladies at New Riders. Very special thanks to Federica and Tiziana, for all the times I sit in front of a PC and forget about the rest. You are the best things in my life.

Angela C. Buraglia used to be a makeup artist for independent film, but she needed a career that would allow her to work from home and raise her son. Although she intended only to be a web developer, life's path has led her to become that and more. She is perhaps best known as the founder of DreamweaverFAQ.com, a site dedicated to serving the Dreamweaver community which she continues to run today with Daniel Short. In addition to this book, Angela is also the co-author of Dreamweaver MX Killer Tips and Dreamweaver MX 2004 Killer Tips with Joseph Lowery. She was a contributing author to Dreamweaver MX Magic, the lead technical editor for the Dreamweaver MX Bible (Wiley), and a contributing author to ColdFusion MX Web Application Construction Kit (Macromedia Press). Long gone are the days of applying makeup; now Angela applies Behaviors and CSS to web sites¿and most importantly¿is home with her little boy.

Acknowledgment: Massimo, your guidance since I started Dreamweaver is really worth more than mere thanks. I'm not sure I could ever repay you (but keep reading). Daniel Short, this book just wouldn't be the same without your magic touch. Working with my best friend is always a pleasure. I couldn't have done this book without your help and support. Next time I see you two, count on dinner. I would be remiss to not mention all the people who have helped and inspired me throughout the years, unfortunately I can't name all of you in this small space. I am forever thankful to you nonetheless. Linda Bump, I've learned so much about the authoring process from you and I appreciate all you've done for me. Thanks to the team at New Riders. I must say that this has been one incredible group of people to work with; thank you to all of the contributing authors.

Daniel Short is the chief developer for Web Shorts Site Design as well as a devoted Team Macromedia Volunteer and uses almost the entire Macromedia Studio including Fireworks, ColdFusion, and Dreamweaver. He helps to maintain several HTML and Dreaweaver reference sites including http://www.dwfaq.com, for which he created the style changer and all ASP functionality, including the Snippets Exchange and the DWfaq Store.

He's also written articles for several resource sites, including AListApart.com, Spider-Food.net, the MM Designer and Developer Center (http://www.macromedia.com/desdev) and DWfaq.com. Dan is also a contributing author for the dynamic chapters in the Dreamweaver MX Bible (Wiley) and the previous edition of Dreamweaver MX Magic. He has also presented at several Dreamweaver conferences including the first two TODCONs and CFNorth.

Acknowledgment: I'd like to thank all of the wonderful people in this industry who have allowed me to stand on their shoulders so I could reach a little higher. I wouldn't be where I am today without the likes of Massimo (yes, even though you harass me about ColdFusion) and Angela helping me out day to day, whether through helping me learn or simply bombarding me with feature requests. And a special thanks to the Lindas, for keeping us artsy types in line and making sure that we produced the best material we could.

Kim Cavanaugh is a teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County (Florida) where he has been teaching middle school students web design using Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash since 1999. Kim is also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Community College where he teaches Dreamweaver and Flash.

The author of two beginner's guides for Dreamweaver and Fireworks (Osborne/McGraw-Hill), Kim has also developed course materials for the Learning Library (UK) and contributed to the Macromedia Studio MX Bible (Wiley). Kim has contributed numerous articles to Macromedia DevNet and writes extensively for CommunityMX.com, covering the full range of Studio MX products.

Kim lives in West Palm Beach with his wife and daughter and loves all things associated with life in South Florida¿especially warm weather, the Miami Dolphins, inshore fishing, and Jimmy Buffett tunes.

Acknowledgment: As always, my thanks to the beautiful brown-eyed girls in my life, Kayleen and Katy, for your love, support, and patience.

Every journey starts with an itch that needs to be scratched. For Danilo Celic, Jr., the itch was a two years' out-of-date company phone book. Because of that phone book, Danilo decided to take matters into his own hands, learning HTML via the hand code in Notepad-save-preview in browser-rinse/lather/repeat method of creating web pages. First introduced to Dreamweaver at version 1.2 from a cover CD off an imported computer magazine, Danilo soon learned that coding everything manually wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and jumped in using every version since. Currently a partner at CommunityMX.com and a member of Team Macromedia, Danilo frequently comes to the aid of budding extension developers in the Macromedia support forums. While the languages of the web world change continuously, the late hours stay the same, which is unfortunate for his lovely wife, Melissa.

Acknowledgment: Thanks to my wife, Melissa, for her unceasing patience when I spend way too much time on computer stuff. Also, thanks to Angela Buraglia for being so kind and wonderful, and mostly for never giving up when I say it can't be done. To Dan Short, for server space and not laughing too hard at my bad jokes. To Massimo, for his generosity in sharing his expertise in many topics, from coding to water polo coaching. And to the three of them for asking me to participate in this wonderful little project.

Kevin French is the founder and president of MM2K Inc., a full service Internet company. Formed in 1998 as simply a web design agency, MM2K has expanded its suite of services to also include Internet access, web hosting, dynamic application development, custom e-commerce solutions, and strategic Internet consulting. On the design and development front, Kevin is a self-taught Fireworks designer and a Macromedia Dreamweaver Developer Certified Professional. His design, development, and project management skills have earned him and his company numerous industry awards and accolades. His clientele list includes United States Governors, Senators, Congressman, professional athletes, state universities, and established corporations.

Kevin has been a lifetime resident of the beautiful New Jersey shore. When he is not "plugged in," you can find him mountain biking, hiking, and driving on the back country roads of New Jersey.

Acknowledgment: I would like to thank my beautiful girlfriend, Jocelyn, for supporting and motivating me to help me achieve my dreams. Together, the world and ultimate happiness is ours. I love you. I would like to thank Mark Haynes of Macromedia for sharing his vast knowledge of Fireworks since I began using it when it was first introduced. Mark is a true asset to Macromedia and the entire Macromedia community. Kleanthis Economou (http://www.projectfireworks.com) and Linda Rathberger (http://www.playingwithfire.com) have both been instrumental in my understanding of Fireworks and I am grateful for their assistance through the years.

Brad Halstead (http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com) is a computer software engineering technologist by trade, but deviated from that dream to join the Canadian military as an air weapons systems technician where he learned all about various computerized aircraft weapons systems as well as loading the munitions. Brad has dabbled in the web in various capacities since 1989 and left the military to become a full-time computer technician. Brad tries to play an active roll in the support forums for Dreamweaver, Contribute and Project Seven, as time permits him to. Brad is HTML 4.01 Certified, and has contributed content to Dreamweaver MX Magic and Inside Dreamweaver MX, in addition to being a technical editor for both publications. Recently, Brad co-authored Dreamweaver MX Templates and has been accepted as a Team Macromedia Member for Contribute.

He lives in London, Ontario with his cherished partner Brenda and their daughters Megan and Aman...

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (December 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735713782
• ISBN-13: 978-0735713789
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,298,715 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, January 29, 2004

By	Melody R. - See all my reviews

I've read each Dreamweaver Magic book since the first one. I was hoping this version would recapture some of the magic from the dreamweaver 4 book. I was wrong. Each year, the page count has grown thinner as has the subject matter. How could I have expected 12 projects to be given adequate coverage in 190 very sparce pages?

There is nothing in this book that is not available in free tutorials at various prominent sites such as macromedia.com; alistapart.com; projectseven.com; and others.

Foti's project had potential but was not developed nearly as much or to the extent it should have been to be really usable.

Buraglia's menu is very poor. In this day and age of standards and accessibility, she does a menu that is invisible to non-javascript browsers. Moreover, it's invisible in Dreamweaver and requires a convoluted dreamweaver workaround and extra style sheet that is not even explained.

The CSS switcher is not bad if you care to use server technology. But the technique does not seem sufficiently efficient from similar techniques I've seen in online tutorials and the there are no engaging samples of what one could actually do with it. Actually, the page designs used throughout the entire book are not very engaging or inspiring at all.

The CSS styling chapter rehashes information that can be found in dozens of free tutorials. There is nothing special about it and this disappointed me the most. I really enjoy CSS and from the promotional information was looking forward to this being the centerpiece of the book - something new and stimulating. The author did not at all seem comfortable with the subject.

While there may be some material that would appeal to beginners, I cannot recommend this book to anyone but a beginner. It's a Mulligan stew of disparate thoughts and techniques.

New Riders: You're killing what should have been a great series

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It gives you something to do, January 6, 2004

By	R. Sobkoviak "DHTML mentor / former radio per... (Chicagoland, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok...sure...I'm a big fan of the new Dreamweaver MX 2004 because it's based on Cascading Style Sheets...bravo Macromedia! But if I'm somebody new to Dreamweaver and CSS, how I am I going to wield this mighty power newly given me by Macromedia?? I'm going to buy this book and be tipped off by the best folks in the business...that's what I'm going to do.

Dreamweaver MX 2004 Magic is a great book with great ideas from great people. These are stepping off points--ideas to get you going that should help you teach yourself more. There's a CD-ROM, too, that does what it says it will--walk you through each of the projects.

This book is about empowering you to work the magic of which DW is capable. I'm not a big fan of the cookie-cutter, packaged up "put this on your site" approach that many Web sites use to deliver the bells and whistles folks expect of a modern Web site. What I do like is a book like this that teaches people how to create their own bells and whistles...stimulates the creativity to make something new. This book has interesting material for the newbie and for the pro...it's worth a look.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands on for all levels - workflow, January 24, 2004

By	J. K. Bowman (Southern, MS - USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If "hands on training" via projects is your perferred method of learning this book is sure to please. Excellently documented and written in easy-to-understand language, the beginning Dreamweaver user should feel right at home here. And thanks to the large number of subjects covered, experienced Dreamweaver users should find something here for them as well.

I think it's also worth mentioning that in addition to giving the reader all the how-to information, the book does a great job of demonstrating 'effecient workflow' in Dreamweaver which can sometimes be the most difficult thing to grasp - especially if you are just starting out. That said in addition to teaching the reader how to build better web sites, this book may just make the process for doing that seem a whole lot easier, too.