Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004: Training from the Source (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Khristine Annwn Page (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321219198 | ISBN-13: 978-0321219190 | Publication Date: November 16, 2003 | Edition: 3

Learning is doing--which means you're guaranteed to expand your skill set exponentially as you work your way through the 18 project-based tutorials that form the core of this volume on Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX 2004. With its powerful combination of visual layout tools, application development features, and code editing support, Dreamweaver MX 2004 really is a Web designer's dream, and Macromedia's official guide shows you how to transform your dream projects into real-life success stories by creating and maintaining Web sites in an environment that integrates both visual editing and code editing. By re-creating the book's sample Web site, you'll learn the skills and techniques necessary to create your own widely accessible sites. In addition to the basics of creating a Web page that incorporates text, graphics and tables, you'll learn about all that's new in Dreamweaver MX 2004: dynamic cross-browser validation, improved CSS support, built-in graphics editing, and more. The companion CD-ROM contains all of the lesson files as well as a free trial version of Dreamweaver MX 2004.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learning is doing--which means you're guaranteed to expand your skill set exponentially as you work your way through the 18 project-based tutorials that form the core of this volume on Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX 2004. With its powerful combination of visual layout tools, application development features, and code editing support, Dreamweaver MX 2004 really is a Web designer's dream, and Macromedia's official guide shows you how to transform your dream projects into real-life success stories by creating and maintaining Web sites in an environment that integrates both visual editing and code editing. By re-creating the book's sample Web site, you'll learn the skills and techniques necessary to create your own widely accessible sites. In addition to the basics of creating a Web page that incorporates text, graphics and tables, you'll learn about all that's new in Dreamweaver MX 2004: dynamic cross-browser validation, improved CSS support, built-in graphics editing, and more. The companion CD-ROM contains all of the lesson files as well as a free trial version of Dreamweaver MX 2004.

About the Author

Khristine Annwn Page works as the Senior Web Designer at Ideum, a company devoted to producing Web sites for museums, non-profits, and socially responsible companies. She is the Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of Crescent Magazine, and a Designer for NorthWind Studios. She also teaches at San Francisco State University's Multimedia Studies program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Macromedia Press; 3 edition (November 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321219198
• ISBN-13: 978-0321219190
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #973,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive yet simple, April 28, 2004

By 

AJShadow "AJShadow from San Jose" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004: Training from the Source (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

In my attempt to learn Dreamweaver MX 2004 I purchased 5 books on the subject and scoured through dozens of others to find the most comprehensive yet easy to understand book. This book tops the list in both categories. Outlined below are some of the most helpful and useful features in this book.

1. Written in plain English without coming across as overly technical and with a full explanation of "WHY" things are done the way they are.

2. Step-by-step tutorials that not only walk you through the exercise, but also explain ALL the options available to you for each command/segment. This leaves you the option of either going through the options or just breezing through the basic exercises.

3. Helpful "tips and notes" are also a part of each step to introduce the reader to different methods of performing the same function.

4. Very well structured (chapter listing below):

a. Dreamweaver Basics
b. Adding Content to a Page
c. Working with Graphics
d. Creating Links
e. Designing with Tables
f. Developing Style Sheets
g. Using Library Items
h. Using Templates
i. Creating Frames
j. Creating Forms
k. Adding User Interactivity
l. Managing Your Site
m. Accessibility and Testing
n. Editing The Code
o. Using Find and Replace
p. Creating Layers
q. Extending Dreamweaver

5. Easy enough to be used as a reference book after you complete the tutorials.

Best book for your dollars, bar-none!

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, November 28, 2003

By 

S. King "zinlover" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004: Training from the Source (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004: Training from the Source is a project based book with the goal of learning Dreamweaver 2004 in a hands on approach. There are 17 lessons and other resource material. The topic is lighthouses. Each chapter builds on past concepts taught and progresses in a logical manner. Each chapter contains very concise step by step directions. Screen shots are abundent. The additional tips and notes are very useful. The production techniques are valuable. After finishing the book I went and visited two of the lighthouses. Excellent!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, June 9, 2004

By 

Kevin Phillips (Dexter, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004: Training from the Source (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

In college I used to do some freelance web design using Dreamweaver/Fireworks 4. Then I moved on to other career paths, and 3 years later I want to get back into web development. I got a demo of Dreamweaver MX, and I was totally lost. At the recommendation of my local Macromedia User Group Admin, I checked out this book. It was a perfect combination of review (the small amount of things I remembered from 4) and all of the great new functions.

I really liked how the author integrated all of the lessons within the framework of the "Lights of the Coast" website. (Even though I catch myself getting really tired of lighthouses by the time I was done). The lessons were the right length to get a firm understanding, without overkill or boring me to sleep. The steps for the most part we straight forward, and in bold type. There were a few sections where I was confused if the author wanted me to perform an action, or if it was just a side note (not in bold type). A couple extra screenshots through longer lessons could have relieved some confusion if I was really doing things correctly.

I am surprised the author spent as much time with frames and tables, and only one chapter on CSS. But I also understand that this is a basics book, and they wanted to cover the major functionalities. Luckily most of the lessons did not require the previous lesson to be complete, so the reader is able to jump around. (Skipping frames didn't stop me from learning about forms). And even if they did the completed lesson files were already available.

In summary, I highly recommend this book to any newcomer or out of practice user like myself. The lessons were organized with quality content. The ability to pick and choose from topics is essential. I'm sure I will read this book a few more times before I move on. I also look forward to reading more "From the Source" books, especially the Flash and Dreamweaver w/ PHP, Coldfusion. 5 out of 5