Customer Reviews

Real World Adobe(R) GoLive(R) 5

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

 

 

Being a GoLive consultant, I am always answering the question: "Are there any good books on GoLive?" And for the longest time (actually years!), I had to shrug my shoulders and say, "Well, no. Not really." But since RWAGL4 came out in late 1999, my answer has changed. Just two days ago I said, "Yes. Yes there is a good book. Actually, it's very good."

And RWGL5 *is* very good.

GoLive 5.0, I believe, has a *deceptively* intuitive interface. But when you start trying to do something, it's easy to get lost in a sea of palettes and windows. RWGL5 clears up the interface kudzu within the first chapter. Actually, as the book notes, one of the co-authors is sympathetic to new users because he struggled when he first started using CyberStudio -- GoLive's ancestor. (So did I.)

If you're an intermediate or advanced user, you'll like how this book is organized. It's easy to find just what you're looking for. There's a brief overview section noting the major topics; a VERY detailed table of contents, and a (finally!) useful cross-referenced index. [If you've ever tried to find anything in a GoLive (or CyberStudio) manual, you'll love this.]

Every thing is covered in great detail, but the writing style keeps you interested and engaged. The authors obviously enjoyed writing this. They handle more advanced topics (Animation, JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets) using apt metaphors, countless annotated screen shots, and real world examples to help you get things done quickly -- and well. And if you get stuck, they have a useful web site and an active discussion list. (They actually answer your questions. :)

But for me, some of the best nuggets are the scores of tips, side bars, and errata. The authors extract the most useful features, tips, and shortcuts -- things that you would never discover without lots of time spent in forums and mailing lists.

I own every book, manual, video, and interactive CD-ROM ever written or produced about GoLive and CyberStudio. I've long since packed them away in boxes. Except for two: RWAGL4 and RWAGL5. For now at least, they have no peer. Not even close.

This book is awesome!

I highly recommend Real World Adobe GoLive 5 to anyone serious about building web sites with Adobe GoLive. Whereas the Adobe User Guide just scratches the surface on most subjects, this book digs deep and delivers nuggets of pure gold. Finding detailed explanations of all the advanced features that makes GoLive the premier web editing tool are easily referenced (and cross-referenced.) Topics are covered in depth with step-by-step, "how to" instructions rather than dry, technical data only of interest to programers.

This book is definitely the main reference tool for the GoLive 5 power user. Users of the previous incarnations of GoLive, (Cyberstudio and GoLive 4,) will find the chapter covering the new features especially useful by quickly and easily bringing them up to date with the new version. New users of GoLive can learn how to apply the powerful, site-wide features of the application by following the clear, concise explanations provided by the book, thereby rapidly advancing them to a higher level of web site design and construction. Since the authors of the book, Glenn Fleishman and Jeff Carlson, are not affiliated with Adobe their candid, reliable comments about the strengths and weakness of the application are invaluable.

The authors are well aware of the problems encountered by daily users of GoLive because they moderate an email forum focusing on the subject of GoLive. RWGL5 takes full advantage of this communication between users who have had problems and others who have found solutions to these problems. The amalgamation of this vast store of advanced techniques and real world (pun intended) solutions gives the book a depth that no other book on the subject could possibly hope to match.

As a teacher of web site editing classes, I know that I can only expect my students to absorb so much of my explanations of the features of GoLive that are not covered in the Adobe User Guide. I will encourage each of my students to get the Real World Adobe GoLive book, not just to supplement what I have taught them, but also as a ready reference to reiterate the lessons they have already learned. I myself learn something new every time I pick up the book.

In short, to learn how to quickly and easily build large, complex, and powerful web sites, Real World Adobe GoLive 5 is the first, (and perhaps only,) instructional manual you will need.

I am not a programmer or graphic designer, and fell into writing a web-site through the backdoor. I have been using GoLive for about a year, and thought I was doing pretty well with it (when I compared my site to the design books recommendations, we were doing pretty good). I was overwhelmed, however, with the number of palettes when I upgraded to 5.0, and so bought the book. I can't believe how little of GoLive's capabilities I was using, even though I had read the manual! My web-site is now orders of magnitude easier to manage, and more streamlined. I both read the book cover-to-cover (it really didn't take that long, and I didn't fall asleep while reading even once!), and I keep it by my computer for quick reference.

I've read a lot of good books on computers, graphics, etc., in order to learn what the heck I'm doing. But none of them have been indispensable, and I would readily loan the others to friends. This one, however, is MINE, MINE, MINE!

If you are new and want to make a website this book is not for you. I t gives you the details and explanations of the commands and features, but will not teach you that where you should use grids or tables. If you are an intermediate user and want to have a complete control on golive this is for you. Sorry to say this book does not include any real life project so user will get an idea how to work. It is just like a manual. you have to read the book a-z to make a site.

Real World Adobe GoLive 5 is a great reference for text for GoLive 5. The GoLive manual that comes with GoLive 5 covers the basics. However, Real World Adobe GoLive 5 is the book you want to have to be productive with GoLive. From the novice to the experienced user, Real World Adobe GoLive 5 is the book to have. The chapters supply useful information that can save time and increase one's productivity. Real World Adobe GoLive 5 is very through (e.g., the section on GoLive inspectors is 90 pages long)! Real World Adobe GoLive 5 covers everything from the basics to site management. Advanced features (e.g., CSS, Animation) are also covered. I would recommend Real World Adobe GoLive 5 to anyone who wants to get the most out of GoLive 5.

Everything about this book is GREAT: * presents a very thorough coverage of the GoLive 5 interface * HIGHLIGHTS new features of GoLive 5 * illustrations are used wisely and appropriately (no wastage of paper) * points out possible pitfalls and problems with different browser versions * gives me the feeling that the authors are sharing their experiences --- a no-holds barred. Truly commendable.

Every GoLive 5 user should get this impressive book if they want to do serious things with GoLive 5. Get it, read it! It is truly a book that makes one realize the true power of GoLive 5. Deserve more than 5 stars.

Jeff Carlson and Glenn Fleishman took their great book, Real World GoLive 4 and built on the foundation to produce this outstanding book on web site development using Adobe System's premier tool - GoLive 5.0

It's all here - Tables, Frames, JavaScript, Forms, CSS, GoLive Actions and new sections in ASP via Dynamic Link, etc.

Coupled with their companion web site to their books (http://www.realworldgolive.com/) and an e-mail list where you can expand on the information provided here - you have a great resource to successfully design, develop and maintain web sites.

If this is the only book you buy on Adobe GoLive 5.0 you will probably find it's the only one you need.

I've been using GoLive since version 2.0 when it was called CyberStudio. Though I haven't become super-savvy with the program, I've known a enough to get by and make many high-impact websites. When I visit a new website with a feature I like, I try to figure out how they do it. That's why I bought this book.

I wanted to learn more about CSS (cascading style sheets), but this book DID NOT teach me how to make them. It explained what they were, where they came from, what the different types were, how they get used, what they can do, ways to use them, etc, etc., but it did not include simple step-by-step directions for creating them. It EXPLAINED how to make them in a series of short paragraphs, but that isn't much use at all.

They should have had a mini tutorial for it such as: Step 1. Create a new page Step 2. Type some text Step 3. Open the CSS Inspector Step 4. Highlight some of the text you wrote Step 5. Select options X,Y, and Z in the CSS Inspector Step 6. blah, blah, blah

That would have made this book so much better. Perhaps some people can learn by means of explanation without diagrams or specific instruction, but I'm not one of them. I prefer step-by-step help.

Imagine if you wanted to rebuild the engine on your car, and your only instructions were this: "The trick to rebuilding your engine is to remove it from your vehicle. Once removed from your vehicle you can put it on the floor or on a bench to take it apart. Once you've taken it apart, put it back together with all new parts and then put it back in your car."

Would you attempt to rebuild yor car if the instructions were phrased like that? Probably not, which is why I won't recommend this book to anybody except experts wanting to further their already savvy GoLive skills. Don't get me wrong, the book is crammed full of info and tips on a mountain of topics, but unless you know how to use all or most of GoLive's features, it won't serve you much help.

The problem with Real World GoLive 5 (RWGL5) is that it is too technical (emphasis on the too). The first two chapters alone are dedicated to the myriad of inspectors found inside GL5. The remaining 30 chapters have a lot if not too much information crammed into them. You should see my RWGL5 book plastered with at least 200 sticky notes for futue reference. I wish there was a brief book to summarize my sticky notes.

RWGL5 or any book you find on GL5 should contain a CD tutorial that visually walks the user through the complex maze of inspectors and palettes. Adults learn by doing, not by reading.

A final thumbs down to the author's website dedicated to RWGL5 that promises to offer much more information, tutorials, tips and tricks (etc., not found in the book). Its nothing more than a promotional website hawking the book.

I advise anyone seriously interested in buying this book to stop by B&Ns and thumb through the book before buying. I wish I had.

Casey

Real World GoLive is not well written or edited. The text is laborious to read.