Dreamweaver MX 2004 Bible (Paperback)

~ Joseph W. Lowery (Author) "Dreamweaver MX 2004, by Macromedia, is a professional Web site development program for creating static pages and dynamic Web applications..." (more)
Key Phrases: browser compatibility chart, custom server behaviors, standard server behaviors, Show Region, Quick Tag Editor, Adding Multimedia Elements (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Packed with hands-on instruction and step by step tutorials, the Dreamweaver MX 2004 Bible is everything you need to harness the power of this amazing web development tool. Starting with the basics, expert author and well-known Dreamweaver guru Joe Lowery guides you through the ins and outs of Dreamweaver MX 2004 and will have you building your very own dynamic, data-driven sites in no time. Coverage includes:

• Building interactive forms
• Creating client-side image maps
• Connecting to a live database
• Inserting, deleting and updating data from your web pages
• Working with layers, Style Sheets and Dynamic HTML
• Integration with Flash, Fireworks and ColdFusion
• Designing with templates
• Extending Dreamweaver with your own extensions
• And more.

The value-packed CD ROM includes the Dreamweaver MX 2004 Try-Out Edition, complete Dreamweaver web sites and databases you can customize for your own use, as well as add itional web development software.

From the Back Cover

If Dreamweaver MX 2004 can do it, you can do it too...

If you’re one of the 2.4 million Web professionals who rely on Dreamweaver to create active, database-driven Web sites–or if you want to be–here’s the only reference manual you need. From step-by-step instruction in Dreamweaver MX 2004 basics, like the updated interface and integration with Flash™ and Fireworks®, to accessing the code, using Cascading Style Sheets, enhancing Dreamweaver with extensions, and working with layers and tables, you’ll find what you need to master this versatile tool.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of Dreamweaver MX 2004

• Navigate the updated toolbars and customize your environment
• Learn Cascading Style Sheets while you design with Dreamweaver’s CSS-enabled Property inspector and Relevant CSS panel
• Build interactive forms and create client-side image maps
• Extend Dreamweaver using custom objects, behaviors, and Property inspectors
• Create and modify layers and understand behaviors, events, and actions
• Connect to a live database and incorporate and manage dynamic data
• Add pop-up menus, Shockwave® and Flash™ movies, audio files, and other multimedia events to your sites

Bonus CD-ROM

Value-packed CD-ROM includes:

• Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 trial version
• Hundreds of server behaviors, objects, and inspectors
• Additional Web development software

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1180 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (December 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764543504
• ISBN-13: 978-0764543500
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #252,318 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best way to jump into Dreamweaver, June 2, 2004

By	Robin Currier - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been using the Dreamweaver Bible series of books for years, all the way back to Dreamweaver 2.0. They are perfect for my needs. I dip into them whenever I want more information about a particular feature.

Although the books say they can be used by someone who is new to Web site design, I think you need a little background before using these books. (I mean, what do the descriptions of XML or JavaScript mean if you don't already know what they are?)

The best features of these books are:

1) Tour of the Dreamweaver user interface. This is handy whether you are moving to a new version of Dreamweaver or have never used it before. You get a good introduction to all the basic features.

2) In-depth discussions of Dreamweaver features. Not only do you get the information on how to use Dreamweaver features, but also very complete discussions of why and when to use them. This is the kind of knowledgeable information you just don't get in a user manual from the manufacturer.

3) Tips and guidelines. Very useful hints on overcoming common problems. For example, a sidebar on overcoming line spacing difficulties gives four different workarounds for adjusting line spacing.

By the way, the author, Joe Lowery, has a reputation for being a great Dreamweaver resource, willing to help with technical problems and a very nice guy. His Web site has lots of links to Dreamweaver sites: http://www.idest.com/dreamweaver/. However, it looks like the site has not been updated in a while, so I hope he is not out of the business.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! That's what I call a Bible!, February 13, 2004

By	Arne Kriedemann (Ritterhude (Bremen), Germany, Europe) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This Bible is an excellent example for how to write a book, which is simply the best for the novice up to the experienced professionals. As a Web-Designer and -Publisher, I've read quite a lot of other books about Macromedia software, especially about Dreamweaver, in german and english. In the Dreamweaver MX 2004 Bible You'll find all of the programm's capabilities. HTML-Authoring and coding, designing WebSites, developing Web applications with ASP.NET, JSP, PHP or Macromedia's own ColdFusion: It's all covered in depth without losing the focus.
For a german Webdesigner it's time to learn English (because this book won't be translated: Sad enough...):
If not for this book, why then?
Most excellent, Mr. Lowery: Kotau!

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Teaches Antiquated Programming Style, November 11, 2004

By	Neal Groothuis (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

While this book seems fairly comprehensive in terms of covering Dreamweaver's features, the author still hasn't grasped how to do modern, standards-based web design. He encourages people to use non-semantic markup ("I'm also fond of the <blockquote> tag, which indents text by a browser-defined amount...") and to abuse whiz-bang technologies in ways that make sites less usable and accessible ("Flash Button objects are great for quickly turning out a professional quality navigation system"). If you need a reference for how to accomplish a particular task in Dreamweaver MX 2004, this book may be a good choice, but if you're seeking advice on designing a web page, please look elsewhere.