Macromedia Dreamweaver MX: Training from the Source [With CDROM]

by Khristine Annwn Page

Book Overview

Leads through a series of 17 project-based lessons in which you can learn how to create and maintain Web sites using Macromedia's popular Web design software. This book's step-by-step exercises use... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201799294
• ISBN13: 9780201799293
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Macromedia Press
• Length: 549 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

This book saved my life!

I had a little HTML knowledge when I bought and installed Dreamweaver MX, but no web design experience. I was afraid to even open it! I bought this book because it was recommended for beginners. It starts by holding your hand and walking you through the workspace explaining all the tool bars and panels and how they're docked. I laugh now at, "Rest the pointer over a button to see it's name", but I wasn't laughing when I started the book. Training From The Source guides you through creating a web site about light houses called "Lights of the Coast". Although I never want to see another light house after completing the lessons, it was an excellent way of applying what I was learning. I also liked the list of "What You Will Learn" at the start of each chapter, and "What You Have Learned" at the end of each chapter, to keep me on track. The illustrations are numerous and just what I needed back when I was afraid to touch anything. There is a huge amount of information throughout the book I previously knew nothing about. Reading and working through it saved me from a lot of headaches when I set off on my own. Good book!

A Good Place To Start

If you are looking for a book to help you to learn the basics of Dreamweaver MX, then you have found it in this one. The chapters and lessons are well-designed to teach the concepts.Back when I got this book, I was already very experienced with web design and tools, but not with Dreamweaver. This book teaches both Dreamweaver and a lot of basic web design concepts. So, I was able to skim over some sections that were too basic and still gain familiarity with DW. The time estimates for each chapter were a bit too generous. I finished one chapter 45 minutes faster than they had estimated. Others were closer to being accurate. It makes sense that the time estimates would be off by some amount, depending upon the level of the reader.Some of the chapters have an "on your own" bonus exercise at the end where one can apply the skills they just covered to building a web page with no step-by-step instructions. That is where you will find out if you were paying attention in the earlier parts of the chapter. Don't skip these bonus lessons!I needed a way to get up to speed with DW and this book did the trick. Dreamweaver simplifies a lot of tasks that I had been performing manually, so learning it has made me more efficient in my work. This book, and Dreamweaver, are great investments for people who desire to craft attractive web sites in less time. The return on investment was almost immediate for me.The book pays for itself quickly.

Excellent Tutorials

As a new Dreamweaver MX user and web designer with a moderate degree of experience using Windows applications, I felt that this book offered wonderful examples presented in a clear and coherent manner. The source material was solid and there were no instances when I wondered where the author had gotten to. I was comfortable with the pace and wasn't bothered by any code or textual errors, as are present in many other tutorial guides. Dreamweaver MX: Training from the Source stands out as a one-stop springboard. Given decent language reference books, I feel like I can go anywhere with this.

You want to learn Dreamweaver, get this book!

If you are looking for a straight forward tutorial to teach you to not only create a webpage, but to manage the site and its contents then this is for you. It takes some time, but it gives you an understanding of how to create a webpage that is respectable and something you can display and be proud of. Personally, I am launching a clothing company and I have built a website using this. Of course, if you want a more sophisticated, interactive site then you need to graduate to ColfFusion or Fireworks, but there is no mistaking, this is a great starting point.

The Perfect Starting Place

Like many of us, I have dozens of this type of book for all sorts of software applications and development tools. My prior HTML experience is light, and I have used FrontPage, but I would still classify myself as an HTML novice. With that said, I believe that this is the perfect book for beginners and novices of Dreamweaver MX.After installing Studio MX for the 1st time, the first thing I did was crack open this book and get started. I am now in the middle of Lesson 9 (Templates), and have developed a solid understanding of the concepts covered to this point. Not only have I been completely satisfied with the book, but the MX version of Dreamweaver has been flawless so far - incredibly solid and intuitive. The examples do not bog you down with typing/developing too much - but they illustrate the concepts quickly and succinctly.I am anxiously making my way through this book in order to start my small company's website! The book and software are highly recommended.