Dreamweaver 2 Bible

Dreamweaver 2 Bible

"A Complete Reference"

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Title: Dreamweaver 2 Bible
Author: Joseph W. Lowery http://www.idest.com/dreamweaver
Publisher: IDG Books, Inc. http://www.idgbooks.com
Publication Date: May 1999
Pages: 1034 with CD
ISBN: 0-7645-3322-3
Price: $39.99

Type of Book

Dreamweaver 2 Bible by Joseph W. Lowery, is a comprehensive guide to Macromedia Dreamweaver 2, a Web site development and management tool. It is written for both Mac and Windows users, and the book can be used as an introductory aid for beginners and a useful reference tool for more experienced users. You get full coverage of the new features in Dreamweaver 2, plus detailed instruction and examples for such features as: implementing CGI scripts, JavaScripts, applets and controls on your Web pages, working with frames and Cascading Style Sheets, using Dynamic HTML, XML and SMIL. There is an accompanying CD-ROM that includes shareware, demos, and nearly 300 Dreamweaver extensions, including behaviors, objects, commands, style sheets, browser profiles, inspectors, and queries. You also get a Web resource directory and all the sample code from the book. IDG Books has other books in the Bible series. See their Web site for more information: http://www.idgbooks.com

User Level

Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced computer users. The book is written for all Web designers from the individual who is just starting up and needs basic information on HTML to the professional who needs advanced tips and tricks. It is a complete reference for everyone working with Dreamweaver on a daily basis.

Review

Dreamweaver 2 Bible can be read from cover-to-cover or you can peruse each section as needed. The book is divided into nine major task-oriented parts. The early chapters present you with the basics, and the chapters have clearly written steps for the tasks you need to perform. In later chapters, you will find sections that provide you with step-by-step instructions for accomplishing specific Web designer tasks; for example, building an image map that uses rollovers, or eliminating underlines from hyperlinks through Cascading Style Sheets. The book is very well organized, and even though it is not in color, it has a wealth of illustrations and tables on almost every other page. Each chapter begins with an overview of its information, and ends with a quick summary. There are various icons placed in the text to indicate important or especially helpful items: Tips--provide you with extra knowledge that separates the novice from the pro; Notes--provide additional or critical information and technical data on the current topic; New Features--sections marked with this icon detail an innovation introduced in Dreamweaver 2; Cross-Reference--indicate places where you can find more information on a particular topic; Caution--provides you with a warning of a potential problem or pitfall; and On the CD-ROM--indicates that the CD-ROM contains a related file in the given folder.

Part I: Getting Started with Dreamweaver--Chapters 1 through 5 give you an overview of Dreamweaver's philosophy and design. You learn to set up your first site; become familiar with the program's interface and customizable features. Dreamweaver's online Help feature is discussed as well as how to find additional resources on the Web. Various Web site design models are looked at as well as the subject of publishing on the Web.

Part II: Using Basic HTML in Dreamweaver--Chapters 6 through 10 provide you with a solid foundation in the basics of HTML. HTML theory is examined and you are alerted to some potential pitfalls to look out for in constructing a Web page. The three fundamentals of Web pages are text, image, and links, and these are discussed in Part II. There is a special section on the new integration possibilities of Dreamweaver with Fireworks 2, as well as one on using animated GIFs. Various list options such as: numbered lists, bulleted lists, definition lists, and nested lists are looked at.

Part III: Incorporating Advanced HTML--Chapters 11 through 14 start to investigate some of the more advanced structural elements of HTML as implemented in Dreamweaver. The various uses of tables is presented. Image maps and Dreamweaver's built-in Image Map Editor are discussed. All you need to know about forms and frames is also in this part.

Part IV: Extending HTML Through Dreamweaver--Chapters 15 through 19 introduces you to the world of CGI programs, external plug-ins, Java applets, ActiveX controls, and scripting with JavaScript and VBScript. You will find techniques for ensuring a secure middle ground of cross-browser compatibility in the ongoing browser wars. You are shown how to use built-in objects for Web page layout. There is an in-depth look at the capabilities of Dreamweaver behaviors. Each standard behavior is covered in detail with step-by-step instructions. Coverage is given to Dreamweaver extensibility, with complete coverage of using and building commands as well as custom tags, translators, and C-level Extensions.

Part V: Adding Multimedia Elements--Chapters 20 through 22 discuss the power tools for incorporating various media files into your Web site. You will learn about downloadable AVI files, streaming RealVideo displays, and panoramic QuickTime movies. This part also focuses on digital audio, with coverage of standard WAV and MIDI sound files as well as the newer streaming audio formats. There is a special section that covers the possibilities offered by Beatnik and the new Rich Music Format, with new coverage of the Beatnik ActionSet. The possibilities offered by incorporating Shockwave and Flash movies into Dreamweaver designed Web pages are looked at.

Part VI: Dynamic HTML and Dreamweaver--Chapters 23 through 26 examine pixel-perfect positioning, layers that fly in and then disappear, and Web sites that can change their look and feel at the click of the mouse. An overview of Dynamic HTML is given, with new information on how to embed cross-platform, cross-browser fonts in your Web pages. There is a detailed look at the elegance of Cascading Style Sheets and techniques are given for accomplishing the most frequently requested tasks, such as creating an external style sheet. Layers, timelines, and how to create a multiscreen slide show are discussed.

Part VII: Creating Next-Generation Code with Dreamweaver--Chapters 27 through 28 delves into XML (Extensible Markup Language) and how it enables you to create your own custom tags. Macromedia has partnered with several other companies, such as Real Networks, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard, and this part looks into their contributions and demonstrates how you can use their technology to enhance your site's interactivity.

Part VIII: Connectivity Through Dreamweaver--Chapters 29 through 30 looks at e-commerce and how Dreamweaver can help you design your site for this electronic commerce. Database basics are explained.

Part IX: Web Site Management Under Dreamweaver--Chapters 31 through 34 will show you how Dreamweaver makes site management easy. The program's built-in tools for maintaining cross- and backward-browser compatibility are explained. There is a demonstration of how to browser-check a Web page that automatically directs users to appropriate links. Dreamweaver's Library is looked at, as well as the Site Window. Templates and how they can speed up production while ensuring a unified look and feel across your Web site is discussed.

Appendixes--Appendix A describes the contents of the CD-ROM that accompanies the book; Appendixes B and C have an abbreviated user's manual for BBEdit for the Macintosh and HomeSite for Windows, two HTML editors; Appendix D dives into a look at Dreamweaver 2 Attain.

Personal Comments

The Dreamweaver 2 Bible is the most comprehensive book I have found on Dreamweaver. Not only does it cover Dreamweaver, it also includes information on HTML and DHTML. It has a good balance and is neither too simple nor too complex. Considering the breath of the material, the language is easy to understand, and the tables and illustrations are indispensable for a reference book. This is a must for anyone serious about learning Dreamweaver 2.

Graphics: Adobe Illustrator & Adobe Photoshop
Web Page Editor: Macromedia Dreamweaver 2.0
Scanner: Hewlett Packard ScanJet 6250C Professional Series

Dreamweaver 2 Bible "A Complete Reference"

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge it. Use your browser's "BACK" button to return to this review when done.

Title: Dreamweaver 2 Bible Author: Joseph W. Lowery http://www.idest.com/dreamweaver Publisher: IDG Books, Inc. http://www.idgbooks.com Publication Date: May 1999 Pages: 1034 with CD ISBN: 0-7645-3322-3 Price: $39.99

Dreamweaver 2 Bible by Joseph W. Lowery, is a comprehensive guide to Macromedia Dreamweaver 2, a Web site development and management tool. It is written for both Mac and Windows users, and the book can be used as an introductory aid for beginners and a useful reference tool for more experienced users. You get full coverage of the new features in Dreamweaver 2, plus detailed instruction and examples for such features as: implementing CGI scripts, JavaScripts, applets and controls on your Web pages, working with frames and Cascading Style Sheets, using Dynamic HTML, XML and SMIL. There is an accompanying CD-ROM that includes shareware, demos, and nearly 300 Dreamweaver extensions, including behaviors, objects, commands, style sheets, browser profiles, inspectors, and queries. You also get a Web resource directory and all the sample code from the book. IDG Books has other books in the Bible series. See their Web site for more information: http://www.idgbooks.com

Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced computer users. The book is written for all Web designers from the individual who is just starting up and needs basic information on HTML to the professional who needs advanced tips and tricks. It is a complete reference for everyone working with Dreamweaver on a daily basis.

Dreamweaver 2 Bible can be read from cover-to-cover or you can peruse each section as needed. The book is divided into nine major task-oriented parts. The early chapters present you with the basics, and the chapters have clearly written steps for the tasks you need to perform. In later chapters, you will find sections that provide you with step-by-step instructions for accomplishing specific Web designer tasks; for example, building an image map that uses rollovers, or eliminating underlines from hyperlinks through Cascading Style Sheets. The book is very well organized, and even though it is not in color, it has a wealth of illustrations and tables on almost every other page. Each chapter begins with an overview of its information, and ends with a quick summary. There are various icons placed in the text to indicate important or especially helpful items: Tips--provide you with extra knowledge that separates the novice from the pro; Notes--provide additional or critical information and technical data on the current topic; New Features--sections marked with this icon detail an innovation introduced in Dreamweaver 2; Cross-Reference--indicate places where you can find more information on a particular topic; Caution--provides you with a warning of a potential problem or pitfall; and On the CD-ROM--indicates that the CD-ROM contains a related file in the given folder. Part I: Getting Started with Dreamweaver--Chapters 1 through 5 give you an overview of Dreamweaver's philosophy and design. You learn to set up your first site; become familiar with the program's interface and customizable features. Dreamweaver's online Help feature is discussed as well as how to find additional resources on the Web. Various Web site design models are looked at as well as the subject of publishing on the Web. Part II: Using Basic HTML in Dreamweaver--Chapters 6 through 10 provide you with a solid foundation in the basics of HTML. HTML theory is examined and you are alerted to some potential pitfalls to look out for in constructing a Web page. The three fundamentals of Web pages are text, image, and links, and these are discussed in Part II. There is a special section on the new integration possibilities of Dreamweaver with Fireworks 2, as well as one on using animated GIFs. Various list options such as: numbered lists, bulleted lists, definition lists, and nested lists are looked at. Part III: Incorporating Advanced HTML--Chapters 11 through 14 start to investigate some of the more advanced structural elements of HTML as implemented in Dreamweaver. The various uses of tables is presented. Image maps and Dreamweaver's built-in Image Map Editor are discussed. All you need to know about forms and frames is also in this part. Part IV: Extending HTML Through Dreamweaver--Chapters 15 through 19 introduces you to the world of CGI programs, external plug-ins, Java applets, ActiveX controls, and scripting with JavaScript and VBScript. You will find techniques for ensuring a secure middle ground of cross-browser compatibility in the ongoing browser wars. You are shown how to use built-in objects for Web page layout. There is an in-depth look at the capabilities of Dreamweaver behaviors. Each standard behavior is covered in detail with step-by-step instructions. Coverage is given to Dreamweaver extensibility, with complete coverage of using and building commands as well as custom tags, translators, and C-level Extensions. Part V: Adding Multimedia Elements--Chapters 20 through 22 discuss the power tools for incorporating various media files into your Web site. You will learn about downloadable AVI files, streaming RealVideo displays, and panoramic QuickTime movies. This part also focuses on digital audio, with coverage of standard WAV and MIDI sound files as well as the newer streaming audio formats. There is a special section that covers the possibilities offered by Beatnik and the new Rich Music Format, with new coverage of the Beatnik ActionSet. The possibilities offered by incorporating Shockwave and Flash movies into Dreamweaver designed Web pages are looked at. Part VI: Dynamic HTML and Dreamweaver--Chapters 23 through 26 examine pixel-perfect positioning, layers that fly in and then disappear, and Web sites that can change their look and feel at the click of the mouse. An overview of Dynamic HTML is given, with new information on how to embed cross-platform, cross-browser fonts in your Web pages. There is a detailed look at the elegance of Cascading Style Sheets and techniques are given for accomplishing the most frequently requested tasks, such as creating an external style sheet. Layers, timelines, and how to create a multiscreen slide show are discussed. Part VII: Creating Next-Generation Code with Dreamweaver--Chapters 27 through 28 delves into XML (Extensible Markup Language) and how it enables you to create your own custom tags. Macromedia has partnered with several other companies, such as Real Networks, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard, and this part looks into their contributions and demonstrates how you can use their technology to enhance your site's interactivity. Part VIII: Connectivity Through Dreamweaver--Chapters 29 through 30 looks at e-commerce and how Dreamweaver can help you design your site for this electronic commerce. Database basics are explained. Part IX: Web Site Management Under Dreamweaver--Chapters 31 through 34 will show you how Dreamweaver makes site management easy. The program's built-in tools for maintaining cross- and backward-browser compatibility are explained. There is a demonstration of how to browser-check a Web page that automatically directs users to appropriate links. Dreamweaver's Library is looked at, as well as the Site Window. Templates and how they can speed up production while ensuring a unified look and feel across your Web site is discussed. Appendixes--Appendix A describes the contents of the CD-ROM that accompanies the book; Appendixes B and C have an abbreviated user's manual for BBEdit for the Macintosh and HomeSite for Windows, two HTML editors; Appendix D dives into a look at Dreamweaver 2 Attain.

The Dreamweaver 2 Bible is the most comprehensive book I have found on Dreamweaver. Not only does it cover Dreamweaver, it also includes information on HTML and DHTML. It has a good balance and is neither too simple nor too complex. Considering the breath of the material, the language is easy to understand, and the tables and illustrations are indispensable for a reference book. This is a must for anyone serious about learning Dreamweaver 2.

Graphics: Adobe Illustrator & Adobe Photoshop Web Page Editor: Macromedia Dreamweaver 2.0 Scanner: Hewlett Packard ScanJet 6250C Professional Series