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This thoroughly updated version of the bestselling original includes an all-new chapter on plug-ins and how to use them, plus coverage of the expanded objects palette and the new HTML styles palette. Structured as a series of exercises that explore Web design, site structure, frames and tables, Cascading Style Sheets, and more, the book also gives you Lynda's expert tips, warnings, and background information about her techniques. An accompanying CD-ROM includes source files for the exercises, as well as QuickTime movies of key concepts.
The book is a great jumping-off guide for users new to Dreamweaver. Authors Lynda Weinman and Garo Green skillfully weave hands-on exercises into general topical introductions. This means you'll learn right away about subjects like layers, for example; and, as you go, you'll find out about relevant browser compatibility issues. Its style makes the book both fast-paced and engaging--it won't bore you with what markup languages are, and the various flavors of HTML.
The accompanying CD-ROM is key. In addition to trial versions of Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Netscape, and Microsoft browsers, plus a few crucial plug-ins, it contains example files organized by book chapter. Fortunately, the exercises move along quickly, demonstrating various techniques for performing operations. In one chapter, for example, you might be asked to open Web pages individually into the program, while in another you'll be shown how to attach a "site" to the folder that contains the files and work from there.
Dreamweaver is a fun program with which to work, and this tutorial is right on the mark. Even if you're just finding your Web legs in site design and want to give Dreamweaver a whirl, this book is worth purchasing. --Stephen W. Plain
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