Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 Classroom in a Book

This is one of those books that can be very useful for some readers and over the heads of others. I had a little (very little) knowledge of HTML, nothing of CSS and some experience with amateur-level web design programs when I got this book.
While the lessons were well-planned and informative, they did not feature the depth of information that a beginner like me needed. I learned features and techniques but not what made them work. Also, many of the more basic program features are vaguely mentioned in passing. Other information was simply over my head as a newcomer to the program.

I can see that this book would be extremely valuable to someone who has used Dreamweaver before and wants to get up to date on the latest changes in the program. I think that someone with HTML and CSS experience under his or her belt could also get a lot of good information.

As for me, I bought Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML and Dreamweaver CS4 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)). The former filled some gaps in my coding knowledge and the latter provided a rather thorough tour through the program designed with the newbie in mind. (It should be noted that knowing how to code is not essential for using Dreamweaver but it sure makes things easier.) Once I finish these titles, I will probably return to Classroom in a Book.

This title is good for: People with HTML and CSS experience or with Dreamweaver experience.

This title is not good for: Complete newcomers to web design. Try one of the books listed above instead.

This book teaches a lot, but if you are coming into dreamweaver with no background in web design, or dreamweaver's specific tools, it is very hard to use. He teaches you HOW to use things but not WHY and what they are. Its very hard to apply the lessons elsewhere. On the other hand, I used the CS4 Dummies book which explained why of everything, and then went back into this book to go further.

I have a background in design for print and thought it was time to venture out and learn web design. I purchased Dreamweaver CS4 and was ready to go! I excitedly opened this book, anticipating some great revelation to the secrets of Dreamweaver CS4, CSS and HTML. I am very disappointed. I can easily follow along the book and click the buttons requested. But there is little or no explanation as to why. If you are looking for a book to tell you to "click here, change this, click OK" then you have it. If you want a book that tells you why you are doing each step, or a book that explains CSS or HTML this is not it! Look elsewhere.

I want very much to learn Dreamweaver CS4 but have no experience with web-building software and only slight knowledge of html. Classes are expensive and I decided to try using this "Classroom in a Book" instead. I'm finding it utterly frustrating. The authors provide step-by-step instructions for recreating the web pages in the lessons. While the instructions are possible (not easy, but possible) to follow, there are no definitions of terms, no explanations of the many intricate choices the authors instruct you to make. Just "click this" and "choose that". It's hard even to find all the "panes", "panels", "bars", and "tags" they refer to, much less to learn what they are or what they're for. I don't truly understand a thing I've done so far despite reading the chapters over and over. I doubt that I'll retain the information, or be able to apply it to what I want to do. If only the book had been labelled "advanced" or even "intemediate" rather than "the fastest, easiest, most comprehensive way to learn Adobe Dreamweaver CS4"! I'm extremely sorry I bought this expensive and unhelpful book.

I have used Dreamweaver a LOT since version 3, and I always love to have the newest version. For the last few releases, Adobe/Macromedia have worked hard to keep a consistent UI, so it has been necessary to find out what is new and how to best use it from some other source. I prefer books to online tutorials, as I look at the screen too many hours a day already, and find reading to be relaxing.

I use Dreamweaver exclusively in the code view, and love the code completion and find and replace features. This book helped me find out about the new split code feature, which allows you to see different parts of the same file simultaneously, a feature I have always been jealous of Emacs and Vim users for. This version also incorporates Subversion, which is a HUGE improvement (sadly, version control is not covered in this book). Previously you would have to use Eclipse if you wanted source control in your editor.

I particularly liked the Spry coverage. I prefer jQuery, but Spry is great for someone sticking to the design view of Dreamweaver who wants to add modern js to their screens. I also liked the Photoshop Smart Objects coverage, and the fact that all the layouts they cover are CSS based, even the forms.

As usual in a cover-it-all intro book, I have some issues, such as the authors not pushing you to use the title attribute in your links, but all in all, I think this is a really useful book that can appeal to many different level Dreamweaver users. At 270 pages it is nice and thin too - a quick read.