There was a printer error in the first copies of Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual. 2 pages are missing (actually they were replaced with two pages from another book!) You can download a PDF version of the 2 pages here.
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged; I’ve been so busy writing and finishing up the next edition of the Dreamweaver Missing Manual. I’m told the book should be on the shelves June 29th.
This edition is the most significant revision I’ve made yet. Many of the chapters have been re-written to cover current professional Web design techniques and practices, and my coverage of Cascading Style Sheets and Dreamweaver has really expanded. CSS is now discussed throughout the book (instead of being stuffed into a single chapter), and there are 2 chapters covering basic and advanced CSS.
On top of that, I (of course) cover all of the cool new features that Dreamweaver CS3 introduces: Photoshop integration, new CSS tools and templates, and the new and powerful Spry JavaScript framework which lets you add drop-down navigation menus that work really well, professional-looking form validation, user interface widgets like tabbed panels and more.
Finally, I’ve created all new tutorials (back to CosmoFarmer.com), and re-written the database tutorials to work with PHP/MySQL. You can see what the finished versions of the tutorials look like over at:www.sawmac.com/missing/dwcs3/tutorials/
This edition is the most significant revision I’ve made yet. Many of the chapters have been re-written to cover current professional Web design techniques and practices, and my coverage of Cascading Style Sheets and Dreamweaver has really expanded. CSS is now discussed throughout the book (instead of being stuffed into a single chapter), and there are 2 chapters covering basic and advanced CSS.
I’ve been getting quite a few questions about the different versions of Adobe’s new Creative Suite. There are 6 editions, ranging in price from $999 to $2,499 (ouch!). Upgrades from previous software ranges from $399 to $1,999. You can also just buy the software individually: Dreamweaver CS3, for example, is $399 (upgrades from Dreamweaver MX, MX 2004 or 8 are $199).
Which one should a Web designer buy? Well that all depends on what type of designer you are. If you don’t use Flash and are happy with whatever graphics program you use, you may just want to buy Dreamweaver separately. However, if you want a few other programs to help build Web sites, you might want one of the suites.
If you want Dreamweaver, Flash and a competent Web graphics program (Fireworks) the Web Standard Edition ($999, $399 upgrade) is enough for you. It includes Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks and Contribute. It also includes a few other Adobe apps which come with the other Suites–most interesting to Web designers is “Device Central” which lets you preview Web pages in different types of mobile phones.
If you love graphic apps, especially Photoshop, then the Web Premium Edition ($1,599, $499 upgrade) is a better choice. It includes everything in the Web Standard Edition as well as Photoshop Extended. In addition, you also get Adobe Illustrator, a fine vector-based illustration program, and Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional.
If you’re caught between two worlds (print and the web), your choice is more difficult. Adobe’s page layout program, InDesign isn’t available in either Web edition. You’ll need to get the Design Premium Edition ($1,799, $599 upgrade) if you want InDesign as well as Dreamweaver and Flash. Unfortunately, you’ll lose Fireworks and Contribute in the process. If you must have InDesign and Fireworks you’ll have to shell out for the whole enchilada: the Master Collection ($2,499, $1,999 upgrade) (or buy one of the suites then by the missing product separately). If you go this route, you can also launch your video editing career since you’ll recieve After Effects, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth and Encore in addition to everything else (there’s some mention of a kitchen sink as well, but I don’t know what the upgrade price is for that.)
To compare the different editions visit the Creative Suite page on the Adobe site and click the “Compare Editions” tab.
According to Adobe the new version of Dreamweaver will be shipping in April. It’s loaded with new features, which I’ve fortunately been able to test out. Read my first-look on Dreamweaver CS3 over at Macworld.com.
You can find more information on the Dreamweaver product page at Adobe.com.
And, yes, I’m busy working on the next version of my book: Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual.
Buy them today!
