Review of Creating Web Pages For Dummies (Paperback)

Don't be fooled by the title "for Dummies".This book includes everything you need to know about creating your own Web page with all the knowledge and software you'll need.You will need to invest some time in this project - but it is worth every minute!It's a simple, step by step process and you will need to take it slow if you're an average creator.

First you'll learn all about Web Publishing Basics, Website strategies and just enough HTML to get started (it's not that hard!).Besides creating your first Web page, you'll learn how to get the darn thing published on the WWW!That's half the battle, but worth the effort!There's lots of information on what to avoid (before you go there) and what makes the best Web page.Before you know it, you'll be upgrading your Web page all the time.You'll never get bored updating and changing your page until it's just perfect!

The book includes an invaluable CD that is useful for Windows and MAC!It contains Microsft Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, Dreamweaver (great design tool!), Frontpage Express, HTML conversion tools for Word (nice short-cut), BBEDIT, GraphicConverter (MAC), Homesite HTML Editor (MAC), Hotdog Express (for Windows - great tool!), SiteCheck utility, an Internet service provider software (if you don't already have one - most likely you have a sufficient one), HTMLValidator (catches errors), WEB Wizard (a nifty quick-and-dirty page maker), Reptile (for making cool backgrounds) and Paint Shop Pro, which is my favorite tool.There's plenty of other stuff too that I just can't get into detail here.

Once again, this does take a little bit of effort, but of all the books I have perused, this one seemed to be the best value for the money.It's all here and updated annually.It is worth every penny.Get your Web site up and running in less than a weekend (even though the book says one day).You'll feel smart when you're done!Enjoy!



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Review of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Bible (Paperback)

The small non-profit company I work for needed a website, and I drew the short straw for designing and maintaining it.We bought the Studio MX suite, and I hoped this book would cover everything I needed to design a simple, yet cool website.

The thing is it DOES cover EVERYTHING I needed, but it is SO overwhelming in all the details, I was pulling my hair out and wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

You really have have some experience with website design before attempting this book.I had no idea what to do, and couldn't filter out what applied to me and what didn't; I needed a little more hand-holding than this book offered.Now that I've been through the H.O.T. and Naked series of help books (which others complain of being too basic), I'm much more comfortable with this book.I'll definitely be using it as a reference as I add dynamic content to the simple website I've built.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource for intermediate or advanced users.Beginners should shop around for other books before buying this one.

Product Description
Packed with hands-on instruction, and expert tutorials from the crème de la crème of the Macromedia development community, Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Bible is everything web developers need to build cutting-edge applications with Macromedia's product line. Covering of all the Studio MX 2004 applications - Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, ColdFusion 6.1, and FreeHand MX, Macromedia web development expert Joyce Evans guides readers through the use of each product, but more importantly, how they can be used together to build next-generation, data-driven web applications. Topics covered include:

• Building data-enabled sites with Dreamweaver 2004
• Creating Flash MX 2004 animations
• Working with ActionScript
• Creating web graphics and animations with Fireworks MX 2004
• Building interactive ColdFusion Applications
• Integrating Flash and ColdFusion
• Drawing vector art with Freehand MX

The Companion CD-Rom incl udes trial versions of the software as well as extensions, sample databases, images and applications.

From the Back Cover
"Joyce Evans' ability to teach readers how to use the tools in Studio MX 2004 together, as an end-to-end solution for building great sites, makes this book a must-have for every Web developer using Macromedia tools."
--;Andrew Spedzia, Web Developer, arttask.com

If Macromedia Studio MX 2004 can do it, you can do it too...

Macromedia Studio MX 2004 offers a revolutionary set of integrated tools for Web developers. This book gives you control of its power. You'll benefit from the expertise of volunteers, beta testers, and advisory board members who share the inside track on Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, FreeHand MX, and ColdFusion MX 6.1 versions. Whether you're building your first Web site or seeking advanced guidance on the newest tools, you'll find the information, instructions, and tutorials that let you create cutting-edge sites.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Macromedia Studio MX 2004

• Learn to use the Studio MX 2004 tools together to create dynamic sites
• Add ColdFusion MX 6.1 capabilities from within Dreamweaver MX 2004--;without writing a single line of code
• Develop superb animations with the new Flash MX 2004 capabilities
• Design Web pages with Dreamweaver MX 2004 using tables or CSS style sheets, pop-up menus, and third-party extensions
• Learn to optimize images in Fireworks for smaller file sizes, then slice and export them as a fully functioning Web page

Bonus CD-ROM

• Demo versions of Image Doctor, Wild Flix Pro, and Xenofex 2
• Trial versions of Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, and ColdFusion Server MX
• Bonus chapters, tutorials, code listings, and more

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