Extremely Disappointed [Does the new version of Dreamweaver completely alienate people who don't code?]

I started making homepages in 1996 first with notpad, then HomSite 1.0 and when HomeSite acquired by Macromedia in 2001 I went over to Macromedia HomeSite version 5.0 to version 5.5. My first Adobe Dreamweaver where version 4.0 which I thought was a natural continuation of HomeSite and on that way it is. I have always seen DW as a coding platform with WYSIWYG functionality.

I can't say i agree with you, i think DW is a great platform which has become better for each version, OK you need to learn coding, but you can still make websites, without being an encoder.

I'm replying to the OP because they are the only person who can mark any post to this discussion correct.

Anyone else doing so is fooling themselves, and possibly many others, add to that the ACP badge, as everyone will agree, means NOTHING. It does not denote any skill beyond that which the holder thinks they have. Points just like helpfull answers also have no meaning in 99.9999% of cases.

What we should be asking is how any post saying that code is in some way required, helps the user, who has already stated that they do not want to learn how to code, (maybe the correct answer is, 'Dw is not for you').

The closest to a correct answer in my opinion is Bens.

uxpulse  wrote Am I missing something or does the new version of Dreamweaver completely alienate people who don't code?

TIP #1

On the Document toolbar, switch to Design View.  Although not 100% accurate at rending modern CSS styles, it's good enough for most things and you'll probably find it more convenient to work with than Live View.

While Live view gives more accurate CSS rendering, the trade off is you have to double-click inside boxes to activate focus.  Also some editing options are not accessible from Live View such as Templates and image maps.    When options are grayed out, switch to Design View.

TIP #2

Given the choice of working with code or design panels, I always prefer code.  It's  faster and more precise with DW's code hinting and auto code completion features.  However, there are ways to jump start new projects without writing a single line of code.  Bootstrap is one layout approach but there are other responsive starters you can use instead.  Go to File > New > Starter Templates.  Pick one and hit the Create button.  

uxpulse  wrote Am I missing something or does the new version of Dreamweaver completely alienate people who don't code? It makes me do far too much in order to create content. Thoughts? Direction?

Dw has been on the course of removing any meaningfull support for none coders, (and coders in my opinion) since the CC versions were first introduced. That development course is now too far along to change.

In defence of the Dw managment, they have now ignored 'outside' influences or opinions, and followed a path that only they know for a number of years, (versions). Which is not a bad thing, provided that bootstrap is what you require. Which many users obviously do.

Macromedia Dreamweaver started off as a relatively inexpensive program with decent coding support, but its true claim to fame was its extensibility. Extensions, both free and commercial, augmented Dreamweaver, providing automated tools that non-coders could use to make really nice web sites.

Adobe Dreamweaver has evolved to a point where it has indeed alienated its customer base. It has seemingly made it much harder to find and install extensions. It has put up a hideously complicated and buggy forum and has sought to herd users into using a non-automated page-building metaphor driven by an obscenely bloated open source CSS and JavaScript framework called Bootstrap.

Moreover, it has driven off most of the experts who used to help other customers. What's left are Bootstrap drones. Your job, if you still want to use Dreamweaver, which does have some redeeming value, is to seek out truth, as it were. The logical choices, which might take a little doing to uncover, are to learn how to write CSS (which is really easy) and to augment that with tools (extensions) that can automate your workflow where necessary.

Contrary to what others might say in this space, that has always been the way to get the most out of Dreamweaver.

Not hugely helpful but there are products out there which may be better suited if youre not interested in coding. To my thoughts DW has never really been aimed at those who dont understand code.