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KevinB9
Inspiring
October 17, 2017
Answered

I need a pep talk!

  • October 17, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1106 views

I am a photographer and I last used Dreamweaver in 2014 to showcase my work using basic HTML and CSS. A little bit of off the shelf JavaScript. Nothing too fancy. I found Dreamweaver frustrating to work with -  especially the CSS interface - even though all the manuals and tutorials were  bragging about how easy it is to use.

I just went back to Dreamweaver after a long absence and downloaded the 20`17 version. I was taken aback to see how different it is. What does that tell you about a program that changes so much from version to version? What does that say about the older versions? I don't see those changes in other Adobe programs like Premier and Photoshop. One thing has not changed - Dreamweaver still calls itself the "industry leader."

I would like to give Dreamweaver 2017 a try since I have the CC subscription. Also, I hate to give up on something. My websites are simple - a page layout with a few videos and slide shows thrown in.

What do you think is the best way to learn Dreamweaver 2017?  Should I forget the book and just look for tutorials? Thanks.

Kevin from Cambridge

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer osgood_

    The problem with extensions and recommending them, is that first i would have to know exactly what the person i am recommending them expects to do. Without this information the user may end up having to purchase extensions worth hundreds of £/$,

    Advising someone to learn how to code, not only enables them to do it without extensions, but also opens up the full range of possibilities now available to a coder, who is willing to learn.

    The above sentence is also why i do not advise users to use Bootstrap, which is 'free' in Dw.


    pziecina  wrote

    The problem with extensions and recommending them, is that first i would have to know exactly what the person i am recommending them expects to do. Without this information the user may end up having to purchase extensions worth hundreds of £/$,

    Advising someone to learn how to code, not only enables them to do it without extensions, but also opens up the full range of possibilities now available to a coder, who is willing to learn.

    The above sentence is also why i do not advise users to use Bootstrap, which is 'free' in Dw.

    I agree. If an OP comes on here an their opening line is 'I hate coding, don't want to code' then I'm more that happy to ignore the post or at worst send them in the direction of an extension developer and let them see if they can provide what is required. I really have no time for those that are not remotely interested in web-devlopment but just want to point, drag and drop, sorry they are a waste of space in my world.

    3 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 17, 2017

    The UI in DW CC is radically different from the old Creative Suite products, true.  However, different is not necessarily bad.  It just takes getting used to.

    85% of my work is performed in Code View.   I can't be bothered with CSS Designer panels.  For me, the code hinting & auto-completion features in Code View are superior to clumsy panels because you can see exactly what you're editing and do it faster.

    Nancy

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
      ALsp
      ALsp
      Legend
      October 17, 2017

      The power of Dreamweaver has always been its extensibility. That has not changed. Unfortunately, Adobe's incompetence and the obstinacy of the people on this forum has perpetuated the falsehood that Dreamweaver REQUIRES advanced coding skills. That is disinformation. At best.

      There have always been extensions to cover any client-side need with automated tools. Galleries, menus, page-building, etc. These are all things that Adobe cannot provide. So those on this forum who preach against extensions, have no alternative but to berate people who do not possess the coding skills to do it yourself.

      Dreamweaver CC 2017 is utterly worthless to the typical Dreamweaver: the non-coding designer. So the obvious answer is simply to install a pre-creative cloud version, whichever one is most comfortable for you, and use extensions as needed. If you choose the right extension developer, you will also benefit from a level of support Adobe cannot provide.

      Yes, extensions cost money. But so do the tools a carpenter or a mechanic choose to use in order to make their jobs more efficient. The bottom line is that you do have choices. You always have choices.

      Don't let the noise on this forum sway you from the truth :-)

      O
      osgood_
      Legend
      October 17, 2017

      ALsp  wrote

      So those on this forum who preach against extensions, have no alternative but to berate people who do not possess the coding skills to do it yourself.

      I preach against extensions because they are limted in what they can do. If you can think of it and can code you can do it, if you can think of it and can't code you have to settle for what an extension provides. For some that may be sufficient, for others it may fall short of their expecations/requirements. If you're a Sunday driver then the extensions you and others provide may be exactly what is required.

      Maybe we should have a forum button which says which category the OPs falls into. I'm quite happy to ignore threads which bring the profession into disrepute.

      pziecina
      pziecina
      Legend
      October 17, 2017

      The problem with extensions and recommending them, is that first i would have to know exactly what the person i am recommending them expects to do. Without this information the user may end up having to purchase extensions worth hundreds of £/$,

      Advising someone to learn how to code, not only enables them to do it without extensions, but also opens up the full range of possibilities now available to a coder, who is willing to learn.

      The above sentence is also why i do not advise users to use Bootstrap, which is 'free' in Dw.

        pziecina
        pziecina
        Legend
        October 17, 2017

        Dreamweaver is not for anyone who does not have a working knowledge of html and css, (with an understanding of javascript thrown in).

        Trying to use Dw without that knowledge is like me complaining that i cannot get professional quality photos on my camera, because i do not know what the settings do or how to use them.

        You are right about the interface in Dw, and i have complained about the frequency of the changes, (mostly unnecessary).

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