Making website mobile friendly

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Can DW-CC easily convert an older version of PHP to make it mobile friendly?

My name is Rob, I spent an hour and a half in Chat this morning. The first person told me I need to talk to the “technical team” and he was to transfer me. Neither of the next two people I spoke with were from the technical team and after explaining the same thing three times and asking to be transferred I gave up and this is a new start. I spoke with MAC, Kunwar Tushar Singh and the worst one was Gargi Mishra who refused to read what I wrote and was purposely playing dumb (unless he actually was dumb). Please help me.

I have a website that was designed using Dreamweaver CS4 in PHP. The site is not mobile friendly. I have been told that you new version of DW- CC can convert old PHP to mobile friendly with little help from a developer. Is that right?

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Firstly its nothing to do whether the website is built using php or not.

Secondly its usually problematical to try and convert an old fixed width website to be responsive. Most developers would advise you to start from scratch. Certainly thete is nothing in any version of DW that can convert a fixed width website into a responsive website.

In certain circumstanves where a fixed width website is simple and uses divs not tables it might be possible to make it responsive without rebuilding from scratch

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Thanks Osgood, I'm holding on to some hope by thinking that perhaps I have "divs". What are divs? I do have a database the fills pages. There is a side strip with links on it and a top strip also with links but all changing information occurs in the third box. Does that help? I appreciate the help, it is impossible to "chat" with the guys at Adobe.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Have a look at the code and see if you have <div> </div> in it or <table> </table>

If you dont know what divs are its highly unlikely that you yourself would be able to convert the website to responsive even if it was suitable for doing so as you would have to update many css styles.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

I have code like this, does it mean I qualify as a DIV holder?

<p>For Collectors and Historians as of <?php echo date("m-d-y"); ?><br />

All prior editions are incomplete!</p>

<?php

//echo "<pre>";exit(print_r($array7)); TEST

//$arrayFinal=array_diff($array1, $array7, $array8, $array9, $array10, $array569, $array570, $arrayM);

//echo "<pre>";exit(print_r(array_unique($arrayFinal))); // item_ids

//echo "<pre>";exit(print_r($arrayFinal));

//$array=array_unique($array);

foreach($array as $item) {

// if(in_array($item['item_id'],$arrayFinal)) { ?>

<tr>

</td>

</tr>

<?php

//}

}

?>

</table>

</div>

Report · Jun 20, 2018

rob717 wrote
... it is impossible to "chat" with the guys at Adobe.

Adobe tech support is not for using a product, but for installation problems along with very general help.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

I asked Adobe support what is the correct method to make a good batter pudding the other day but they didnt know that either........so lm not so sure when you say 'very general help'

Report · Jun 20, 2018

osgood_ wrote
.....so lm not so sure when you say 'very general help'

very general help = questions such as, 'will tomorrow follow yesterday'? (think about it ).

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Whats your name..........hummm maybe a bit too complicated.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

It's like having a conversation with your iOS Siri.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Please hold as we route your chat.

Hello, welcome to Adobe! My name is 'Mac'.

Mac: Welcome to Adobe Chat. My name is Mac, how can I help you with the purchase today?

you: I have CS4 and a website designed by a lady who is now unavailable. She used PHP from around 2009-10 (I don't know how to find the version).

Mac: Sure, will help you with same ...may i know with whom i am speaking with?

you: I would like to update the site to be mobile friendly and wonder if your new Dreamweaver will do that for me and if so how much outside help do I need.

you: Sure, my name is Rob Mouat with Cornell Publications... sorry I thought I was logged into Adobe.

Mac: Rob ,yes dreamweaver will be athe application which will help doing that .

you: I can make basic alterations using my dreamweaver to our site but I am not a coder or developer. I can learn a bit I think.

Mac: Only option to design website through coding will be dreamweaver.

Mac: CS4 option will not be available any more now .

you: So, I was told the new DW would update the php sufficiently to allow it to be mobile friendly. If you are saying the site could be re-designed by a developer to meet those specs, I guess I knew that, Please be specific. thanks

you: I have CS4 I don't need to buy a new copy, what I want to know is if I buy the new version with it with little effort update the php to make it mobile friendly?

Mac: For that can help you with technical team and they might guide you better.

Mac: Please stay connected

Please wait while I transfer you to an operator at Adobe Service.

You are now chatting with 'Kunwar Tushar Singh' at Adobe Service.

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Hello. Welcome to Adobe Membership Services.

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Mac, How are you doing today?

you: Hello, I am Rob Mouat. Can you read the thread above?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Rob, I apologize for my mistake.

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Rob, How are you doing today?

you: I'm well thank you, how are you?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Rob, I am also good. Thanks for the asking.

you: Can you read the thread above?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: I will surely help you with your concern.

you: Are you there?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Yes Rob, I am here and As per my understanding you need assistance for Dreamweaver?

you: Yes

you: Can you read the thread above?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Yes Rob, I will surely help you with your concern.

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Rob, May I have your e-mail id and your contact number to update your account details?

you: rmouat@comcast.net

you: 810-225-3075

you: cornell publications

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Rob, Thank you so much for providing your e- mail id and contact number.

Kunwar Tushar Singh: Would you please allow me for 1-2 minutes to pullout your subscription details?

you: This is a pre purchase question for the new version of DW. I was transferred to you because the previous person could not help me.

you: I was told the new DW would update an older version (2009-10) of php sufficiently to allow it to be mobile friendly without hiring a re-designed by a developer to meet those specs, I have CS4 what I want to know is if I buy the new version with it with little effort update the php to make it mobile friendly?

Kunwar Tushar Singh: I see that this is a technical issue. I'll need to transfer this chat to the technical support team who will be able to assist you. Is that ok with you?

you: The older version of our website was created using DW and I use it still (CS4) to change things and uopdate pages. The problem is that our website is not mobile friendly. I am hoping we can update the PHP to make it Mobile Friendly.

Please wait while we connect you to a representative.

You are not currently connected to a chat representative.

Thanks for your patience. Representatives are currently helping other customers and we will be with you shortly.

You are not currently connected to a chat representative.

Thanks for your patience. Representatives are currently helping other customers and we will be with you shortly.

You are not currently connected to a chat representative.

Thanks for your patience. Representatives are currently helping other customers and we will be with you shortly.

You are now chatting with Gargi Mishra.
Please don’t close the chat window or browser tab since it will end our chat session.

Gargi Mishra: Hello. Welcome to Adobe Technical Support.

Gargi Mishra: We appreciate your patience and regret the inconvenience due to the high wait time.

Gargi Mishra: How are you doing today?

you: Hello, my name is Rob Mouat. The first chat person told me they were transferring me to a technical team person but I got another non-tech and wasted a lot of time! Are you, the third person I've chatted with, part of the technical team?

Gargi Mishra: I am really sorry for the inconvenience

Gargi Mishra: May I know what issue you are facing?

you: are you part of the technical team?

Gargi Mishra: I am form install team.

you: You are the third person to whom I have been transfered. I need to talk to the TECHNICAL TEAM. How can that be arranged???

Gargi Mishra: I will arrange that. May I know what is the issue that you are facing?

you: Please read all the previous above... I'll try to condense it. I've explained it to each person I talked to

you: This is a pre purchase question for the new version of DW. I was transferred to you because the previous person could not help me. you: I was told the new DW would update an older version (2009-10) of php sufficiently to allow it to be mobile friendly without hiring a re-designed by a developer to meet those specs, I have CS4 what I want to know is if I buy the new version with it with little effort update the php to make it mobile friendly?

Gargi Mishra: Could you please help me with the serial number so that I can check the application details?

you: NO this is a PRE-PURCHASE QUESTION. i HAVE BEEN ON CHAT FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF!

you: I need to be transferred to the TECHNICAL TEAM PLEASE!

Gargi Mishra: I am really sorry. I can but for that I need to verify the serial number.

Gargi Mishra: As I can understand it is CS4, am I correct?

you: I honestly don't know what you are talking about. I am asking a question about buying a product I don't yet own. I am in the wrong department. I know for installation you need a serial number but that is why I need to talk to the TECHNICAL TEAM. I was transferred to you by mistake!!!

Gargi Mishra: So do you want to purchase the application?

you: No, I have CS4 but it will not work for what I need. I need to talk to the TECHNICAL TEAM to see if your new version of DW will fix my problem. Please transfer me to the TECHNICAL TEAM

Gargi Mishra: I can understand you but our technical team works on the latest application but as CS4 is an older application i cannot transfer you to them.

you: I will buy the new version if it will work for me. Please transfer me to the TECHNICAL TEAM

Gargi Mishra: For purchase I need to connect you to the sales team so can I connect you to them?

Gargi Mishra: I am really sorry but Adobe doesnot sell CS6 anymore.

Gargi Mishra:

you: NO, i TALKED TO THEM AND THEY CANNOT ANSWER MY QUESTION. THEY SENT ME TO THE technical team BUT I GOT MISDIRECTED TO YOU. PLEASE TRANSFER ME TO THE TECHJNICAL TEAM.

Gargi Mishra: If you want buy it you need to contact a reseller.

you: YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, CAN'T YOU READ ENGLISH?

Gargi Mishra: I can understand you but to guide you to the correct department I need some information.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Adobe customer care won't help you if you even mention that you use legacy software because they don't support it.

Insofar as re-building a web site to modern code standards, they cannot help you do that either. That's not their job.

Adobe Chat is there to sell and activate new subscriptions or help with installation problems. That's it.

Based on what you wrote in your chat session, you need to hire a developer to help you. New software won't help you if you don't know how to work with code.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Unless you get the opportunity to talk with the "Technical Team", or that was what I was told. After all, my question was a pretty simple one, one that is not unreasonable to have answered before spending the money to buy the flashiest version of the program!

Report · Jun 20, 2018

rob717 wrote
Unless you get the opportunity to talk with the "Technical Team", or that was what I was told. After all, my question was a pretty simple one, one that is not unreasonable to have answered before spending the money to buy the flashiest version of the program!

There is no technical team regarding web design/development at Adobe, and I doubt you will even find more than one or two people who understand what is required of a professional web design/development program within the entire group.

My advice would be to NOT purchase a subscription, as without a good working knowledge of html, css, javascript, and in your case php and sql, paying for Dw or any other program would be a waste of money. A few months ago I would have said forget doing this yourself, but if you do wish to try then start with a free code editor to learn with. My suggestions would be -

Visual Studio Code, or if you are still considering Dw then the Brackets code editor may be a better choice as Dw itself now uses a 'cut down' version of that code editor.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Adobe is one frustrating company. I asked if DW-CC would painlessly transform my site into a mobile friendly site. The answer is apparently NO. Thanks, goodbye. Instead they put me through all the nonsense you can read above for no reason other than incompetence, arrogance or rudeness, take your pick.

I spent 14 months trying to get a new website designed by a "professional" in North Carolina, he failed, cost me money. I spent six weeks with Toptal, that failed. I looked at Shopify and talked to a developer, he wants cash up front... not. I spoke with a developer in New Zealand, his price came in a five time greater than the price of the site they did for a friend that I wanted copied for me.

So, how do you find an hones and competent developer who doesn't have dollar signs spinning around his/her eyeballs?

Report · Jun 20, 2018

rob717 wrote
So, how do you find an hones and competent developer who doesn't have dollar signs spinning around his/her eyeballs?

If I knew the answer to that I would recommend them to everyone.

The main problem is having a very clear idea of what you require, and the real time involved in making that idea a reality. Then finding someone competent enough to do it at that price.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Prices vary be region, cost of living, and strength of currency.

If you live in the US and need an e-commerce site with all the frills,, be prepared to spend $5,000-$10,00 for custom front-end and back-end coding.

If you don't have the budget for that, look at WordPress with the WooCommerce shopping cart plugin and a commercial WP Theme. I also recommend hosting that is optimized for WordPress as ordinary shared hosting is too slow.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jun 21, 2018

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help and advice. You folks are certainly much better informed than those poor people at Adobe "Technical Centre". I am stunned by the company's arrogance and in the face of that stupidity. I don't really blame the script readers although a simple answer of no would have fit nicely.

Report · Jun 26, 2018

Hi Rob717,

Our agents have sufficient knowledge to troubleshoot any issues that you have with your code, but like the ACPs said, their expertise primarily revolves around troubleshooting issues with the software. Our experts on the forum have many more years of real-world expertise and can help you more efficiently with questions related to code and web design.

Having said that, your experience could have been much better, and thank you for sharing the information. I will ensure that I pass on this feedback to the team so that they can improve on it. Apologize for your experience.

There is no magic-bullet solution for converting sites to being mobile-friendly. From my understanding, many companies have tried their hand at this solution with little success. I think the rest of what I want to say has been conveyed by the experts here.

Thanks,

Preran

Report · Jun 20, 2018

rob717 wrote
What are divs?

If you have to ask, you're not using them.

rob717 wrote
I do have a database the fills pages. There is a side strip with links on it and a top strip also with links but all changing information occurs in the third box. Does that help?

No. What is the URL to your current site please?

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jun 20, 2018

cornellpubs.com

Report · Jun 20, 2018

rob717 wrote

I have a website that was designed using Dreamweaver CS4 in PHP. The site is not mobile friendly.

Given that it was created using CS4, the site is probably using the old Dw server behaviours for its server side / database code. Those will not work with PHP version 7+, so they will also require rewritting in order to make them future proof.

Even if your current site uses 'divs', it may be worth updating those to use html5 semantic elements, (would also help in making the site accessible for those requirering it). A lot has changed since CS4, and taking this opportunity to update all the sites code, (html, css, js, php) would not only make the site mobile friendly but make the site friendly to all users no matter what device or screen size they are using.

Report · Jun 20, 2018

Do you have a web developer? That's who you should talk to. Run your site's pages through Google Mobile Friendly Test to see which areas you need to improve.

https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly

To answer your question, there is no magic wand for converting an old site into a modern one. A good mobile friendly site takes a lot of planning, talent and skill with HTML5, CSS, media queries, JavaScript and/or responsive frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation. Dreamweaver CC 2018 is a good tool that can help you achieve your goals but ultimately, the person using the tool is in charge of how it all turns out.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Making website mobile friendly

1 Correct answer