Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good Detail
Comment: The book has interesting tutorials, but I still had many problems with CSS and ended up just using Dreamweaver the old reliable way. I feel he's trying to get me to purchase his other book on CSS by not having enough details to get the basics working properly on all browsers. On the other hand, I'm not experienced with code, and perhaps I need an even simpler book. I ended up also buying Dreamweaver for Dummies which is more basic but not detailed. I needed both books to set up my site and the gadgets & CSS didnt work for me the way this booked explained. Could be my ignorance, but it should have walked me through it in a better way. Parts of the book were great like setting up a site, linking, etc. but what I really wanted to know is CSS, but seems I'll have to buy his other book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Was this written just for me?
Comment: Great book. Written in conversational style for non-techies like me. A thousand times easier to understand than the manual that comes with the software. This is my bible for Dreamweaver.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual
Comment: All right I admit it, I have been known to resist change. But it appears that Dreamweaver is rising higher and higher in the sky as the star called Adobe GoLive nears the western horizon. As one who derives at least some income from web site design and maintenance I understand the need to start the process of migrating to the new mainstream product. The question then becomes, "What do I use to help me ascend the learning curve?" Time and budget constraints preclude formal classes, workshops or personal trainers.
Enter "Dreamweaver CS3" from the highly acclaimed "Missing Manual" series. The Missing Manuals have long been a regular part of my computer reference library. Helping me, time and again answer not only my own questions but those of my clients as well.
Mr. McFarland presents the material in a well organized, clearly written, easy to understand format. The illustrations are a mixed bag of PC and Mac screen shots so no one feels excluded or exclusive. But for me the most valuable parts of the book are the lessons. These lessons are stored on a related web site not on a CD stuck in the back of the book. This virtual CD can't get lost, bent, scratched or broken. It can also be easily updated if an error is detected. What a great and simple idea! That being said it is the lessons themselves that teach me the most about Dreamweaver. Common scenarios are played out in a way that allow me to apply much of what I already know to the Dreamweaver experience. I find myself virtually slapping my virtual forehead and saying, "Oh, that's how you do that! It is starting to make sense now." Furthermore, the lessons gave me new insights into basics (CSS for example) that I didn't understand previously and have been able to apply when using my old software of choice.
This book is an excellent self tutoring guide opening much of the common, real world web design experience to the Dreamweaver novice. It is what I need at this time. The only way that I could fault the work is, I wish it were a little more "Reference Manual" to go along with the valuable textbook. There have been times where I wanted to know how to do something in Dreamweaver that is comfortable for me in GoLive and I am unable to find the Missing Manual reference. Perhaps I am looking for expanded indexes or additional Appendixes. Maybe I want David Sawyer McFarland to be sitting next to me when I have a question. Perhaps this is expecting too much for my $45. Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual will find a spot close at hand on my reference shelf even if it is not constantly on the desk absorbing spilled coffee and dispensing answers to every question.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One word....WOW!
Comment: This book is so easy to follow a monkey could build a webpage with it. I have been building computers for a decade, but building webpages has always seemed out of reach. The book is designed in a way that if you want the fine details...it's there...if you want to skip ahead to create that one thing on your webpage you can jump straight to the tutorials. McFarland is truly a master at writing manuals. Don't wait any longer, do youself a favor and GET THIS BOOK!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent learning tool and ongoing resource
Comment: This is an outstanding introduction to both the general concepts and the detailed processing of Dreamweaver CS3, written in a way easy to understand. It took me about 4 weeks to get through the 940 pages but I felt I was learning throughout the process. While obviously a fan of the program, McFarland also points out where it is lacking or confusing, and provides helpful workarounds. The tutorials are comprehensive and instructive. The book exceeded my expectations as a tool for trying to learn the program. As I convert my existing site to DW CS3, I'm now using it as a resource.
I did find a surprising number of typos, though none were terribly distracting. Things like "see page xx" and incorrect file names when describing the steps of the tutorials.
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