I've used Dreamweaver may times in the past and now currently. I don't use it primarily but just for certain tasks. It's pretty easy to learn after you know the very basics of it's layout. I don't use it much anymore because of the way it handles my code. It seems to change my code in a way that every page I load into it looks messed up even though it is compatible. I just use something like TextPad for just those reasons.

To me Dreamweaver is designed for different levels of users and I have been using it for quite some time now. What I like about it most is the plugin capability and integration of other Macromedia programs. I use it for everything including css and java editing.

It reminds me of Microsoft Office because it has similar characteristics. You can grow with it as you become more proficient. And I must say that it’s hard for someone to tell you how long it will take you to develop a site because that depends on your skills and how much time you devote to it on a daily basis.

Guys,
Since there's so much of talk about DreamWeaver - I got my hands on the eBook titled "DreamWeaver MX 2004 BIBLE" by Joseph W. Lowery published by Wiley Publishing. I can try put it up on a place from where you guys can grab it - only if I receive a lot of responses to this post. It's huge - 34.5 Meg !!! So it'll be a big pain for me to put it up - besides I lost the link to the original download site..

Chapter overview:
-----------------------
Chapters 1-5: Dreamweaver Basic
Chapters 6-10: Web Design & Layout Fundamentals
Chapters 11-17: Advanced Design Tools & Techniques
Chapters 18-22: Incorporating Dynamic Data
Chapters 23-26: Adding Multimedia Elements
Chapters 27-31: Enhancing Website Management & Workflow
Chapters 32-35: Extending Dreamweaver
-----------------------

Well, for someone such as myself, who doesn't know the difference between php, html, and xhtml (I'm not a noob, I just was out of the loop for a while), dreamweaver, when paired up with fireworks and possibly flash, is one of the best programs you can use. Frontpage sites, imo, suck. But dreamweaver gives you so much freedom. Not as much as a plain text html editor, but since its been about 9 years since I've coded html, I don't mind. Well, here's a review of what I've used and I learned most of it in about an hour. Very nice, and simple templates. Usually I ignore templates on any program, but these are usable. Also, the built in tutorials, as with all macromedia programs I have used (except freehand. Ug.) are nice. Creating hotspots in images to use as links is a click and drag process. Linking to external sites, I.e. Going from index.html to www.relientk.com, is frustrating at times, but if you remember the http:// its not that bad. I'm trying to figure out how to play streaming sound as a background, and I'll make a tutorial when I do. A lot of editing is visual, but it is possible to use it as a code editor, making it versatile. I tried editing a page I made in frontpage, and the lack of options almost made me contemplate suicide. Dreamweaver is fairly easy to jump into, and I would recommend it. It shouldn't take too long, unless you hapen to like the ever so limited frontpage.
Peace
Aaron

I use dreamweaver. I think it's pretty handy and expensive. Well at least Dreamweaver MX, I've had some problem with Dreamweaver 4. I use it fine, no problems really. I mean as long as I can create pages, I'm fine. I don't need any Mega-Ultra Webpage designing super program. It contains pretty much anything you want as far as designing web pages, and the results are great. I make my site in Dreamweaver.

Well I downloaded the demo, and well it was all greek to me really, and me learning Dm2oo4 would be like learning Chinese. I dont even know what all the programs do, I got a guide book from the library and fireworks and other stuff too!
I think I will give up and pay someone else to do it!
thanks for your suggestions, but i think you are all at a different level to me!
chris


http://www.antiquephotographer.com

heh... i learned from video tutorials... its very usefull

Dreamweaver is easy to use. It doesn't take long to master it. All there is to master are the codes if you're going to use them. however you don't need to master HTML codes unlike the server-side scripting ones. dreamweaver types the HTML codes for you. But you don't reall need Dreamweaver to make a professional wesite. You need good creativity to make a good one. I've mastered Flash, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop, the three top programs for making the best websites and my site still suck. It's because im lacking the creativity requirement which i need to build on.

Dreamweaver is practically the most and beneficial program to use for web development. Once you learn the basics of dreamweaver to be able to use it to its full potential you must pair it up with other programs to design professionally. For example, you can pair it up with Flash, Fireworks, Photoshop. Because dreamweaver alone can handle some of the features that the other program offers, but it could include its features in dreamweaver in some way or form. The combinations of these program will definitely make your webpage more professional.

And on the topic of how long it would take for you to master, I believe you cant really fully master a program on a certain time frame. Because everytime you use the program you are always learning something new. So the learning curve for this program is probably infinite...

Yeah, knowing the basic information is really handy. The rest of the features you can explore via experimentation along the way. I webmaster part-time and I just use only some of the stuff in Dreamweaver.

There are many sites which offer really good advise on all photoshop, dreamweaver etc.. But you can check this site as well - they show you only the essential and basic things. In fact you can learn all either photoshop, flash or dreamweaver in a matter of hours.

Check it out at www.Gowebguru.Com

Gd luck to you!

-reply by Mike