Dreamweaver 2 ...
Feb. 22, 1999 (Windows Magazine - CMP via COMTEX) -- Though it isn't
always obvious, most good Web pages are carefully designed by a partnership between an artist/designer and a Webmaster. One of the challenges of this arrangement is getting a good design from the artist's canvas to the Internet.
The first tool to address this issue was Macromedia's Dreamweaver, which supported both HTML and the design tools and features necessary for creating sophisticated compositions. However, the first version suffered from poor table control and site building tools, and its HTML support was weak.
With version 2, Macromedia rectifies those sins, offering a Web authoring tool that should be an artist's choice for bringing designs to fruition in full-fledged Web sites.
It's still not a tool for everyone, though. For general business users, Dreamweaver can't take the place of a product such as FrontPage 98. FrontPage includes prebuilt Web site themes and wizards that help neophytes quickly build Web pages. Dreamweaver does not.
A sophisticated set of tools
I can't imagine a better program than this for building a complex page based on a complex design. In version 2, Dreamweaver gets a crucial new tool, the Tracing Layer, which allows Webmasters to "trace over" scanned-in images designed by other artists. This method of page development is amazingly quick and effective. I used it to create a new Resources and Recreation page (R&R) for our Web site (http://www.winmag.com/rr). Once I'd gotten all the layers exactly where I wanted them, I converted the page to a table format.
NetObjects Fusion also lets you convert layers into a table, but unfortunately it does not include a tracing layer.
Dreamweaver 2 also adds the HTML editing tool HomeSite 4.0 to its package to help you make adjustments at the HTML level. Other bundled tools include Allaire's Cold Fusion application server objects, Internet Explorer 4.01, Netscape Navigator 4.5, Shockwave for Windows and Dreamweaver extensions.
Macromedia does a good job of adding flashy, useful new features to its products. Dreamweaver has new precoded JavaScript rollover objects. More intense effects will require you to use Dreamweaver's behaviors. The product lets your establish which browsers you want to support before you access some of the higher, DHTML functions not supported in all browsers.
If you have novice Web designers on your team, you can use the Dream
Templates function to help them get started. With these, the
Webmaster/designer creates site templates that include editable and locked regions. In this way, you can control the level of access novices have as they work with the templates. Templates also make it easy to propagate design changes across a site in a hurry. I prototyped a new Web Authoring Central section for this review (see it on our site at
winmag.com and built a simple template.
On the server side
One of Dreamweaver's most powerful attributes it its ability to work with Server-Side Includes (SSIs). These are HTML page components that can be called into any page with a simple command. Many other HTML authoring systems let you use SSIs, but Dreamweaver is one of the few applications that translates them offline on the fly, and let's you see how they'll look on your page.
Manage your site
Site management is another beefed-up area. Dreamweaver still can't rival the abilities of FrontPage, HomeSite or HotDog-for instance, it doesn't include the workgroup features offered by FrontPage 98 or 2000-but still quite usable. A new Site window lists files and displays a site map in the left pane. The site map is as good as any we've seen in competing products. Dreamweaver 2 also adds site-wide editing functions such as global tag case control, link management, and global search and replace. The last is good for small sites, but unlike HotDog's Multiple File Search and Replace tool, Dreamweaver cannot search noncontiguous directories, and it doesn't offer to make backups of all the files it's changing.
Without question, this is a Web authoring environment artists will love. Webmasters who want to work visually will be pleased, too. Novices and Microsoft Office users, though, will not find enough hand-holding here to satisfy their needs. If you're in the latter group, I suggest you try our WinList product, FrontPage 98.
--Quick View--
Dreamweaver 2
Bottom Line: With the inclusion of HomeSite and Cold Fusion, Dreamweaver 2 is a powerful Web authoring suite, but the core application will appeal most to Web pros and artists, not casual business users
Platforms: 98, 95, NT
Pros: Powerful suite of applications; excellent visual page-design tools; strong template control; rich DHTML features
Cons: Average site management; no hand-holding or wizards
Price: $299
Macromedia, 800-326-2128, 415-252-2000. Winfo #759
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By: Lance Ulanoff
Copyright 1999 CMP Media Inc. |
