| Upgrade to Dreamweaver CS3? Or stick with | | | | Although use of the mobile platform to view web |
| Dreamweaver 8? This is a question that many web | | | | pages has become increasingly popular, it was |
| designers who own Dreamweaver 8 are asking | | | | previously a rather challenging task to design pages |
| themselves as they consider whether it would be | | | | that are compatible for viewing on both a mobile |
| worth their money or their Web Design | | | | platform and a web browser one. Dreamweaver CS3 |
| company’s money to upgrade their design | | | | makes those challenges a thing of the past. |
| software. Since it is your job as a web designer to | | | | Web design feature #4: Ajax Implementation Now |
| work with the software in question, the onus of | | | | Made Possible |
| deciding whether the new version will improve | | | | Adding Ajax widgets and effects to the web pages |
| service and overall work quality or not. Many web | | | | that you create is now possible through the |
| designers are also wary of the fact that Macromedia | | | | incorporation of the Spry framework in to |
| has been acquired by Adobe and are wondering | | | | Dreamweaver CS3. A simple drag and drop operation |
| whether the new owners have improved or | | | | will deposit them into your dataset. Transition effects |
| destroyed this piece of software. It is my opinion | | | | such as shrinking, growing, highlighting and fading, |
| that there is no clear choice between the two. The | | | | integration of XML feed data and widgets for tables |
| choice you eventually make must be determined by | | | | lists and forms are just some of the features of |
| what you require from your design software. | | | | Spry that have been included in Dreamweaver CS3. |
| Web design feature #1: Adobe and Dreamweaver | | | | Web design feature #5: XLST Support |
| Together | | | | XLST support is a major feature of CS3 and both |
| Some web design companies may find the integration | | | | you and your design company will be delighted by |
| between the new Dreamweaver software and | | | | the support included through the use of XML files as |
| existing Adobe tools a good enough reason to | | | | the database source. Viewing of the XML and |
| purchase the Dreamweaver CS3. Images can easily | | | | integration into any HTML documents are made easy |
| be transferred from one software to another and | | | | through XLST. Web designers who possess XML files |
| some designers find this feature very attractive. | | | | of the same format can easily create a single |
| Web design feature #2: CSS Support Made Better | | | | template for them by using XLST. |
| Designers will likely find that one of the best new | | | | Web Design feature #6: Support for Mac Intel |
| features of Dreamweaver CS3 are the fresh and | | | | Processors |
| improved CSS layouts. The software code contains | | | | CS3 is now also native to the Intel-based Macintosh |
| detailed commentaries related to how these layouts | | | | platform, and load times have been significantly |
| function so understanding how to use them is a | | | | reduced. The company behind CS3 claims that, |
| relatively simple affair. There are currently 32 | | | | whereas Dreamweaver 8 previously required four |
| different layouts to choose from, in 1, 2, or 3-column | | | | minutes to load, CS3 now accomplishes the same |
| designs, and in fixed or liquid design layouts. The | | | | feat in under one minute. However, these claims |
| starting position of the CSS is easily defined and | | | | have yet to be verified by proper testing. |
| subsequent movement is also simple and easy. | | | | To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade |
| Designers can simply style the tag directly into the | | | | The question does not have an easy answer. |
| HTML through a style attribute, then transfer it to | | | | Personally, I chose to upgrade and have not looked |
| their style sheet. In Dreamweaver CS3, “Convert | | | | back since. The new CSS features, XLST support |
| Inline CSS to Rule” appears on a single right click | | | | and Device Central are all wonderful new additions to |
| of the tag and a custom class for that particular style | | | | the software. However, live databases and server |
| or a full CSS selector is easily created. | | | | side scripts are still difficult to use with Dreamweaver |
| Web design feature #3: Mobile Support | | | | CS3 and this may discourage web design companies |
| The incorporation of Adobe Device Central into | | | | from purchasing the software. If, at the end of it all, |
| Dreamweaver CS3 also makes designing pages for | | | | you choose to upgrade, it is unlikely that you will |
| viewing on mobile platforms much easier than before. | | | | regret the money spent. |