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Tips For Using Dreamweaver |
** IMPORTANT - YOU MAY ONLY USE DREAMWEAVER ON YOUR PROJECTS, NOT ON YOUR LAB ASSIGNMENTS! **
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE USING DREAMWEAVER
- Make sure that all of your documents are XHTML compliant.
- Make sure that your preferences are set correctly to have all code in lowercase and that all attribute values are in double quotes (example: bgcolor="#FFFFFF").
- Be sure to add the comment tags with your name, date and project number on appropriate pages (index.html).
- Use the code view more than the design view to make sure that your pages are correctly formatted and that you're using what you have learned in lectures/labs.
HOW TO CREATE AN XHTML COMPLIANT DOCUMENT
- Open Dreamweaver (if you are on a lab computer it is located under "Shared Applications -> Macromedia -> Dreamweaver MX").
- Go under "File -> New" (or control + N).
- Select HTML document.
- Before clicking the "Create" button, make sure that the checkbox is marked in the bottom right corner of the dialog box (the box should
read "Make document XHTML compliant").
- Hit the "Create" button and your new document will open.
- Make sure to use this process when ever you open a new document to be sure each one is following the proper XHTML guidelines.
TIPS FOR USING DREAMWEAVER
- Be sure to go under "Edit -> Preferences" (or control + U) to make sure that your options (such as lowercase tags) are properly selected.
- While editing your preferences, make sure that under "General" you are using the strong and em tags instead of bold and italic tags as well as using CSS.
- Still editing preferences, make sure that under "Code Format" you are using lowercase tags, that attributes are in double quotes and that you are using the div tag
to center your text not the center tag.
- Under "New Document" within your prefereces you can also select to make each document XHMTL complaint so you do not have to check the box each time you create a new page; this will verify that for you.
- Remember about the "Find and Replace" tools in Dreamweaver for correcting your code if need be (this is under "Edit").
- Under "View -> Code View Options" you can select various things such as word wrap, highlighting invalid HTML code and line numbers.
- Use both the code view and design view (split screen) while creating your pages. Relying completely on the design view will lead to improper code
and a deduction in points in your projects.
NOTE - Please keep in mind that although using Dreamweaver may seem like it's making your projects, and your life, easier that there are plenty of things that can go wrong
and lead to problems with your projects. When all else fails, type the code in yourself rather than using dropdown menu options and the hints within Dreamweaver to make
sure that you are using everything you learned in lectures/labs properly. You do NOT need to use the design view to create a successful project.
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