Dreamweaver 4
If you are looking for a quick and easy tool for building a robust Web site, Macromedia Inc.'s updated Dreamweaver 4 delivers a powerful set of tools for both emerging and expert Web developers. Its intuitive WYSIWYG interface allows newcomers to quickly get started with Web design, while challenging intermediate and ad-vanced users with new tricks and functionality that scales to meet a developer's growing needs. In addition, Dreamweaver 4 offers features that specifically benefit educators, such as extensive support for accessibility, a wealth of online learning templates and support for learning management systems. Dreamweaver 4 allows users unfamiliar with Web design to create a Web page without knowing HTML code. Novices can develop Web content easily, since Dreamweaver places the most useful formatting features on a single palette called the Property Inspector. As users select different elements of a page to work on, the Property Inspector changes to reflect the available options. With this single palette, users are able to format text, create links to other pages, insert images and quickly edit the underlying HTML code. Another feature of Dreamweaver 4 is its Site Files window, which helps users understand where to save files and how to publish them to their school Web server by dragging and dropping them from one side of the window to another. Dream-weaver 4 provides incomparable help and reference tools, such as well-written tutorials, directly in the application. In addition, Macromedia's free TrainingCafe.com Web site offers novices a step-by-step template to build a course Web site in Dreamweaver. In a couple of hours, faculty can have a fully functioning course Web site, including syllabus, materials and chat. Macromedia Inc., San Francisco, CA (800) 888-9335, www.macromedia.com/education.
This article originally appeared in the 02/01/2002 issue of THE Journal.