Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 Magic - Softcover

Massimo Foti began using Dreamweaver on the very day the first beta was available, and he has used Dreamweaver ever since.

Massimo has been a prolific extension developer since the pioneering days of Dreamweaver 1. He is the creator of http://www.massimocorner.com, and winner of the Macromedia Best Extension Developer award in 2000 and Top New Extension for Dreamweaver MX. His extensions are featured on the Macromedia Exchange for Dreamweaver and have been featured in many books and magazines.

He is a certified Dreamweaver developer and certified Advanced ColdFusion developer. His tips, articles and custom tags for ColdFusion are available on http://www.cfmentor.com, the web site of the Italian CFUG.

Massimo works at http://www.amila.ch developing database driven websites using ColdFusion and PHP with different RDMSs, his work ranges from database design to server- and client-side programming for web-based applications.

An avid reader of computer books, he often works as tech editor, contributor, and reviewer for publishers like Osborne, New Riders, Glasshaus, and O'Reilly. Acknowledgment: Thanks to Angela and Dan for brilliantly taking care of all the dirty jobs, allowing me to just have fun with code. To all the people at http://www.amila.ch; most of my work on this book is inspired by what we do there day by day. As you may know, ColdFusion developers get the best women (even if Macromedia doesn't tell you about that); so once again I had the pleasure to work with the wonderful ladies at New Riders. Very special thanks to Federica and Tiziana, for all the times I sit in front of a PC and forget about the rest. You are the best things in my life.

Angela C. Buraglia used to be a makeup artist for independent film, but she needed a career that would allow her to work from home and raise her son. Although she intended only to be a web developer, life's path has led her to become that and more. She is perhaps best known as the founder of DreamweaverFAQ.com, a site dedicated to serving the Dreamweaver community which she continues to run today with Daniel Short. In addition to this book, Angela is also the co-author of Dreamweaver MX Killer Tips and Dreamweaver MX 2004 Killer Tips with Joseph Lowery. She was a contributing author to Dreamweaver MX Magic, the lead technical editor for the Dreamweaver MX Bible (Wiley), and a contributing author to ColdFusion MX Web Application Construction Kit (Macromedia Press). Long gone are the days of applying makeup; now Angela applies Behaviors and CSS to web sites¿and most importantly¿is home with her little boy.

Acknowledgment: Massimo, your guidance since I started Dreamweaver is really worth more than mere thanks. I'm not sure I could ever repay you (but keep reading). Daniel Short, this book just wouldn't be the same without your magic touch. Working with my best friend is always a pleasure. I couldn't have done this book without your help and support. Next time I see you two, count on dinner. I would be remiss to not mention all the people who have helped and inspired me throughout the years, unfortunately I can't name all of you in this small space. I am forever thankful to you nonetheless. Linda Bump, I've learned so much about the authoring process from you and I appreciate all you've done for me. Thanks to the team at New Riders. I must say that this has been one incredible group of people to work with; thank you to all of the contributing authors.

Daniel Short is the chief developer for Web Shorts Site Design as well as a devoted Team Macromedia Volunteer and uses almost the entire Macromedia Studio including Fireworks, ColdFusion, and Dreamweaver. He helps to maintain several HTML and Dreaweaver reference sites including http://www.dwfaq.com, for which he created the style changer and all ASP functionality, including the Snippets Exchange and the DWfaq Store.

He's also written articles for several resource sites, including AListApart.com, Spider-Food.net, the MM Designer and Developer Center (http://www.macromedia.com/desdev) and DWfaq.com. Dan is also a contributing author for the dynamic chapters in the Dreamweaver MX Bible (Wiley) and the previous edition of Dreamweaver MX Magic. He has also presented at several Dreamweaver conferences including the first two TODCONs and CFNorth.

Acknowledgment: I'd like to thank all of the wonderful people in this industry who have allowed me to stand on their shoulders so I could reach a little higher. I wouldn't be where I am today without the likes of Massimo (yes, even though you harass me about ColdFusion) and Angela helping me out day to day, whether through helping me learn or simply bombarding me with feature requests. And a special thanks to the Lindas, for keeping us artsy types in line and making sure that we produced the best material we could.

Kim Cavanaugh is a teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County (Florida) where he has been teaching middle school students web design using Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash since 1999. Kim is also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Community College where he teaches Dreamweaver and Flash.

The author of two beginner's guides for Dreamweaver and Fireworks (Osborne/McGraw-Hill), Kim has also developed course materials for the Learning Library (UK) and contributed to the Macromedia Studio MX Bible (Wiley). Kim has contributed numerous articles to Macromedia DevNet and writes extensively for CommunityMX.com, covering the full range of Studio MX products.

Kim lives in West Palm Beach with his wife and daughter and loves all things associated with life in South Florida¿especially warm weather, the Miami Dolphins, inshore fishing, and Jimmy Buffett tunes.

Acknowledgment: As always, my thanks to the beautiful brown-eyed girls in my life, Kayleen and Katy, for your love, support, and patience.

Every journey starts with an itch that needs to be scratched. For Danilo Celic, Jr., the itch was a two years' out-of-date company phone book. Because of that phone book, Danilo decided to take matters into his own hands, learning HTML via the hand code in Notepad-save-preview in browser-rinse/lather/repeat method of creating web pages. First introduced to Dreamweaver at version 1.2 from a cover CD off an imported computer magazine, Danilo soon learned that coding everything manually wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and jumped in using every version since. Currently a partner at CommunityMX.com and a member of Team Macromedia, Danilo frequently comes to the aid of budding extension developers in the Macromedia support forums. While the languages of the web world change continuously, the late hours stay the same, which is unfortunate for his lovely wife, Melissa.

Acknowledgment: Thanks to my wife, Melissa, for her unceasing patience when I spend way too much time on computer stuff. Also, thanks to Angela Buraglia for being so kind and wonderful, and mostly for never giving up when I say it can't be done. To Dan Short, for server space and not laughing too hard at my bad jokes. To Massimo, for his generosity in sharing his expertise in many topics, from coding to water polo coaching. And to the three of them for asking me to participate in this wonderful little project.

Kevin French is the founder and president of MM2K Inc., a full service Internet company. Formed in 1998 as simply a web design agency, MM2K has expanded its suite of services to also include Internet access, web hosting, dynamic application development, custom e-commerce solutions, and strategic Internet consulting. On the design and development front, Kevin is a self-taught Fireworks designer and a Macromedia Dreamweaver Developer Certified Professional. His design, development, and project management skills have earned him and his company numerous industry awards and accolades. His clientele list includes United States Governors, Senators, Congressman, professional athletes, state universities, and established corporations.

Kevin has been a lifetime resident of the beautiful New Jersey shore. When he is not "plugged in," you can find him mountain biking, hiking, and driving on the back country roads of New Jersey.

Acknowledgment: I would like to thank my beautiful girlfriend, Jocelyn, for supporting and motivating me to help me achieve my dreams. Together, the world and ultimate happiness is ours. I love you. I would like to thank Mark Haynes of Macromedia for sharing his vast knowledge of Fireworks since I began using it when it was first introduced. Mark is a true asset to Macromedia and the entire Macromedia community. Kleanthis Economou (http://www.projectfireworks.com) and Linda Rathberger (http://www.playingwithfire.com) have both been instrumental in my understanding of Fireworks and I am grateful for their assistance through the years.

Brad Halstead (http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com) is a computer software engineering technologist by trade, but deviated from that dream to join the Canadian military as an air weapons systems technician where he learned all about various computerized aircraft weapons systems as well as loading the munitions. Brad has dabbled in the web in various capacities since 1989 and left the military to become a full-time computer technician. Brad tries to play an active roll in the support forums for Dreamweaver, Contribute and Project Seven, as time permits him to. Brad is HTML 4.01 Certified, and has contributed content to Dreamweaver MX Magic and Inside Dreamweaver MX, in addition to being a technical editor for both publications. Recently, Brad co-authored Dreamweaver MX Templates and has been accepted as a Team Macromedia Member for Contribute.

He lives in London, Ontario with his cherished partner Brenda and their daughters Megan and Amanda, son Aaron, two Yorkshire Terriers, and their newest addition, a Sheltie.

Acknowledgment: Thank you to the following people for inviting me to participate in this project: Massimo Foti, Angela Buraglia, Dan Short, and Linda Bump. I'd like to also thank Linda Laflamme (Copy Editor), the Tech Editors (Danilo Celic and Matt Brown), and all the other people involved in the book's production. Of course, thanks to Macromedia for engineering Dreamweaver MX 2004!

Joel Martinez creates enterprise-level web applications using the .NET Framework (amongst other technologies). He started the Orlando .NET User Group to promote the use of .NET within his local community and strives to teach anyone who will listen the virtues of Microsoft's brainchild. He is also a partner at Community MX (http://www.communitymx.com).

Acknowledgment: First and foremost I'd like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to work on such a wonderful project. Thanks to the New Riders team for allowing me to spread the .NET gospel. Much thanks goes out to my high school teacher, Sharon Christensen-Jones; she is a testament to the important role teachers play in our society. To my parents for always working hard to give me what I needed, and my brother for always lending a hand. Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to thank my wife and daughter, Tabbitha and Layla, for being so supportive in this and other ventures. I love you.

Stephanie Sullivan is a web developer, a partner at CommunityMX (http://www.communitymx.com), and owner of VioletSky Design (http://www.violetsky.net). Somewhere in all that, she is also the wife of a screenwriter and mother of two awesome boys who she has home schooled all their lives.

In addition to her articles at Macromedia's DevNet Center, her weekly writing and support at CommunityMX focuses on Dreamweaver, design principles, CSS, HTML/XHTML, color, and web business issues. Stephanie's background in art and color theory as well as her deep interest in standards, CSS, and accessibility, allow her to create highly visual, standards-compliant, low-bandwidth web sites.

In her spare time, of which there is sadly very little, she spends time with her family at the beach, the historic downtown district, and geocaching with her boys. To force herself "out of the chair" she recently joined a volleyball team.

Acknowledgment: I am deeply indebted to those who have paved the way for the standards revolution¿Jeffrey Zeldman and Eric Meyer are my two favorites, as much for their humor as their brilliance and bravery. Also, much thanks goes to my favorite bug squashers and friends: "Big John" Gallant, Holly Bergevin, and Philippe Whittenberg who have helped me work out numerous browser issues over the past few months. To my husband Timothy, thanks for your support, guidance, love, and patience. I know it hasn't been easy. And to my sons Cameron and Hunter, I know it's tough at times when mom "goes missing." Thanks for filling in the gaps around the house. You guys are the best. I love you.

Although a biochemist by training, Murray R. Summers has spent the last 20 years working in the computer industry. In 1998, Murray started his own web site production company, Great Web Sights (http://www.great-web-sights.com). As a Team Macromedia member, he also participates in the sponsored forums for Dreamweaver and other products. He lives in rural Philadelphia with his lovely wife Suzanne, their teenaged daughter Carly, a Golden Retriever, an Eskipoo, a mutt of unknown derivation, and a goldfish.

Murray is a Macromedia Certified Web Site Developer and Dreamweaver Developer, and has contributed chapters to Dreamweaver 4 Magic by Al Sparber, and Dreamweaver 4: The Missing Manual, by David Sawyer McFarland (Pogue Press/O'Reilly). He has authored the premier treatment of advanced Template properties, Dreamweaver MX Templates with Brad Halstead. He has managed to embarrass himself several times as an invited speaker at TODCON, TODCON II, TODCON North, and TODCON MX.

Acknowledgment: Thank you to Al Sparber for his generous teaching on the Macromedia Dreamweaver Forum. Thank you also to David McFarland for teaching me the technique of using Optional Regions in his excellent Dreamweaver MX: The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O'Reilly).

Edoardo Zubler is a multimedia developer who specializes in creating rich media applications for a wide range of devices and platforms. He has produced both front end and back end solutions for tablet PCs, set-top boxes, and handheld PDAs. During his career he has been involved in pioneering projects such as the development and implementation of a content repurposing system based on Macromedia Generator for the first regular digital terrestrial (DVB-t) data broadcasting service in Europe. He has developed many Flash-based rich client applications for fixed and mobile devices.

As a Team Macromedia Volunteer, Edoardo has written several articles and developed a number extensions for many Macromedia products including FlashBang! (http://www.flashbangmedia.com) with Joseph Lowery. He also runs Aftershape (http://www.aftershape.com), his own personal web site, where he showcases his "digital oddities".

Acknowledgment: I'd like to thank my family for all the support. Many thanks to the authors of this book and the people at New Riders for their friendliness. A special thank-you to Massimo Foti for all the help he has given me and for being such a good friend.

Developing technical...