Web Designers Please Help

[MrPOOF]

Hello.

Please forgive my lack of experience, and I'm sorry if this question sounds really stupid.

I started learning how to use Dreamweaver several months ago. Since then I have designed a couple websites for friends, and am now designing my own website. My main interest is graphics though, and I am learning Photoshop, Paintshop, and Flash.

Anyway, the sites I have done using Dreamweaver are looking and working great. I'm wondering what I have missed though. If I am making good sites using it, why should I look into using anything else? Most people say that Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver UltraDev are excellent programs (allthough a bit expensive), but some say they prefer doing all the coding stuff themselves.

Can you tell me the advantages and disadvantages of Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver UltraDev?

What does PHP do for me, and why would I want to learn it?

I am still a newbie, but I have made some really good looking and smooth operating websites with Dreamweaver. I just want to learn why some people like it and some people don't, and if I should be using something else.

Again, I apologize for my lack of experience. I am just trying to get some different opinions on Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver UltraDev.

I guess my main question is this. >> If I am making really nice websites with Dreamweaver already, what else (if anything) should I consider using or incorporating with it?

Please share your experience, knowledge, feedback, mindless ramblings (hehe ) or whatever. Pros and Cons.

 

[Workin']

<< What does PHP do for me, and why would I want to learn it? >>

PHP is an open-source server-side scripting language. It helps you make web pages with dynamic content and is good for tying together your web pages with database back-ends. It's similar to Microsoft's ASP and can do lots of things Perl and CGI can do but is a little easier to learn. It's also easier to learn than JavaScript, in many people's opinions. These forums are written using Cold Fusion, another server-side scripting language, albeit an expensive and powerful one.

You can do just about everything you need to do with Dreamweaver, but it is mandatory to know HTML if you want to get really fancy or do advanced things or, most importantly, figure out the problem when things go wrong. You'll also need a good grasp of HTML to use any scripting languages.

My opinion is that the people who do all their HTML coding by hand are gluttons for punishment and are kinda like people who still churn their own butter. I say leave the grunt work to Dreamweaver or FrontPage and concentrate your talents where they can make a difference. Like creating better graphics, adding user interaction to your sites, etc.

 

[SmiZ]

IMHO, it's always good to know at least basic HTML when you're building pages. Sort of like knowing at least a little bit about what makes your car run. Being able to write you own code allows you to optimize your page and possibly load faster. You can also do some great things with photoshop and image ready (usually bundled with photoshop) in order to get a page more streamlined. I think dreamweaver is a great utility and I use it myself in many cases, but I also like to edit my code in text form.

I typically design the layout and graphics in photoshop, optimize in image ready, then use an html editor to add text, java script, table design, and anything else a particular page is using. If you want to learn some basic html, which I suggest you do, THIS site is very useful.

Post links to your work and you will get some excellent critiques from the members here. A couple of my roommates and I have just started doing professional web design. Here's some sites that were designed by one of my roommates using the provess described above when he worked for a company called Pixel Head

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Hope that helps answer your question.

 

[MrPOOF]

<< &quot;I say leave the grunt work to Dreamweaver or FrontPage and concentrate your talents where they can make a difference. Like creating better graphics, adding user interaction to your sites, etc.&quot; >>



Hi 'Workin'. Well that's exactly how I feel too. Thank god I'm not alone!

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing something. Heck, this Dreamweaver UltrDev is awesome. There is a lot to learn, and I will probably never know it all, but it's an awesome program. I figure I just need to make sure my HTML skills keep improving, and then keep on trucking with Dreamweaver!

Edit- Thanks for the links 'SmiZ'. I'm going to check them out.

 

[SmiZ]

MrPOOF:

Just a quick suggestion, go to your profile and enable private messages. It allows people to send you direct messages.

 

[marcio]

Dreamweaver adds so much junk to your html code, that altering html code by hand is a must. e.g. I do all my tables by hand now. It's faster, and the code is cleaner and leaner.