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The most important first step in starting
web design with Dreamweaver is that Dreamweaver
has a built-in mechanism for aiding in site
maintenance. The software will update links,
letting you move things around without disrupting
your creative workflow by havingto tediously
update a bunch of hard-coded url links.
To accomplish this, Dreamweaver has to have
an idea of the structure of the site. A what's
what and where is it schema to which it can
refer to when trying to make your life that
much easier.
When you first open up the application, this
is the first dialog box that you will get.
Take time to carefully fill in the information.
It will be useful to you in the long run.
Site Name
This is just an internal reference for you
and Dreamweaver to share. It will not be published,
so just name the site something you can identify
easily from within the Sites window.
Local
Root Folder
This is the big one. Everything must be placed
within one folder that mirrors the structure
of what you will have on the web server. Make
a folder on your hard drive, select it from
within this window and from that point on
work your site in Dreamweaver's Site Window.
Refresh Local
File List Automatically
Everytime you open the site in Dreamweaver,
this option checks for new files in your folder
and adds them to your Site Window. A nice
feature to leave on.
HTTP Address
This is not required at the very beginning
but will be useful when you start publishing
to the web. It helps to maintain live links
on your pages.
Enable Cache
This is a database of information that Dreamweaver
stores on your drive to accelerate certain
operations. A definite asset.
Remote Info
This is the information you will need to specify
in order to use Dreamweaver as your FTP client.
Not necessary to complete this section now
as you can always do it later when you are
ready to upload.
Design Notes
These are notes that Dreamweaver lets you
create and share with other members of your
web design team. They can be uploaded to the
server, so if your team works physically far
away from each other it isn't an issue.
Site Map Layout
and File
View Columns
You can specify preferences as to how and
what information is displayed inside the site
window. The default values are okay. You can
change them as your web development style
grows and your needs become more specific.
You must however define the Home
Page here. Without that information,
Dreamweaver's site management capabilities
are severely hindered if not rendered completely
useless.
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