Sarasota PC Monitor
Adobe GoLive CS
A Software Review
by Sharon Rump
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.Web page development seems to get easier each time I create a new page. The evolution of software has made it easy for even the most novice of computer users. You don’t really need to know a word of code to create a page that can be uploaded various ways and hang out with those created by the professionals.
When I started to get interested in web page development, I purchased a book entitled “How to Learn HTML in 24 Hours”. While it has been a lot longer than that, I still don’t know all of the html that is necessary to create a good web page. I must say that reading the book has given me an understanding of how the language/code works and makes it a bit easier for me to read code that has been generated by the programs that I use.
One can create a web page in a word processing program such as Word, working with pure text, adding some graphics and then choosing the option to save as a web page. While that does work, it has some limitations and it is much easier to work with a program designed specifically to create web pages.
Adobe continues to be one of my favorite companies for creating software. Their latest version of GoLive makes it so easy to build a page with all the bells and whistles that you could want. Included with the software is that wonderful User Guide that Adobe still delivers with each program. There are over 300 pages packed full of step-by-step instructions on how to get the job done. It is an easy to read manual and offers many visual aids to make understanding so much easier.
When I opened the program for the first time I was quite pleased. Adobe has converted this program to look like other applications that I have been working with. The workspace is organized in the same manner as PhotoShopCS which I have been using with great success and enjoyment. When you are familiar with palettes and menus in one Adobe program, it is that much easier to work with others that are using the same interface. But, with a single click you can change the pallet into the previous GoLive format. If you have been working with previous versions of GoLive, there is a lot to be familiar with. They have kept the well- organized site window which is like a file cabinet that keeps all the individual files and components together so that you have easy access to everything.
For the more organized web designer, there is an entire chapter on creating site diagrams that help you develop a web site and share the concept with others. There is a pallet for working with the design aspect and includes everything you need in the designing step. You can then present this to others for review and comments. This is one aspect that I have never used as I like to just jump in and start creating. I don’t share the design process with anyone so it is easier for me to just work on the individual pages without a formal diagram. I sometimes will make a list of what I want to include, but diagrams are too formal for me as a hobbyist.
When I work with GoLive, I like to keep the “site” window open on the lower portion of my screen so I can be just a click away from anything that I need in the web page creation. When I open a new blank page and begin to create, the palettes on the left side allow me to drag and drop things on the page. I generally start with a grid which allows me to keep everything placed and aligned properly. Then I can choose from the many basic items that will be included on the page. As I hover on each icon on the palette, a text bubble appears which tells me exactly what the icon is for. This makes it easier for me to remember some of the lesser used functions that I might need on an occasional basis. When I add something to the web page that I am working on, an Inspector is available on the right side of the screen that allows me to have control over the individual area that I am working on. I can “point and shoot” a button to select a file, email address, or various other customization steps for that item.
There are also Smart Objects that can be included which allow you to add something from another Adobe program that will be updated as you update the item in its original state. Makes it much easier to keep current as you might make updates to a logo or other graphic element. You can open, edit and place Photoshop, Illustrator and PDF files, components such as a site navigator and actions on various parts of your page.
From this palette you can also design your site with frames which some web sites handle with ease. I have never used this function as I prefer to use a navigation bar and some browsers do not handle frames as well as others.
Forms can be created with ease from another palette and the instructions included in the manual give you step-by-step guidance. The one problem I encountered when I was creating a form had to do with getting the information that was entered on the form to be returned to me. This involved CGI scripts which are not for the novice. I was able to enlist the help of a “professional” web designer and got the problem solved. Many web hosts do have a variety of CGI scripts available for such actions. You need to check with your individual host to see what they offer and support.
In the “site” window are various tabs for the different items in your site. They include a page for files, external links (email addresses and URLs), colors that you are using as well as fonts. On the right side of the window are tabs for extras that you have created such as navigation components, diagrams, libraries and your site trash where everything that you deleted is kept in case you might want to retrieve something you pitched in error. At some later time you might want to go into the trash and delete old files. I never do this until a later date, the same way I empty my recycle bin after a period of time has lapsed since I might change my mind and need something I had discarded.
There is a tab for publishing your files which has always worked very effectively for me. It allows me to connect to my server with a simple right mouse click, upload files based on my preferences (modified, selected, synchronize), download files, etc. There is complete control with just a few clicks. When finished, I simply disconnect as I don’t want to tie up the server when it is not necessary.
Also included are 58 professionally designed templates that you can use to create your web page or give you some fantastic ideas that you can incorporate in your design. There are also more high end capabilities such as working with XML and source code. You can also have others contribute content with the new Co-Author mode. This requires a separate GoLive CoAuthor software license.
Adobe GoLiveCS is full of features that make web page creation quick and easy to learn and yet offers some more advanced features to attract the professional web creator. It continues to get my vote as one of the best I have ever used and it just keeps getting better.
System requirements
Intel® Pentium® III or 4 processor
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 3 or Windows XP (Adobe applications on Windows XP with Service Pack 2)
128MB of RAM (192MB recommended)
200MB of available hard-disk space
CD-ROM drive
QuickTime 6.3 with the QuickTime 3GPP Component required for multimedia features
You can get complete information about Adobe products from their web site at www.adobe.com. The street price for GoLiveCS is $399 with an upgrade price of $169 for owners of previous versions of GoLive.
Copyright 2004. This article is from the October 2004 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/
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