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Opening Dreamweaver and Setting Defaults

Dreamweaver starts up like any other application. Use the method you like to start programs and open Dreamweaver. You will see many open windows called "panels". Only the following two panels are needed in addition to the main "edit" window to get started:

1. Properties
2. Files

To turn the other panels off:

1. go to the "Window" menu
2. uncheck any panel except the ones above
3. repeat steps 1 and 2 until only the two panels are open in addition to the main "edit" window

Before we get started adding content to the page, let's make one change to the program.

1. go to the "Edit" ("Dreamweaver" on Mac) menu
2. choose "Preferences..."

You should get something like the image to the right (Mac screenshot). My preferences have already been set for the way I work, so please don't expect your dialog box to have the same settings. Windows users please note there are some differences in the preferences window, but not the layout or terminology used.

The left hand column will always be named "Category." The right hand column will have the same name as the category currently selected. The current category selected is "General" and that is also the name of the right hand column.

The item to change is under "Panels".

1. click on "Panels" in the "Category" column
2. uncheck all boxes except for "Properties"
3. click "OK"

This will make sure your editing window is not hidden by any panel. The exception is the "Properties" panel which gets used often when working in Dreamweaver and should remain accessible.

To help make your web pages accessible to adaptive technology (e.g., screen readers, etc.):

1. click on "Accessibility" in the "Category" column
2. check all boxes
3. click "OK"

This is all that needs to be set for now. As you work with Dreamweaver, you may want to change some of these settings. Until then, let's move on to "Adding and Changing Your Content" and add some content!

Making Your First Web Page with Dreamweaver Workshop Navigation

1. Making Your First Web Page with Dreamweaver Workshop
2. Opening Dreamweaver and Setting Defaults
3. Adding and Changing Your Content
4. Absolute and Relative Links
5. Naming Files for the Web
6. Viewing Your Web Page in a Browser
7. Creating a Site
8. Letting the World See Your Page
9. Setting Preferences
10. Basic Web Page Exercise
11. Web Design References

• ITSS Training Homepage