DreamweaverMX Tutorials

When you open DreamweaverMX, it will automatically create a new HTML document. The keyboard shortcut to open a new document manually is the same as that for any other Windows-type applicaton: C*+N [where C* = control (win)/command (mac)].

The resulting Dialog window gives you the option of creating a basic HTML document, a template, or a variety of other types of documents (see below)

If you have a small monitor (or low resolution), you may want all of the desktop to be devoted to the Document Window. If that is the case, use F4 to close the Panel Group.

File Names
When saving your files, give them meaningful (human readable) file names. File names should not include blank spaces or special characters. They should not be all CAPS (shouting!) and ideally should be lower case.

The file name index.html has particular significance; most Web servers recognize this as the default "home page" for a directory.

Some servers have been configured to display all directory contents if there is no index file; others are blocked by the server. There are pros and cons to each method. The UW servers allow what is known as "virtual listing" -- the display of folder contents when there is no index file.