Most developers use Dreamweaver, and many are asking if it makes sense to upgrade to the latest version, Dreamweaver CS3. The best way to answer that question for yourself is to download the 30-day free trial version, but here is our opinion.

We use both Dreamweaver and Fireworks, and the cost to upgrade both programs would be $348.00, plus tax and shipping ($199 for Dreamweaver and $149 for Fireworks). From what we have seen so far, there are not enough improvements in either program to justify that expense, but there is another option that you should consider.

If you currently own Macromedia Studio 8, MX 2004, MX, Adobe Creative Suite 2.x or 1.x Premium or Standard, you can upgrade to Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium for $499.00, plus tax and shipping. CS3 Web Premium includes Dreamweaver CS3, Flash CS3 Professional, Photoshop CS3 Extended, Illustrator CS3, Fireworks CS3, Acrobat 8 Professional, Contribute CS3, Bridge CS3, Version Cue CS3, and Device Central CS3. If you use, or would like to use, three or more of those programs, $499 is a great price and, if you are eligible, you should upgrade to CS3 Web Premium. In our opinion, getting the latest versions of Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, and Photoshop for $499 is too good to pass up.

One caution: many people are having trouble installing the CS3 Web Premium upgrade. We understand that Adobe technicians are working to resolve the problems, but you might want to wait a while before ordering CS3 Web Premium upgrade.

While browsing a Dreamweaver newsgroup earlier today, we came across an announcement of Jelly form, ”…the latest, easiest PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) form that installs as easy as jelly goes down.”  According to the Jelly form site, they have eliminated the need to search around for a secure, valid form to deliver your forms data directly to your email.

Jelly form comes in two different versions: lite and premium. Both versions are completely free, but the premium requires registration. With premium, you’ll get:

• validation of text boxes (included in lite)
• validation of select boxes (included in lite)
• validation of text areas (included in lite)
• validation of radio buttons
• validation of check boxes
• carbon-copy option
• SMS (Short Message Service) notification
• priority technical support

We set up a site to test Jelly form, and it would be appreciated if you would visit the site, test the form, and let us know what you think.  The test site is located here.

 

I think most of us have used scrollers on sites.  A horizontal or vertical scroller is a good way to display lists such as news items, events, ads, etc.  Take a look at the Tigra Scroller – it’s easy to set up and configure, it’s versatile, and it’s free.